Liquor Licence Act
Huge fines
Fines of up to $500,000 can be levied against a corporation for breach of the following offences:
- sale or supply of liquor to a person who is, or appears to be, under the age of 19
- knowingly allowing a person who is, or appears to be, under the age of 19 to have or consume liquor in licensed premises
- permitting a person who is, or appears to be, under the age of 19 to make beer at a brewery or wine at a winery
An individual found guilty of the above offences faces a fine of up to $200,000 and/or one year in jail.
Other offences under the Liquor Licence Act attract corporate fines of up to $250,000 and individual penalties of fines up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail. Such offences include:
- selling liquor or permitting its sale without a licence
- operating a brewery or winery (ferment on premise facility) without a licence
- selling or supplying liquor to a person who is or appears to be intoxicated
Violations of provisions under the Liquor Licence Act can lead to administrative penalties including restrictions on the sale of liquor, temporary closure orders and even revocation of a liquor licence.
Public Intoxication
Under the act it’s illegal to have or consume liquor in any place other than a residence, premises with a liquor licence or permit, and private places such as motor homes and house boats.
The act makes it an offence to be intoxicated in a public place. Police can arrest you for this offence without a warrant if they think it’s necessary for your safety.
Unless you have a licence or permit, you cannot drive or have the care or control of a motor vehicle including a snowmobile if it contains liquor in an open, unsealed container or is not packed in baggage that is fastened closed or is otherwise not readily available to anyone in the vehicle.
