B.C. Civil Liberties Association weighs in on liquor licensing debate

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      The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is calling for change to provincial rules that prohibit people from drinking alcohol while watching films at licensed venues.

      Earlier in February, the B.C. government responded to a public outcry over the ban on movie theatres serving liquor by relaxing the regulations.

      With the change, licensed venues that host live events are now able to screen films outside the hours they are permitted to sell alcohol.

      However, the BCCLA today (February 20) urged the B.C. government to take more action to address problems with the liquor regulations.

      BCCLA president Robert Holmes outlined concerns about the restrictions in an open letter to Rich Coleman, the minister responsible for liquor.

      Holmes challenged the apparent rationale for the restrictions—concern about youth having access to alcohol in a darkened theatre.

      He questioned why—at licensed events where admission is adults-only—alcohol should be banned because of the type of entertainment offered.

      “The singling out of movies for this bizarre rule that seems to have no logical connection to its intended purpose appears to promote certain types of entertainment over others as government policy,” the letter reads.

      “One would assume, for example, that the government would be seeking to promote cultural film screenings.”

      The BCCLA urged the government to further update the rules so people can choose their drink and entertainment “without government interference”.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      MG Stevens

      Feb 20, 2012 at 1:52pm

      Ooh...The pack has truly sensed the weakness and is harassing the prey until they bring it down. It's like watching a NatGeo wilderness special, with the additional benefit that the prey is a puritanical, disconnected-from-reality government and having it forced to actually listen to the electorate rather than special interest is glee-inspiring at the very least...

      It'd be great to watch this in a dark theatre, with a beer of course.

      Jiff

      Feb 20, 2012 at 3:00pm

      I guess it's just coincidence that adults can quaff away in front of sensitive, impressionable youths at hockey games and other government-approved corporate events.

      Then again, with bars and pubs increasingly being little more than restaurants with beer taps where kids are now allowed - who are we protecting exactly?

      Parasites

      Feb 20, 2012 at 11:06pm

      How does this issue have any relation to the BC Civil Liberties Association? Oh right - it is an opportunity for them to chase headlines.

      Maude

      Feb 21, 2012 at 2:17am

      ...debate...? I think everyone sensible and with travel experience is on the same page about BC Liquor laws.