BC Attorney General mum on liquor law changes following raids
Posted January 26, 2018 4:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC’s attorney general isn’t giving any hints on possible changes to the province’s liquor laws following a raid and whiskey seizures at four BC restaurants last week.
The province appointed Mark Hicken as a liquor policy advisor to review the current laws and offer recommendations, if any, or possible changes.
“I personally, I think as a matter of fairness it’s important for bars and restaurants to be able to access the products that their consumers are looking for (and) to do it legally,” Minister David Eby said.
However, he is not saying whether he supports a change to allow restaurants to buy specialty products from private retailers when they are unable to buy small quantities through the province.
The bars were buying small quantities of specialty whiskey products from a private retailer in Alberta. Legislation dictates all liquor brought into BC must be purchased through the province, but restaurant owners say the law has barely been enforced in decades.
Eby says the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) must investigate all complaints made against businesses and he has no control over day-to-day operations.
“There is a policy in place, which I fully support,” he said.
Until recommendations are made, the restaurant owners may be on the hook for fines.
