LCLB Report by Karen Ayers <strong>Liquor</strong>-Related Legislative Changes Government recently passed Bill 20, which included many liquor-related changes intended to enhance public safety, modernize our legislation, and de-regulate aspects of the liquor hospitality industry. Some of the changes took effect on June 3, 2010. Others will come into effect by regulation. <strong>The</strong> following changes that are already in effect may be of interest to you: • Licensees may pre-mix drinks. This is meant to accommodate mixing equipment like Bellini machines and preparing popular mixed drinks ahead of time. • Gaming regulations have been consolidated within the Gaming Act, and will be regulated by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch. However, the LCLB will maintain restrictions on gaming where it is appropriate for the type of licence, e.g. social occasion casinos won’t be permitted in food primary establishments. • All licensees may sponsor community activities and events - previously only liquor manufacturers could sponsor events. • LCLB may suspend or impose terms and conditions on a licence for up to 14 days, without a hearing, in extraordinary circumstances - intended only where there are significant public safety concerns. While we expect this power will be used very infrequently, it will be a valuable tool for protecting public safety in those cases. • LCLB and police may hire minors to help monitor compliance with ID checking rules. Minors would be under supervision and not allowed to consume alcohol. This is to address the low compliance rate among some licensees for checking ID, given that liquor service to minors is a public safety risk. In addition, changes of interest to you that will require regulations before coming into force include: • Provision to permit ownership links between liquor manufacturers and licensees beyond what is presently permitted to provide additional investment and marketing opportunities for both groups. • Provision to modernize trade practice relationships between liquor manufacturers and licensees. <strong>The</strong> rules governing how liquor manufacturers can promote their products within licensed establishments will be relaxed. • Provisions for greater control over who may obtain a special occasion licence and where the event may be held, and for holding special occasion licence holders accountable for infractions, i.e. subject to LCLB enforcement and penalties just like permanent licensees. • Provision to licence agency stores, e.g. rural agency, manufacturer, and private wine stores, and hold them to the same compliance and enforcement rules as other private liquor retail outlets. LCLB will consult with stakeholders on the development of these regulations and policies before they go forward. Many of these initiatives will not be implemented for a number of months to allow us time to consult. A complete list of the changes to the <strong>Liquor</strong> Control and Licensing Act are on our website at www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/lclb. LIQUOR SERVING SIZES <strong>The</strong> purpose of the maximum single serving size rules is to encourage moderate consumption at all times and avoid over-serving patrons. Concerns have been expressed that the previous serving size rules did not allow for serving a pint of draught beer and that the basis for the different serving sizes for different categories of liquor was unclear. A standard drink in Canada contains 13.6 grams of ethyl alcohol, which is approximately equivalent to one 12 oz (340ml) beer containing 5% alcohol, one 5 oz (142ml) glass of wine containing 12% alcohol, and 1.5 oz (42.6ml) of spirits containing 40% alcohol. <strong>The</strong>se revised serving sizes better reflect the alcohol content of different types of liquor by attempting to equalize the amount of alcohol that is contained in the different types of liquor. Revised Serving Size Policy <strong>The</strong> following are the maximum drink sizes, which can be served to patrons at one time: Distilled liquor: Drinks containing distilled liquor (spirits) must not contain more than three fluid ounces (85ml) of distilled liquor. Drinks that two or more patrons intend to share may be served in larger containers, but the maximum of three fluid ounces per person must be maintained. Whole bottles of distilled liquor must not be served or sold. (<strong>The</strong>re has been no change to the serving sizes for distilled liquor.) 6 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pub</strong>lican from LCLB Policy Directive 10-04 Draught beer: Draught beer may be served in single servings of no more than 24 oz (680ml) or smaller servings of multiple brands, provided the total served at one time is no more than 24 oz (680ml). (A Canadian pint is 20 oz or 568ml.) Pitchers or other multiple serving containers shared by two or more patrons may contain no more than 1.5 litres of draught beer. Bottled beer: A maximum of two standard-sized or one large-sized (up to 24 oz or 680ml) bottle of beer may be served to a single patron at one time. Wine: Wine may be served in single servings of 10 oz (285ml) or in smaller servings of multiple brands provided the total served at one time is no more than 10 oz (285ml). Wine may also be served by the standard 750ml bottle if it is to be consumed by at least two people and with food. Wine may also be served in non-refillable containers up to 1.5 litres or in refillable containers up to 1.5 litres (with approval for the container from the <strong>Pub</strong>lic Health Protection Branch of the Ministry of Health), and subject to these serving size rules. <strong>The</strong>se are maximum serving sizes; licensees may continue to serve smaller servings, which fit their existing glassware. Further information regarding liquor control and licensing in <strong>BC</strong> is available on the <strong>Liquor</strong> Control and Licensing Branch website at www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/lclb. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the <strong>Liquor</strong> Control and Licensing Branch toll free in Canada at 1-866-209-2111 or 250-387-1254 if calling from the Victoria area.
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