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| This archived statute consolidation is current to November 2, 1999 and includes changes enacted and in force by that date. For the most current information, click here. |
[Updated to November 2, 1999]
Contents
Section | ||
1 (1) In this Act:
"agency store" means a liquor store operated by an agent appointed under section 18 (5) of the Liquor Distribution Act;
"agent" means
(a) an agent of a liquor manufacturer,
(b) an agent of a liquor importer, or
(c) an importer;
"appeal board" means the Liquor Appeal Board continued under section 30;
"branch" means the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch continued under section 2;
"charitable purpose" means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion and other purposes beneficial to the community, and includes the advancement of the following:
(a) recreation;
(b) sports or athletics;
(c) aid to the disabled and handicapped;
(d) culture;
(e) youth or senior citizens;
"club" means a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia
(a) that has been in continuous operation as a club for at least one year immediately before the date of its application for a licence under this Act,
(b) that has not less than 50 members,
(c) whose members pay an annual membership fee of not less than $10,
(d) that has prime objects or purposes of a social, athletic, recreational, fraternal, benevolent or patriotic nature,
(e) that has its own facilities,
(f) that is not operated primarily for pecuniary gain, and
(g) that does not sublet its catering or the sale of liquor,
and includes a veterans club;
"consume", in relation to liquor, includes putting liquor to any use, by drinking or otherwise;
"establishment" means a place or premises that may comply with the requirements of this Act and the regulations prescribing the qualifications of a place or premises for which licences may be issued, and includes within such a place or premises any area where liquor is manufactured, stored or served;
"general manager" means the general manager of the branch appointed under section 3;
"licence" or "permit" means a licence or permit issued under this Act or the regulations;
"licensed establishment" means an establishment licensed under this Act;
"licensee" means a person licensed under this Act to sell liquor and includes
(a) a person carrying on the business of a brewery, winery or distillery, and
(b) a person holding a special occasion licence;
"liquor" means
(a) fermented, spirituous and malt liquors,
(b) combinations of liquors, and
(c) drinks and drinkable liquids that are intoxicating,
and includes beer, or a substance that, by being dissolved or diluted is capable of being made a drinkable liquid that is intoxicating and that is declared by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to be liquor;
"liquor store" means a government liquor store, government beer store or government wine store or an agency established by the general manager under the Liquor Distribution Act;
"minor" means a person under the age of majority established by the Age of Majority Act;
"officer" means an officer of the branch appointed under section 4;
"off premises sale" means sale of packaged liquor to be consumed in a place other than the premises where it was sold;
"products" means goods or articles other than liquor;
"public place" includes
(a) a place, building, passenger conveyance, boat or land to which the public resort or are permitted access, and
(b) a motor vehicle located on land to which the public resort or are permitted access;
"pure grain alcohol" means absolute alcohol manufactured from grain;
"residence" means
(a) a building or part of it, or a trailer, camper, manufactured home, tent or vessel that is genuinely and actually occupied and used by the owner, lessee or tenant solely as a
(i) private dwelling,
(ii) private guest room in a hotel, motel, auto court, lodging house, boarding house or club, or
(iii) private summer dwelling, or a private dwelling or living place used during vacation periods or a private lodge, or
(b) a building or part of it designated by the general manager in a permit or other document as a private dwelling,
together with the land appurtenant to it that is essential or appropriate for the convenient use, occupation and enjoyment of a private dwelling or private summer dwelling;
"sale" includes
(a) exchange, barter and traffic,
(b) selling, supplying or distributing liquor by any means, and
(c) a sale or selling in British Columbia to a foreign consignee or his or her agent in British Columbia;
"store manager" has the same meaning as in the Liquor Distribution Act;
"veterans club" means
(a) The Royal Canadian Legion,
(b) Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans in Canada,
(c) War Amputations of Canada,
(d) The Royal Canadian Air Force Association,
(e) a chartered branch of an organization listed in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) that is in good standing with the central organization,
(f) British Ex-Servicemen’s Association of Vancouver, or
(g) The Royal Canadian Naval Association;
"weapon" means anything used or intended for use
(a) in causing death or injury to persons whether designed for that purpose or not, or
(b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person.
