July 10, 2008
Legislation To Address Safety Concerns In Licensed Establishments To Come Into Effect Aug. 1: Swan
Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Andrew Swan, minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), today announced that changes to the Liquor Control Act to address concerns of safety in licensed premises as well as meet the needs of the public and industry stakeholders will come into effect Aug. 1.
The legislation allows the MLCC to conduct safety evaluations of licensed premises and the flexibility to quickly close or prohibit the sale of liquor at a licensed premise in the event of a serious incident.
“We are pleased that we now have better tools to enhance public safety and help prevent violent incidents within licensed premises,” said Swan. “The changes coming into force will allow the MLCC the flexibility to immediately close a licensed premise where there are public interest concerns.”
The changes are based on recommendations made to government by industry and stakeholders in the December 2007 report Safety in Licensed Premises. The legislation was passed in the spring session.
Swan noted, in addition to the changes coming into force, the MLCC has already addressed some of the safety recommendations through regulation. Changes to the Liquor Licensing Regulation now require a licensee to notify the MLCC of the primary manager responsible for the licensed premise and to submit that individual to a criminal record check. An amendment to the Licence Application and Appeal Regulation now requires applicants for a cocktail lounge, beverage room, cabaret or spectator activities licence to submit a security plan as part of the licence application.
Amendments also coming into effect Aug. 1 include:
· a 60-minute vacating clause for cabarets similar to beverage rooms and cocktail lounges;
· requiring new licensed establishments include their maximum hours of liquor service on public notices;
· authorizing the licensing board or MLCC board of commissioners to impose significant fines for breaches of the act;
· allowing liquor suppliers to donate rare or expensive products to charities for fundraising auctions;
· allowing the sale and auction of estate liquor collections;
· allowing minors to be accompanied by a parent, spouse or guardian in a beverage room during family-oriented events approved by the MLCC; and
· increasing the service amount to a patron at one time in a licensed premise to two drinks, providing set volume amounts are not exceeded.
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Backgrounder
Liquor Act Amendments Coming Into Force Aug. 1 - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2008/2008july/MLCC..CTT.LC.doc