Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors provides liquor licence consulting in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, and in select U.S. states.
This glossary is primarily based on British Columbia liquor license terminology. Where applicable, equivalent licence names and regulatory authorities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario are provided for reference.
A
Agent
A licensed individual or company that represents liquor manufacturers, promoting their products and taking wholesale orders from stores and licensees.
Amendment
A change to an existing liquor licence, such as hours of service, capacity, or service areas. In British Columbia, current licensees apply through the Province of B.C. process to amend a liquor licence.
Applicant
The individual or legal entity applying for a liquor licence, permit, or amendment.
Application Review
The regulator’s assessment of an application for completeness, eligibility, and suitability.
B
Background Check
A background check is an assessment conducted by a liquor regulatory authority that includes a criminal record check and a review of an individual’s history and associations to determine their eligibility and suitability to hold or be associated with a liquor licence or approval.
Bar Service Area
A defined area within licensed premises where liquor service is permitted.
Building Code Compliance
Meeting applicable building and safety requirements for licensed use.
C
Capacity
The maximum number of patrons permitted to be present in a licensed area at any one time, as authorized by the licence and applicable regulations.
Catering Endorsement
Authorization to sell and serve liquor at approved off-site events.
Change of Ownership
A change in business ownership that may require licence transfer or approval.
Compliance
Operating in accordance with liquor legislation and licence conditions.
Conditions of Licence
Specific requirements attached to a liquor licence that govern operation.
D
Development Permit
A municipal land-use approval required for certain liquor-licensed locations.
Direct Delivery
A distribution method where product is delivered directly from an approved source.
Disciplinary Action
Regulatory action taken in response to non-compliance.
Distribution Channel
The approved system through which liquor is supplied and purchased.
E
Enforcement Action
A formal measure taken by the authority responsible for overseeing liquor licenses in response to non-compliance with liquor legislation, licence terms, or conditions, which may include warnings, monetary penalties, licence suspensions, or other regulatory consequences.
Establishment Type
The licence category that determines how liquor may be sold or served.
Event-Based Liquor Service
Liquor service authorized for a specific event rather than ongoing operation.
F
Food-Primary Licence (BC)
A licence for establishments where food service is the primary business activity. In B.C., terms and conditions are outlined in the Food Primary Licence Terms and Conditions Handbook.
Equivalent licence names in other provinces:
Floor Plan Approval
Acceptance of a submitted plan identifying licensed areas and service points.
G
General Manager
A senior operational role referenced in licensing and compliance contexts.
Government Store
A liquor retail outlet operated by a government authority.
H
Hours of Liquor Service
The approved times during which liquor may be sold or served.
I
Inspector (Compliance Inspector)
An authorized official who inspects liquor-licensed establishments to verify compliance with liquor laws, licence terms, and conditions.
Inventory Reconciliation
The process of matching inventory records to physical stock on hand.
L
Licence Term
The period for which a liquor licence is valid.
License Terms and Conditions
The specific requirements imposed on a liquor licence that govern how the licensed establishment may operate.
Licence Transfer
The process of moving a licence to a new legal entity.
Licensee
The individual or entity that holds the liquor licence and is legally responsible for compliance.
Licensee Retail Store (Private Liquor Store) (BC)
A licence authorizing a private business to sell packaged liquor for off-site consumption. In B.C., see Licensee Retail Store.
Equivalent licence names in other provinces:
Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB)
The British Columbia government authority responsible for liquor licensing, compliance, and enforcement. See LCRB and the Province of B.C. page for liquor and cannabis regulation.
Equivalent regulatory authorities:
Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB)
In BC, the LDB is separate from the licensing authority (Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch), and is responsible for liquor distribution, wholesale purchasing, pricing, and government retail operations. See BC Liquor Distribution Branch and LDB Wholesale Operations.
Liquor distribution authorities in other provinces:
Licensed Supplier
An approved supplier authorized to sell liquor through regulated distribution systems.
Local Government Approval
Authorization from a local government authority, such as a municipality or Indigenous nation, confirming that a liquor-licensed establishment may operate at a specific location. Public consultation may be a required part of the approval process.
M
Minor
A person under the legal drinking age in the province in which the liquor licensee operates.
Minors as Agents
A compliance program in which supervised minors are used as “secret agents” to assess age-verification and access-control practices at liquor-licensed establishments. Minor Agents are accompanied by an adult, authorized inspector who remains out of sight during the interaction.
Minimum Pricing
Rules establishing minimum allowable retail prices.
Monetary Penalty
A financial penalty imposed for specific contraventions.
N
Notice of Enforcement
A notice from the licensing authority to the licensee indicating that an enforcement action will be taken for non-compliance with regulations or license terms and conditions.
Notice of Intent
A public notice required for certain applications or amendments.
O
Off-Site Sale
Liquor sold for consumption away from the licensed premises.
On-Site Consumption
Liquor consumed within the approved licensed area.
P
Patron
A customer who purchases or consumes liquor.
Permanent Change to Liquor Licence
A permanent amendment to liquor licence terms and conditions. In B.C., permanent and other changes are managed through the Province of B.C. process to amend a liquor licence.
Private Liquor Store
An industry term for a privately operated retail liquor outlet.
Product Listing
Approval for a product to be ordered or sold through wholesale systems.
Product Recall
The removal of a product from sale due to safety or compliance concerns.
Product Registration
The process of approving products within a regulated distribution framework.
Public Consultation
A process required by a municipality or local Indigenous nation to gather community input when reviewing a liquor licence application or amendment. The consultation helps the jurisdiction assess public opinion, including fit, neighbourhood impacts, and effects on nearby businesses.
Public Notice
A notice posted by a liquor licence applicant or licensee, as required by a municipality or local Indigenous nation, usually through newspaper publication and on-site signage, to inform the public of a licence application or amendment and invite community input.
R
Responsible Beverage Service
Practices intended to prevent service to minors and intoxicated patrons.
Rural Liquor Store (BC)
A retail licence type intended for certain rural or remote communities. In B.C., see Apply for a Rural Licensee Retail Store (RLRS) licence.
S
Serving It Right
British Columbia’s mandatory responsible service training program. See Serving It Right (B.C.) and the course site Responsible Service BC.
Equivalent responsible service training programs:
- Alberta: ProServe
- Saskatchewan: Serve It Right Saskatchewan
- Ontario: Smart Serve
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A product reference code used by liquor retailers and wholesalers to identify specific beverage products for purchasing, inventory management, and sales tracking.
Special Event Permit (BC)
Authorization to sell or serve liquor at a specific event. In B.C., see Apply for a liquor Special Event Permit and the portal entry point Special Event Permits Online.
Equivalent permits in other provinces:
Special Order
A request for product not normally stocked.
Stock-Out
A temporary lack of inventory for a product.
Suspension
A temporary loss of authority to sell or serve liquor.
T
Terms and Conditions
Rules attached to a licence that govern operation.
Temporary Change to Licence
A time-limited amendment to licence terms.
W
Wholesale Pricing
Pricing applied when purchasing through wholesale channels. In B.C., see LDB Wholesale Operations: Access Wholesale Pricing.
Wholesale Purchase
The act of buying liquor through a regulated wholesale system.
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Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors works with liquor license applicants and licensees to navigate licensing requirements, approvals, and regulatory obligations.
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