Premier Christy Clark announced December 17 that the BC government is in support of a second set of key changes to BC liquor regulations.
The changes are expected to help create opportunities for pubs, restaurants, small businesses and Royal Canadian Legions. The new regulations will allow more options for families to dine, while continuing to protect public safety.
In keeping with one of the primary intentions of the liquor law restructuring, Clark said the change will create additional convenience for consumers and will provide businesses flexibility to grow.
“The government will be introducing happy hour to BC,” she said. “To make sure liquor rules better reflect how British Columbians live, families soon will have the freedom to eat together in BC’s pubs, Legions and restaurants.”
Other changes that will benefit the hospitality industry include simplified, common-sense licencing rules. If patrons don’t wish to eat they will no longer be required to order food when they are in a food-primary establishment. Also, customers will be permitted to move freely with their beverage from one adjoining licensed area to another.
The province will further increase flexibility around licencing by giving liquor-primary establishments and clubs, such as Legions, the option to accommodate minors up until a certain hour in the evening. This means, for example, that parents will be able to take their children for a bite to eat at a pub or to enjoy some music at a Legion that opts to be family-friendly.
“These changes are about updating antiquated licencing rules to reflect what British Columbians actually want, while continuing to protect public safety,” said Clark. “Families should be able to dine together in their neighbourhood pub. Consumers should be free to order whatever they want in a restaurant. These are exactly the kind of common-sense changes to BC’s liquor laws we promised to make—and we’re keeping that promise.”
Paddy Treavor, who recently opened up a Powell River branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and is current president of the Vancouver branch, said of the recent proposed changes that he was glad to see the BC liquor board was actually listening when officials were gathering information for their policy review. “I actually made some of the points that became proposed changes in the system,” he said. “I’m quite happy with the changes. It will streamline the process and take out some of the old ridiculous laws that were in place and clear up some of the grey area between restaurants and pubs. Personally, I think they are moving toward a one-licence system where either you do serve alcohol or you don’t. There won’t be any grey area. Too, you’ll see places that will cater to a dinner crowd and then shift to a pub kind of atmosphere after dinner is finished.”
He added, “At the same time, I hope it doesn’t water down previously existing regulations. I think if they put these regulations in place and enforce them to deal with those who are in contravention of the laws, and treat the rest of us like adults, it’ll do much to streamline the process. It’s about modernizing the laws and that’s what I think they’re trying to do.”
Treavor said he believes that as a society, people need to have more respect for alcohol. “Back in my day alcohol was the forbidden fruit. When you were legal age you were able to drink if you wanted. I think if we can shift to a more European model there’s tremendous benefit. Overall, I’m really happy to see these steps taken toward reasonable measures being put into place.”
To enhance health and public safety, the province will also improve and expand BC’s responsible beverage service program, Serving it Right (SIR). Balancing these changes with health and safety in mind, the province will extend SIR to all hospitality industry workers who serve alcohol. This will include, for the first time, all servers in BC’s 5,600 licensed restaurants, as well as staff at BC liquor stores and rural agency and wine stores. A specialized version of SIR will be required for licensees and personnel who serve at special occasion licensed events, such as banquets or weddings.
Angus Stanfield, president of Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command, said he expects the changes will help to strengthen the command’s charitable giving for veterans, youth, seniors and the communities it serves.
With minimum drink pricing consistent with the views that parliamentary secretary John Yap heard from health advocates during the liquor policy review, the BC government will be opening the door to time-limited drink specials, such as happy hours. “I heard throughout my consultations—from pubs, restaurants, Legions and British Columbians—that licencing rules have become complicated and onerous over the years, and that they need to better match modern expectations,” said Yap. “These changes will address that call and strike a balance, as we increase convenience for families and the industry, ensure continued growth of BC businesses and continue to safeguard health and safety.”
It is anticipated that Yap’s report on the review will be publicly released prior to February 15, 2014, once cabinet has had the opportunity to fully consider its 70-plus recommendations.
