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According to an InfoTel news article of July 14, 2025, LCRB compliance and enforcement has ramped up sting operations involving the Minors as Agents Program (MAP). The program sends underage agents, accompanied by an inspector, into a liquor licensee’s business to buy alcohol. If the agent is able to make the purchase, the business is fined for the infraction. For a first contravention, the licensee may choose between a $7,000 to $11,000 fine or a 7-11 day closure. Fines and closures for second and third offences increase from there up to $25,000 or 41 day suspension per occurrence. View the penalty table here.
In the article cited above, Ian Tostenson, President of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, tells the tale of one such sting operation. A server working for a restaurant that has been in business for 50 years, was distracted because they had received news that their child was taken to hospital. In that distraction, they inadvertently served a minor agent a beer. The restaurant couldn’t afford the fine so was forced to close for eight days. Tostenson added that the restaurant’s good track record and the extenuating circumstances were not considered.
Tostenson calls the heavy-handed, by-the-book fines and suspensions “mean spirited” and points out that the enforcement actions are hurting liquor licensees in an already struggling industry.
Recently, several BC liquor licensees have been caught in the MAP snare for failing to ask for identification and serving a minor.
- In May, a Rutland pub was fined $7,000 for serving an agent back in December.
- In May, a Vancouver Island restaurant was fined $7,000 for a one-time incident.
- In July, a North Vancouver restaurant was fined $7,000 for a first-time infraction.
- In July, Kelowna liquor store was fined $7,000 for serving a minor agent back in February.
Read about the Minors as Agents Program.
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