(2) A liquor that contains more than 1% alcohol by volume is conclusively deemed to be intoxicating.
2 (1) The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, as established in the ministry of the minister, is continued.
(2) The branch may grant licences and permits to purchase liquor from the Liquor Distribution Branch for resale and reuse in accordance with this Act and the Liquor Distribution Act.
3 (1) The minister, under the Public Service Act, must appoint a general manager of the branch and set his or her remuneration.
(2) The general manager must, subject to the orders and direction of the minister on matters of general policy,
(a) administer this Act, and
(b) supervise all licensed establishments and manufacturers of liquor.
4 (1) Officers and other employees required for the purposes of this Act may be appointed under the Public Service Act.
(2) The general manager must issue written directives to the officers, and a directive affecting the public must be made available for public inspection at the offices of the branch.
5 A person who is or has been
(a) an employee of the branch, or
(b) engaged in the administration of this Act or the regulations
must not be compelled to disclose any information contained in records of the branch, respecting a licensee or an applicant for a licence, except
(c) if the disclosure is necessary to administer this Act or the business of the branch,
(d) if the disclosure is made with the consent of the licensee or applicant to whom the record relates,
(e) in court proceedings, or
(f) if the general manager authorizes the disclosure.
6 The general manager must, subject to this Act and the regulations,
(a) issue, renew, amend, transfer, suspend or cancel licences as provided by this Act and the regulations,
(b) specify which regulations apply to a licence so granted,
(c) supervise the conduct and operation of licensed establishments,
(d) grant licences to all breweries, wineries and distilleries manufacturing in British Columbia,
(e) appoint or designate any person he or she considers advisable as an analyst for the purposes of this Act,
(f) authorize officials to issue licences and permits under this Act, and
(g) perform all other acts required to properly and efficiently administer his or her responsibilities as defined by the minister and under this Act and the regulations.
7 (1) On application in the prescribed form, a store manager or an officer authorized by the general manager to issue a special occasion licence for selling or serving liquor at designated establishments for special occasions as provided by the regulations must, on payment of the prescribed fee by the applicant, issue a licence entitling the applicant to sell or serve liquor for the purpose named in the licence and in accordance with its terms and this Act and the regulations.
(2) A licence must not be issued for the prime purpose of making a profit, unless the general manager is satisfied that the purpose of the special occasion is to raise funds for a genuine charitable purpose.
(3) The general manager may delegate to a store manager or other employee the authority to decide, subject to the directions of the general manager, whether or not a fund raising organization and its charitable purposes are genuine.
(4) If, in the general manager’s opinion or in the opinion of a peace officer, there is a breach of this Act or the regulations, or of a federal, Provincial or municipal enactment relating to the sale, purchase or consumption of liquor, the general manager or the peace officer may cancel a licence issued under this section.
(5) The store manager must send a copy of every licence issued under this section to the chief constable in the jurisdiction where the designated establishment is located.
8 A person must not purchase pure grain alcohol unless the person is
(a) a pharmacist, who may purchase and have in his or her possession the prescribed amount purchased by him or her for use solely in connection with his or her pharmacy business in compounding medicines or as a solvent or preservative, or for sale to physicians and hospitals as a sterilizing agent,
(b) a body referred to in section 18 (3) of the Liquor Distribution Act, or
(c) a person referred to in section 9.
9 (1) On application, the general manager may issue a permit to purchase pure grain alcohol to
(a) a person engaged in British Columbia in a mechanical or manufacturing business or scientific pursuit requiring the use of pure grain alcohol, or
(b) a person who proposes to use pure grain alcohol for a purpose that is, in the opinion of the general manager, not contrary to the public interest.
(2) A permit issued under subsection (1) must stipulate the maximum quantity of pure grain alcohol that may be purchased or kept in possession.
10 (1) A person in charge of a hospital within the meaning of the Hospital Act, or a community care facility within the meaning of the Community Care Facility Act, may
(a) administer liquor to a patient or resident in that institution either as a beverage or otherwise, and
(b) charge for the liquor administered under paragraph (a).
(2) Liquor must not be administered under this section except to actual patients or residents of the institution of which the person referred to in subsection (1) is in charge.
