B.C. government makes more changes to provincial liquor regime

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      The B.C. government has taken further steps in its effort to update provincial liquor rules and support businesses that sell alcohol.

      Rich Coleman, the minister responsible for liquor regulation, announced a series of regulatory, policy, and other changes today (February 8).

      Under the new measures, brewers and distillers will be able to apply to have on-site tasting areas for their products, liquor producers will be able to serve their products in off-site establishments of theirs, and wine stores will be regulated by the same agency as other liquor retailers.

      Other measures will see local government input required when licensed establishments want to expand, and a provincial wine envoy is being named to promote products from B.C. vineyards.

      The latest changes to provincial liquor regime come after a series of other steps the B.C. government has taken over the past year. The province has already revised liquor rules for movie theatres, allowed diners to bring their own wine to restaurants for a fee, and introduced licensing for caterers.

      Many of the latest changes go into effect on March 1.

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Dave L.

      Feb 8, 2013 at 7:35pm

      Darn near time we joined the 21st Century

      Hazlit

      Feb 10, 2013 at 7:35pm

      Does this mean more brew pubs? Ugh!

      The B man

      Feb 11, 2013 at 11:35am

      "wine stores will be regulated by the same agency as other liquor retailers"

      That probably means that "Liquor Control and Licensing" or the Liqour Police will now have the power to inspect,entrap,impose fines,suspensions, closures and who knows what else on the 12 Independant Wine Stores.

      Lets hope not.