Province endorses sweeping changes to liquor laws
Posted January 31, 2014 2:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The way you consume alcohol in this province is about to change drastically as the government continues to overhaul liquor laws.
The province will get rid of fenced in beer gardens, and if you’re hosting a wedding you can send people home with a bottle of homemade wine.
It has also approved the idea of selling booze in grocery stores, it just hasn’t said when or how it’ll happen. It’s just one of 73 recommendations the government is giving the thumbs up.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton says moving forward hotel guests will be allowed to carry open liquor. “Bringing a glass of wine from the lobby bar up to the room, that has not been legal until now. We’ll also be extending the hours that guests can order alcohol from their rooms.”
“The recommendation is to look at a model that will have liquor, beer and wind, and possible spirits available in grocery stores. The report does not have recommendations to go further to what are typically called, convenience stores,” says John Yap, who’s overseeing all these changes.
He adds they’re also looking into whether prices will fluctuate based on alcohol content. “We have announced that, what is referred to as Happy Hour, will be allowed but subject to a minimum pricing and also a minimum pricing that includes reference to alcohol content.”
The province is also streamlining changes like being able to drink hard liquor in your seat at stadiums and arenas and that includes Rogers Arena. “Be allowed to expand their selection so they can offer patrons a gin and tonic or a rum and coke while they watch a hockey game or a concert.”
Quick Facts:
- BC issues around 25,000 special occasion licences (SOLs) each year.
- According to the BC Hotel Association: Room sales alone in 2012 contributed $2.28 billion to BC’s economy. When food and beverage, as well as additional services, are factored in, the total contribution of the hotel industry to BC’s economy is $3 billion. Hotels employ 58,000 British Columbians through 44,000 full-time jobs and 14,000 part-time jobs.