(3) A person who administers liquor in contravention of this section commits an offence.
11 (1) For the purposes of this Act, British Columbia is one licensing area.
(2) A licence must not be issued for an establishment unless, if the general manager requires it,
(a) the applicant has given, in a form and manner approved by the general manager, reasonable notice of the application and the nature of the licence sought to residents of an area specified by the general manager, and
(b) the general manager has considered the views of those residents which may be in the form of
(i) a resolution of a municipal council or regional district board,
(ii) public response to the notice under paragraph (a),
(iii) a petition signed by those residents,
(iv) a referendum of the opinion of those residents, or
(v) a combination of the forms referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv) that the general manager directs.
(3) If, under subsection (2), the general manager has directed that
(a) a petition be circulated, or
(b) a referendum be held,
the general manager must not further consider the application unless 60% of the residents in the specified area who vote or sign the petition favour issuing the licence.
(4) A referendum may be carried out in a manner required by the general manager.
(5) Proceedings must not be taken by an applicant under subsection (2) unless
(a) the applicant has notified the general manager in writing of the category and location of the proposed establishment, and
(b) the general manager approves in writing the location for that category of establishment.
(6) An approval under subsection (5) (b) is personal to the applicant, and another applicant may not proceed on the basis of it without the approval of the general manager.
12 (1) The general manager, having regard for the public interest, may, on application, issue a licence for the sale of liquor.
(2) The general manager may, in respect of any licence that is being or has been issued, impose, in the public interest, terms and conditions
(a) that vary the terms and conditions to which the licence is subject under the regulations, or
(b) that are in addition to those referred to in paragraph (a).
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the terms and conditions referred to in that subsection may
(a) limit the type of liquor to be offered for sale,
(b) designate the areas of an establishment, both indoor and outdoor, where liquor may be sold and served,
(c) limit the days and hours that an establishment is permitted to be open for the sale of liquor,
(d) designate the areas within an establishment where minors are permitted,
(e) approve, prohibit or restrict games and entertainment in an establishment,
(f) exempt a class of licensee from requirements with respect to serving food and non-alcoholic beverages in an establishment,
(g) vary seating requirements in the dining area of an establishment,
(h) vary requirements with respect to the location of an establishment, and
(i) exempt a class of licensee from requirements with respect to marine facilities where liquor is sold.
(4) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) authorizes the general manager to impose terms and conditions that are inconsistent with this Act or the regulations.
(5) A licence expires on the date specified on it as the expiry date.
(6) The general manager may, on application by a licensee, amend the terms of, renew or transfer a licence.
(7) If the general manager, following application, refuses to issue, amend the terms of, renew or transfer a licence, the general manager must give to the applicant or licensee written reasons for the decision.
13 (1) The general manager must not issue, transfer or renew a licence in a prescribed category unless the applicant or licensee to whom the licence will be issued, transferred or renewed satisfies the general manager that he or she has successfully completed a prescribed training program.
(2) If the applicant or licensee is a corporation, the condition set out in subsection (1) is met if the prescribed training program is successfully completed by a director, officer or employee of the corporation who will have responsibility for controlling the sale of liquor.
(3) A person must not manage a licensed establishment unless the person has successfully completed a prescribed training program.
(4) A person must not serve liquor in a licensed establishment unless the person has successfully completed a prescribed training program.
14 Subject to the regulations, a licensee may apply to the general manager for the privilege of off premises sale of liquor, and if satisfied that public need and convenience would be served, the general manager may so endorse the licence.
15 (1) An application for a new licence or a renewal, transfer or amendment of a licence must be in the prescribed form and be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
(2) A person applying for the issue, renewal, transfer or amendment of a licence, who fails to disclose a material fact required by the form of application or makes a false or misleading statement in the form of application, commits an offence.
16 (1) A licence must not be issued, renewed or transferred to a person who
(a) in the general manager’s opinion
(i) is not a fit and proper person, or
(ii) is not the owner of the business carried on at the establishment for which the licence is sought, or
(b) is disqualified under this Act or the regulations or has not complied with the requirements of this Act or the regulations.
