Questions You Should Ask Before Applying for a Liquor License in Canada

If your start-up business needs a liquor license in Canada, there are several questions you should ask before you apply. In Canada, liquor licenses are administered at the provincial level and each province has its own liquor license requirements and application processes. The lack of uniformity in the administration of licensing from province to province adds a layer of complexity that can throw a wet blanket on your start-up passions. You can’t use one province’s application as a template for others. While there is some requirement crossover, there are also many differences.

The following is a list of questions that you should ask and find answers to before you begin.

What is your business model?
For example, do you want to sell alcohol by the glass for on-site consumption or will customers buy liquor to consume off site? Knowing this information will help you or your liquor licensing consultant know what type of license is required. In British Columbia, if you want customers to purchase alcohol in a retail setting for consumption off-site, you need a private liquor store license, which in BC is called a “Licensee Retail Store” license.

What are the criminal record check requirements?
The province may require both a provincial criminal record check and Federal criminal and judicial matters check.

Where can I find licensing terms and conditions?
All provinces make licensing terms and conditions available to licensees and the general public. Once you’ve identified the liquor license you need, download the terms and conditions and read through them.

How long does it take for an application to be approved?
Processing times vary in each province from several weeks to several months. Finding out how long it take in the province in which you are applying can keep your start-up plan in sync with the time it takes for license approval.

Is a license application even available for your business type?
Check whether the license type is open for applications. Can you even apply? For example, in BC there is a moratorium on Liquor Primary license applications (for private liquor stores) until July 1, 2032, so the only way to start a liquor store in BC is to purchase a licensed liquor store.

What training is required?
All provinces require some form of responsible liquor service training, although specific requirements may differ, such as who must take the training (i.e. managers, servers, bussers, delivery drivers).

Who enforces liquor license requirements and what are the penalties?
While liquor license terms are enforced in all provinces, the means of enforcement and penalties are different in each province. For example, in BC, Inspectors make surprise visits to licensee establishments or investigate when an infraction is reported by the public. BC also has a Minor as Agents program where under-age “spies”, under the eye of an Inspector, attempt to purchase alcohol or be served alcohol. Enforcement is usually an escalated response from warning and a chance to correct, through to temporary suspension, fine or even license revocation.

Need a Liquor License in Canada? Consult with Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors

As you can see from the questions above, applying for a liquor license in Canada is complicated. Thrive’s liquor license consultants make it easier than you think! We have a detailed understanding of liquor license requirements in each province and can make sure the process goes smoothly without delays.