Beer garden rules to be loosened in B.C.
Government promises to adopt all 73 reforms recommended in review of provincial laws
The B.C. government says it will implement all 73 recommendations from its Liquor Policy Review, including relaxing the laws around beer gardens, wedding receptions and sports events.
The government has already announced it is implementing some of the recommendations, such as allowing happy hours in bar and letting kids be in pubs during certain hours.
On Friday it announced it was moving forward on several new elements, including:
- Eliminating the need for fencing around festival beer gardens and simplifying online applications.
- Allowing mixed drinks made from spirits like rum and vodka to be sold at big events like sports games.
- Allowing people to serve their own U-brew beer or wine, and mixed drinks at weddings and similar events with a special events licence.
- Extending room service hours in hotels and allowing guest to move more freely with them.
Attorney General Suzanne Anton says they will move as fast as possible to bring in the changes, and the new beer garden rules could be in effect this summer.
"Every one of these has to be worked through a certain regulatory process and it does take a little bit of time to do them, but as I said, all of the ones we announced today can happen more quickly."
As for the idea of liquor sales in grocery stores — the government says it is still moving in that direction — but needs to work out the details first.