(2) In deciding if a person is fit and proper for the purposes of subsection (1) (a) (i), consideration must be given to convictions in the preceding 3 years under the laws of Canada or any province or the bylaws of a municipality or regional district in British Columbia.
(3) A licence must not be issued, renewed or transferred if, in the general manager’s opinion, it would be contrary to the public interest.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the general manager must consider whether
(a) the applicant is the holder of, has an interest in or is applying for another licence under this Act, or
(b) the applicant is qualified under this Act or the regulations or has complied with the requirements of this Act or the regulations.
(5) A licence, other than a special occasion licence under section 7, must not be issued, renewed or transferred except to
(a) a person who is a resident, normally resides in British Columbia and is not a minor,
(b) a partnership, of which each member is a resident, normally resides in British Columbia and is not a minor, or
(c) a corporation whose agent or manager selected by the corporation to carry on its business in the licensed establishment is a resident, normally resides in British Columbia and is not a minor.
(6) A special occasion licence must not be issued except to a person who is not a minor and who
(a) is a resident of and normally resides in British Columbia, or
(b) although not a resident of British Columbia is approved for a special occasion licence by the general manager.
(7) A licence in respect of which a fine or suspension has been imposed under this Act must not be renewed or transferred if, at the date that the renewal or transfer is to take effect,
(a) in the case of a fine,
(i) the fine has, under section 20 (5), become payable,
(ii) the time period set by the general manager for the payment of the fine has expired, and
(iii) the fine has not been fully paid, or
(b) in the case of a suspension, the suspension has, under section 20 (5), taken effect and has not been fully served.
17 (1) A licensee must not allow another person to use his or her licence without having first obtained the written approval of the general manager.
(2) The general manager may grant the approval under subsection (1) subject to any conditions that he or she considers necessary or advisable, and the general manager may amend or cancel those conditions at any time.
18 (1) A licence must not be issued, renewed or transferred
(a) to a person who has agreed or arranged with another to sell the liquor of a manufacturer to the exclusion of the liquor of another manufacturer, or
(b) to a liquor manufacturer or the manufacturer’s agent, or a person who is so associated with, connected with or financially interested in them, that it is likely to promote the sale of liquor for that manufacturer or person.
(2) If either of the conditions referred to in subsection (1), whether or not it existed at the time of the issue of the licence or arises after, is not disclosed to the general manager, the failure to disclose is an offence and an action or other proceeding must not be brought or commenced in a court in British Columbia in respect of an agreement, arrangement, concession, obligation, undertaking or interest referred to in subsection (1).
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a person who operates, in accordance with the regulations,
(a) a brew pub and an establishment, licensed under section 12, that is operated in conjunction with and at the same site as the brew pub, with respect to liquor manufactured on the premises, or
(b) a winery and an establishment, licensed under section 12, that is operated in conjunction with and at the same site as the winery, with respect to liquor manufactured on the premises.
(4) Subject to the regulations, the general manager may exempt a person from prohibitions and restrictions under subsection (1) in respect of an establishment, and may impose terms and conditions for the exemption.
19 (1) The directors, officers or employees of a corporation that applies for the issue, renewal or transfer to it of a licence must, at the time of making the application or at other times during the term of the licence, when ordered by the general manager, produce particulars of the officers and shareholders of the corporation as the general manager requires.
(2) The general manager may require a corporation that holds a licence to submit to the general manager for approval a transfer of shares of its capital stock.
(3) A transfer of shares must not be completed before the approval referred to in subsection (2) has been given, and any transfer made without approval is void.
20 (1) In addition to any other powers the general manager has under this Act, the general manager may, on the general manager’s own motion or on receiving a complaint, take action against a licensee for any of the following reasons:
(a) the licensee’s failure to comply with a requirement of this Act, the regulations or a term or condition of the licence;
(b) the conviction of the licensee of an offence under the laws of Canada or British Columbia or under the bylaws of a municipality or regional district, if the offence relates to the licensed establishment or the conduct of it;
(c) the persistent failure to keep the licensed establishment in a clean and orderly fashion;
(d) the existence of a circumstance that, under section 16, would prevent the issue of a licence;
(e) the suspension or cancellation of a municipally, regionally, provincially or federally granted licence, permit or certificate that the licensee is required to hold in order to operate the licensed establishment.
