More BC businesses will soon be able to sell alcohol.
As of January 23, the provincial government will allow businesses like barber shops, salons, and spas, cooking schools and bookstores to apply for a liquor primary license. Businesses that operate from a motor vehicle will not be eligible to sell liquor to minors will still be prohibited. Interested businesses will need to have any staff serving alcohol obtain serving it right licenses.
The new policy comes from recommendation 38 of the Liquor Policy Review, which has also expanded hours of operation for government liquor stores and brought wine to selected grocery stores.
“Since 2013, we’ve been working to modernize antiquated liquor laws,” says John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform. “We want the rules to complement businesses, not hinder them.”
So far, 48 of the 73 Liquor Policy Review recommendations have been implemented – ¼ of those focus on health, safety and social responsibility.
The review of the final 25 recommendations is ongoing.