BC’s government is reviewing its liquor policies and has opened up the process to residents throughout the province. The goal of the review is to identify balanced, common-sense solutions that improve consumer convenience and grow BC’s economy, while ensuring public health and safety. It is the first major liquor review to take place in over a decade and the first time since 1987 that a government has involved the voices of British Columbians.
The province’s liquor laws are often described as “draconian,” “byzantine” and “antiquated.” Many of the regulations have their roots in the prohibition era.
Some potential changes appear easy to bring about. Happy hours are common in the United States, but restaurants and bars in BC are not allowed to have them. Would anyone really have a problem with wineries having more than one tasting room? Does the province really need to restrict alcohol at outdoor festivals?
Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform John Yap is inviting British Columbians to get involved and to provide input through online discussions, on Twitter and using blog posts and other commentary platforms. The government set up a website to encourage input. Visitors to the site can also review submissions from stakeholders on changes they would like to see made and learn about the history of liquor laws in BC, as well as current policy.
Yap posts blogs on the site and encourages comments. His most recent blog post is asking for people’s opinions about allowing the sale of local craft beer, wine and spirits at farmers’ markets. Yap is also actively engaging with people around the province through social media during the review to hear their ideas and their stories and he posts video blogs from his travels.
There’s a Twitter Townhall scheduled from 6 to 7 pm on Sunday, September 29, so that more British Columbians can provide input on the future of liquor laws in the province. Participants should use the handle @John_yap and the hashtag #bcliquor.
The liquor policy review website will be live until October 31. Yap says he will take everything he has heard into account and use it to inform his report to Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton. The report will be presented at the end of November, then posted on the government website.
The review is not only a great opportunity to be involved. The process provides an excellent template for other levels of government to follow in order to engage residents and gather input about pressing issues.