(2) If the general manager has the right under subsection (1) to take action against a licensee, the general manager may do any one or more of the following, with or without a hearing:
(a) issue a warning to the licensee;
(b) impose terms and conditions on the licensee’s licence or rescind or amend existing terms and conditions on the licence;
(c) impose a fine on the licensee within the limits prescribed;
(d) suspend or cancel the licensee’s licence, in whole or in part.
(3) Despite subsection (2) (d), the general manager must suspend or cancel a licence held by a person who
(a) has been convicted of an offence against prescribed laws of Canada or British Columbia, or
(b) has been convicted of an offence against this Act, if the person committed the offence within 3 years after being convicted of a previous offence against this Act.
(4) The general manager must give written reasons for any action taken under subsection (2) (b), (c) or (d) or (3).
(5) The general manager may take an action under subsection (2) (b), (c) or (d) or (3) at any time but the action does not take effect until after the appeal period referred to in section 31 (5) has expired and an appeal has not been filed or the appeal is disposed of, whichever is later.
21 (1) A licence must not be transferred or otherwise dealt in or disposed of without the written consent of the general manager.
(2) If a licensee dies or becomes bankrupt, the heirs, executors, administrators or successors have the powers and obligations of the licensee until the licence expires, and the general manager may renew the licence for one year in the name of the heir, executor, administrator or successor.
(3) A licence is not transferable from one establishment to another or from one area in an establishment to another without the written consent of the general manager.
22 (1) If in a licensed establishment the conduct of the licensee’s patrons or employees is of a riotous, violent, drunken or disorderly nature, or the safety of one or more persons in the licensed establishment is threatened, the general manager may, without a hearing, suspend the licence and order the immediate removal of patrons and closure of the licensed establishment for a period not exceeding 24 hours.
(2) Despite section 20 (5), a suspension of a licence made or an order given under subsection (1) of this section takes effect immediately.
(3) The general manager may delegate to specified officers and peace officers authority to exercise the general manager’s powers under subsection (1).
(4) If the licensed establishment of a licensee is required to be vacated under this section, the licensee must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the licensed establishment is immediately vacated.
23 (1) The general manager may suspend or impose conditions on a licence for a period not exceeding 24 hours if, in the general manager’s opinion, it is in the public interest to do so.
(2) Despite section 20 (5), a suspension of or imposition of conditions on a licence under subsection (1) of this section takes effect immediately.
(3) If as a result of the suspension of or the imposition of conditions on a licence under this section the licensed establishment of the licensee is required to be vacated, the licensee must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the licensed establishment is immediately vacated.
24 (1) A licence issued to a club is void if the club ceases to exist.
(2) The general manager may determine whether a club has ceased to exist for the purposes of this Act.
25 A club that holds a licence must sell liquor only to an actual member of or an actual guest of a member of the club.
26 (1) A club that holds a licence must keep a visitors register, as prescribed, in which must be entered the name and address of each guest entering the club establishment, the name of the member introducing the guest and the date.
(2) A person who is not
(a) a member or employee of the club, or
(b) a guest of a member whose name as guest is registered in the visitors register,
is not permitted to be or remain in a part of the club where liquor is being sold, served or consumed.
27 If a club, recreational centre, community centre or municipal or Provincial cultural centre is a licence holder
(a) the general manager may direct that the licence entitles the members of the club to keep on the club establishment a reasonable quantity of liquor for personal consumption on the club establishment, and
(b) the general manager may authorize the sale of liquor for consumption by members and their guests
(i) on the premises elsewhere than in that portion of the establishment covered by the licence, or
(ii) off the premises.
28 On suspension or cancellation by the central organization of a veterans club of the charter of a branch of that veterans club that holds a licence, the licence held by that branch is void.
29 A chartered branch of a veterans club is not entitled to apply for, obtain or hold a licence while not in good standing with the central organization.
30 (1) The Liquor Appeal Board is continued consisting of a chair and other members the Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint.
(2) The chair and the members of the appeal board
(a) serve at the pleasure of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and
(b) are entitled to
(i) receive the remuneration set by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and
(ii) be paid reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their duties as members of the appeal board.
