The B.C. government has uncorked another round of liquor-law reform, with happy-hour specials, children allowed in pubs and restaurants allowed to serve drinks without food — a move that has some Kamloops bar owners concerned.
Premier Christy Clark announced the changes at a downtown Vancouver restaurant on Tuesday, Dec. 17, as the provincial cabinet works its way through a list of 70 recommendations from a recent public consultation on updating B.C. liquor laws.
Arthur Dolmat, owner of Duffy’s Pub in Aberdeen, said he’s pleased to see happy hours coming to B.C., but noted the other changes are a cause for concern.
“Every year, there’s always something that they’re changing in the liquor industry and it decreases the value of my business,” he said.
“Having children in pubs? What are we doing? We’re levelling ourselves with restaurants. So, what is the value in owning a pub licence?
“I invested a lot of money into this business thinking, ‘This is going to be profitable when I retire.’ But, if I went to sell it today, it’s basically like selling a restaurant.”
Dino Bernardo, owner of the Commodore Grand Cafe and Lounge in downtown Kamloops, had similar feelings.
“We pay a premium for our liquor licence,” he said.
“Realistically, it’s de-valued our licence compared to what it used to be.”
But, Bernardo said, he’s going to wait and see what all the new liquor laws look like before he makes up his mind.
“I don’t mind their [the government’s] focus on liquor laws, because there are a lot of laws that were really antiquated,” he said.
“But, I want to reserve judgment until I’ve seen them all.”
As with earlier rounds of liquor reform, Tuesday’s event was short on details and long on populist appeal.
Some time next year, B.C. will see the changes and will join all other Canadian provinces in allowing pubs to offer discounted drinks for happy hour.
Permitted times and a minimum drink price are still to be determined.
Children are to be allowed to accompany their parents into pubs until an evening curfew time, also yet to be determined, but Clark said it will allow families to have lunch or dinner together at a pub.
Royal Canadian Legion branches will have the same freedom to admit underage family members.
Restaurants with food-primary licences will still have to offer a full menu when liquor is available, Clark said.
“But, customers who don’t want to order food shouldn’t be forced to do so and food primary businesses that want to fully transition away from food service after a certain hour and operate, for example, as a night club, will be able to apply for a special licence to do so.”
NDP critic Shane Simpson said the changes effectively erase the distinction between a licensed restaurant and a pub and are being announced for popular effect without any research to support them.
The province also intends to make its Serving it Right liquor training available to all servers in licensed restaurants, as well as to staff at B.C. Liquor Stores and rural agency and wine stores.
Licensees, managers, sales and serving staff “should also be required to re-certify,” according to a government news release.
Last week, Clark and Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap, who led the public consultation on liquor-law reform, announced regulations will be eased for winery tasting rooms.
Farm markets will also be allowed to offer samples and sales of locally made beer, wine and spirits.
