Vancouver's all-ages music scene looking at boost

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      Ryan McCormick is hoping that revamped B.C. liquor policies will translate to good news for the all-ages music scene.

      McCormick, a director with the Safe Amplification Site Society, said his group is excited about a proposed new liquor licence class for facilities, such as stadiums, arenas, and theatres, that charge a fee for events.

      The measure is among 73 changes recommended to liquor laws following a review by parliamentary secretary John Yap.

      “The thing that’s most exciting about that is it says that minors should be permitted to stay until the event ends, so assuming we’re reading this correctly, that means that [when] a venue like the Biltmore [is] having a concert, then minors would be allowed to go to that concert,” McCormick told the Straight by phone. "We think this is amazing."

      Other recommendations the organization received positively include allowing establishments with liquor primary licences to offer more liquor-free events for all ages, including concerts—a measure the group has been calling for.

      “That’s exactly what we’re asking for,” said McCormick. “It seems that somebody in the government has changed their mind about their policy from last year, and yeah, we applaud them. It takes guts to admit when you’re wrong.”

      According to information provided by B.C.’s Ministry of Justice, a “significant amount of policy work” is required before details on specific regulation changes are announced.

      Some changes to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act will be completed this legislative sitting, while others are expected to come later as part of a rewrite of the act.

      The provincial government announced its support for all 73 recommendations in the final report on B.C.’s liquor policy review last month. 

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