(3) The chair of the appeal board may designate one member as vice chair.
(4) Subject to section 31 (6) and (8), the appeal board must hear and determine any matter appealed under section 31.
(5) The chair of the appeal board may establish one or more panels of the appeal board, each consisting of one or 3 members of the appeal board, as the chair considers advisable, to hear any matter that is before the appeal board, and when a panel is established,
(a) the chair must appoint one of the members of the panel to preside at meetings of the panel, and
(b) the panel has the jurisdiction of the appeal board with respect to matters under this Act that come before the appeal board.
(6) The appeal board and each member of it
(a) has the protection and privileges of a commissioner under section 12 of the Inquiry Act, and
(b) has, for the purposes of appeals, other than appeals under section 31 (3) (a), (b) or (c), the powers of a commissioner under sections 15 and 16 of the Inquiry Act.
(7) The appeal board or a panel of it
(a) must send written decisions and written reasons for its decisions to all parties to the appeal, and
(b) has the power to assess the costs of a proceeding under section 31 and may order any party to the proceeding to pay to the appeal board all or a portion of those costs.
(8) The costs ordered under subsection (7) (b) may be recovered as a debt owing to the appeal board and, when collected, are to be paid into the consolidated revenue fund.
(9) An appeal from a decision or order of the appeal board lies to the Court of Appeal with leave of a justice of the Court of Appeal.
(10) The appeal board may establish rules, practices and procedures, not inconsistent with the regulations, to be followed by the appeal board in performing its duties and functions and exercising its powers.
31 (1) In this section, "aggrieved person" means a person who is aggrieved by an action, order or decision of the general manager in respect of which an appeal is or may be brought under this section and who is
(a) in the case of an action of the general manager, the person against whom or against whose licensed establishment the action was taken, or
(b) in the case of an order or decision, the person who is or whose licensed establishment is directly referred to in the order or decision.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), or in another provision of this Act or the Liquor Distribution Act, an action, order or decision of the general manager or of any of the general manager’s officers or employees as to a matter in respect of which a power, authority or discretion is conferred on the general manager under this Act or the regulations is final, and must not be questioned, reviewed or restrained by a proceeding under the Judicial Review Procedure Act.
(3) An aggrieved person may appeal to the appeal board
(a) the general manager’s refusal to issue, renew, amend or transfer a licence,
(b) the general manager’s refusal to issue a permit under section 9,
(c) the imposition by the general manager of terms and conditions on a licence under section 12,
(d) any action taken by the general manager under section 20, or
(e) the general manager’s refusal to return seized liquor under section 70 (4).
(4) Only an aggrieved person may bring an appeal under subsection (3).
(5) An appeal under subsection (3) must be brought by delivering a written notice of appeal to the appeal board and to the general manager within 30 days after the date of the action, order or decision of the general manager in respect of which the appeal is brought.
(6) An appeal to the appeal board under subsection (3) (a), (b) or (c)
(a) is not a hearing in the nature of a new trial but is instead an appeal on the record for which no evidence other than the evidence considered by the general manager is considered by the board, and
(b) must be an appeal on the grounds that, in reaching the decision appealed from, the general manager
(i) erred in law alone, or
(ii) failed to observe the principles of procedural fairness.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) (a), the record on which an appeal under subsection (3) (a), (b) or (c) is to be conducted is the prescribed record.
(8) After considering an appeal brought under subsection (3) (a), (b) or (c), the appeal board must
(a) dismiss the appeal, or
(b) allow the appeal and send the matter back to the general manager for reconsideration.
(9) After considering an appeal brought under subsection (3) (d) or (e), the appeal board may confirm, vary or reverse the action, order or decision under appeal with or without conditions.
32 (1) A general manager or other officer or employee of the branch must not solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, a commission, remuneration or gift from a person who has sold, is selling or is offering for sale liquor or other products or services offered for purchase, or purchased, by the branch.
(2) A person selling or offering for sale liquor or other products or services to, or purchasing liquor or other products or services for resale or reuse from, the Liquor Distribution Branch or the general manager must not, either directly or indirectly, offer to pay a commission, profit or remuneration or make a gift to the general manager or an officer or employee of the branch.
