How Liquor Licensees Can Avoid Liquor License Compliance Infractions

Liquor license compliance is always important and when liquor licensees make the news after being fined for license infractions, it becomes more important than ever. During the past few months there has been an increase in significant fines levied against BC liquor licensees who contravene the law and liquor licensing terms and conditions.

The BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch has increased the use of sting operations involving the Minors as Agents Program. The program employs minors who attempt to purchase alcohol from liquor licensees (e.g. liquor stores, restaurants, bars). If the minor is served, a licensee can face hefty fines, temporary license suspension, or closure depending on the severity and number of infractions committed in the past. For a first liquor license contravention, licensees may choose between paying a $7,000 to $11,000 fine or 7-11 day closure.

In an article about recent liquor compliance sting operations, Ian Tostenson, President of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, says that in most cases there is an error, adding that “$7,000 is just about enough to put most businesses under”.

Compliance Training is Key

While we at Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors believe the vast majority of licensees never purposely side-step regulations, complacency can cost your business dearly. Read about LCRB compliance and enforcement.

You can take the following steps to keep your liquor license and business safe:

• Frequently remind employees about the importance of compliance
  Employees should know what a liquor license infraction could mean to the business. Employees also have a stake, because not only can compliance enforcement actions affect the business, they also can affect the employee’s livelihood in the case of temporary or permanent closures.
• Develop an in-house compliance training program
  In addition to mandatory Serving it Right training, develop a training manual and in-house hands-on training program that are mandatory for new employees. Manuals and training could be provided to new hires during employee onboarding.
• Create daily compliance checklists
  Create a one-page liquor license compliance checklist that employees must review at the beginning of their shift. The checklist may also be referred to when an employee is in doubt about how to handle a situation such as a minor attempting to purchase alcohol, an adult attempting purchase alcohol for a minor, or serving an intoxicated patron.
• Have a team huddle at the start of shifts
  At the beginning of an employee’s shift, a manager should remind them to ask for two pieces of ID when there is even the smallest doubt that the patron is an adult. They should also carefully examine any ID. Let the employee know that not only do they have a duty to refuse service to minors, but that minor agents may attempt to purchase alcohol.

Consult with Liquor Licensing Compliance Experts at Thrive Advisors

Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors makes protecting your liquor license and business from liquor license compliance infractions easier than you think! Our consultants can guide the development of compliance training programs and materials.