Last call for cheap drinks in Alberta

The Alberta government is implementing new liquor rules, including minimum drink prices, in an effort to curb binge drinking and bar violence.

Starting Aug. 1, the province will eliminate cheap drink specials, regulate the duration of "happy hours," and limit the quantity of last-call orders, according to a Thursday news release outlining amendments to Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission policies.

"We've been seeing a kind of steady incline in violence in and around bars, and it's a concern to all Albertans, and so these are just some measures we're putting in place to encourage them to drink more responsibly," said Fred Lindsay, solicitor general and minister of public security.

The new rules set a minimum price for liquor, including $2.75 per 12 ounce bottle/can of beer, cider or cooler, and $3.20 per 20 imperial ounce pint of beer.

Under new restrictions on happy hours — where bars and restaurants slash drink prices to as low as $1 to attract customers — drinks cannot be sold for less than the regular menu price after 8 p.m.

Limits on drink orders will kick in after 1 a.m. when patrons will be limited to two standard servings (one ounce of liquor per highball or one bottle or can of beer) per order, and they can no longer have more than two drinks in their possession.

"These changes have great potential to reduce the public order problems associated with binge drinking," said Mike Shimka, vice-president of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association.

"Most of us would never guzzle a tray full of cheap highballs just before closing time, but many of us have shared a sidewalk with someone who has. These new changes should make closing times outside bars a lot more peaceful."

In May, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach said his government was working on new rules to limit alcohol consumption in bars after two Edmonton police officers were attacked as they tried to break up a fight outside a downtown bar.