25 Jun
The LCRB are alerting licensees that they are coming after all businesses that failed a Minors as Agents Program inspection in the last 24 months.
All of those licensees can expect to be “retested” for compliance, and the penalties are now even more egregious.
When establishments commit a second contravention for the same issue within 24 months of a previously proven contravention, the penalty increases to reflect continued noncompliance. In the case of selling to minors, a second contravention has a monetary penalty in the range of $11,000 to $15,000 or a licence suspension of 11 to 15 days.
Rising Tide Consultants is completely opposed to the Minors as Agents Program and how the LCRB is operating it. To put this into perspective, the most serious offence under the regulation is the sale and service of liquor to an intoxicated person and allowing an intoxicated person to remain in a licensed establishment. The repercussions of this offence have the potential to lead to fatalities. The fine for this is only $3,000, and the inspector has discretion as to whether or not to impose a fine, give a warning or hold an enforcement meeting.
For serving a minor, there is an automatic $7,000 fine for a first offence, and the inspector has no discretion on whether they can impose a warning instead of issuing the fine.
We agree that the service of alcohol to minors should be addressed in all licensed establishments and that proper training, increased awareness, and protocols must be put in place. However, the penalties imposed are misaligned with the infraction. We urge the government to review the MAP and adjust how it is being carried out.
Rising Tide Consultants has spent countless hours researching this program, conducting audits for licensees and providing the necessary tools and procedures you need to pass a MAP inspection. We also provide you with all that you need for the defence of due diligence should you be caught in non-compliance.
As of now, the MAP inspections are going to continue, so contact us today. We are experts on this program, and we are here to help!
