Proponents of Ponoka’s business hours bylaw have suggested the safety issue is in over-serving and selling liquor to someone who is already drunk. Ponoka News spoke with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) to determine how it deals with this issue.
“Certainly there are requirements under the law with regards to not serving anybody that appears to be intoxicated,” said Jody Korchinski, director of communications. “That would be a violation of AGLC’s laws and policies.”
The AGLC requires training for licencees and staff of liquor establishments to deal with patrons. “We do try to train staff to recognize signs of intoxication and educate them as to what the law is.”
Korchinski was reluctant to give minimum penalty fines but provided the maximum amount — which is $250,000. “They can range from financial penalties and the loss of the liquor licence…It would certainly depend on many things.”
Some of those cost factors include the number of violations for an establishment and often the AGLC, police and bylaw officers work together to ensure compliance.
“All complaints are taken seriously and looked into,” she said.
Fines and rulings are made public as well as its laws and regulations. More information can be found at www.aglc.com.