September 12, 2000
REVIEW PANEL RECOMMENDS
CHANGES TO LIQUOR CONTROL ACT
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Report Calls For
Sunday Sale of Liquor
Diane McGifford, minister responsible for the administration of the Liquor Control Act, announced today that she has received a report from the public review of the Liquor Control Act that presents 44 recommendations for changes in legislation, regulations or policies.
"The government greatly appreciates the efforts of those members of the public who shared their views, and of the review panel which compiled this report. We will be considering the recommendations carefully," McGifford said. "Recommendations such as the sale of alcohol on Sundays carry some major implications. The report will assist us in making changes to help the hospitality industry grow and prosper while encouraging the safe, responsible consumption of alcohol."
Among the recommendations included in the report are:
- Alcohol sales to be allowed by retail beer vendors, liquor vendors and liquor stores on Sundays.
- Liquor service to be allowed in all licensed premises on Sundays.
- Standard hours for licensed premises from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week, with a half-hour extension of the vacating time following "last call." All hours are subject to municipal approval.
- Enhancing qualifications and responsibilities for liquor licensees to make them more accountable to the public and allowing for the suspension or cancellation of licences at problem premises.
- Restructuring the offences and penalties under the Liquor Control Act to make enforcement of problems such as serving minors more effective.
Proposals that the review panel rejected include allowing grocery stores to sell alcohol beverage products and allowing people under the age of 18 to serve liquor.
The review, led by Manitoba Liquor Control Commission chair Carmen Neufeld, held public meetings in Winnipeg, Brandon, Gimli, Thompson, The Pas, Morden and Beausejour from June 17 to 27 before compiling its report. The public meetings were attended by a total of 236 individuals. The panel heard 51 verbal presentations and received 34 written submissions. It considered over 100 proposed changes in legislation, regulations or policies, which resulted in 44 recommendations for changes.
"The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission works with the Liquor Control Act each and every day and the members have a good understanding of its strengths and weaknesses," Neufeld said. "The effectiveness of our review was due in large part to the input we gained from industry stakeholders, community groups, associations and the people of Manitoba. Every voice was heard; every point of view was raised and considered.
"In making our recommendations, we aimed to achieve two things--providing better service to Manitobans while maintaining a responsible balance of liquor control. We take very seriously our social responsibility to discourage consumption by minors and pregnant women as well as excessive consumption and driving while impaired," she concluded.
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