The B.C. government launched a consultation on how to reform the province's liquor laws by sending letters on August 7 to what it calls "major stakeholders."
Parliamentary secretary for liquor policy reform John Yap's letters ask for written feedback and ideas for change. In the next few weeks, letters are expected to be sent to more than 10,000 liquor licensees and liquor agency store owners.
"I know many British Columbians have a lot of opinions and our government is open to hearing them as we move forward in this process," said Yap.
He will follow this feedback by meeting with industry, local governments, First Nations, police and health and social policy associations in September and October.
In the consultation's second stage, a liquor policy review website will be launched in September and will provide a platform for the B.C. public to provide feedback.
Yap is then expected to submit a report to Attorney General Suzanne Anton by November 25. That report will also be released to the public.
The B.C. government said in a press release that the goal of the consultation is to find practical, responsible solutions that improve consumer convenience and grow B.C.'s economy while ensuring public safety.
The government release noted some liquor laws that it currently deems to be "limitations to convenience and economic activity."
Those include:
- not allowing minors that are accompanied by a parent or guardian into pubs that serve food during daytime hours;
- not allowing wines and other local liquor to be sold at farmers' markets;
- not allowing establishments like spas to be eligible for licensing permits; and
- taking upwards of a year to obtain a licence for bars and pubs.
Business in Vancouver recently reported on industry advocates urging government to allow restaurant owners to alter the price of a drink during the day and for winery owners to open a second tasting room to sell direct to the public.