33 (1) A person must not
(a) sell, give or otherwise supply liquor to a minor,
(b) have liquor in his or her possession for the purpose of selling, giving or otherwise supplying it to a minor, or
(c) in or at a place under his or her control, permit a minor to consume liquor.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if liquor is
(a) given to a minor by his or her parent, spouse or guardian in a residence for consumption in the residence,
(b) administered to a minor by or under the authority of a medical practitioner or dentist for medicinal purposes, or
(c) given or otherwise supplied to a minor in accordance with the regulations.
(3) A person has liquor in his or her possession when the person has it in his or her personal possession or knowingly
(a) has it in the actual possession or custody of another person, or
(b) has it in or at a place, whether or not that place belongs to or is occupied by the person, for the use or benefit of the person or another person.
(4) If one of 2 or more persons, with the knowledge and consent of the rest, has liquor in his or her possession, it is deemed to be in the possession of each of them.
(5) It is a defence to a charge under this section if the defendant satisfies the court that, in reaching the conclusion that the person was not a minor, the defendant
(a) required that the person produce identification, and
(b) examined and acted on the authenticity of the identification.
(6) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $500.
34 (1) A minor who purchases or consumes liquor on a licensed establishment, except as provided by this Act and the regulations or the Liquor Distribution Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $100.
(2) A minor who, without lawful reason or excuse, enters or is found in a liquor store, or in that part of a licensed establishment where the minor is not permitted by the regulations, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $100.
(3) A minor who, without lawful reason or excuse, has liquor in his or her possession commits an offence.
35 A person who holds a licence under this Act or who sells liquor under the Liquor Distribution Act, or the person’s employee, must not authorize or permit a minor to enter on or to be on premises where liquor is sold or kept for sale except
(a) if the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian on premises where liquor is sold exclusively for consumption off the premises,
(b) with lawful excuse, or
(c) in prescribed circumstances.
36 (1) In this section, "gambling" does not include anything done under the authority of
(a) a licence issued under section 207 (1) (b) or (f) of the Criminal Code, or
(b) an enactment referred to in section 207 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
(2) A person holding a licence or the person’s employee must not authorize or permit in the licensed establishment
(a) gambling, drunkenness or violent, quarrelsome, riotous or disorderly conduct,
(b) any unlawful activities or conduct, or
(c) a device used for gambling to be placed, kept or maintained.
(3) An activity permitted under the authority referred to in subsection (1) may be restricted, cancelled or prohibited in a licensed establishment by order of the general manager.
37 A licensee who installs a breathalizer machine is not liable if the machine malfunctions or is misinterpreted, provided the licensee does not aid in its operation or interpret its results.
38 (1) Except as provided in this Act, the Liquor Distribution Act or the regulations made under those Acts, a person must not, personally or by his or her clerk, employee or agent, keep for sale, sell or, in consideration of the purchase or transfer of property or for other consideration, give liquor to another person.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a delivery service may purchase liquor on behalf of a customer during the days and hours for sale of liquor prescribed in that area and deliver the liquor to the customer, if the charge for the liquor is no more than the liquor store price plus the delivery service charge.
(3) A licensee must not sell liquor except
(a) liquor purchased from the Liquor Distribution Branch, and
(b) in accordance with this Act, the regulations and the terms and conditions of the licence.
38.1 (1) A licensee must not dilute or adulterate liquor purchased from the Liquor Distribution Branch or keep for sale, sell or in consideration of the purchase or transfer of property or for other consideration give to another person liquor that has been diluted or adulterated after its purchase from the Liquor Distribution Branch.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent a licensee from diluting or adulterating liquor in a drink at the request of a customer ordering that drink.
(3) A licensee must not refill a bottle or container or add to the contents of a bottle or container purchased from the Liquor Distribution Branch.
39 Except as provided in this Act, the Liquor Distribution Act or the regulations made under those Acts, a person must not, personally or by his or her clerk, employee or agent, purchase or, in consideration of the sale or transfer of any property or for other consideration, take liquor from another person.
40 (1) Except for liquor purchased and consumed in accordance with a licence that permits consumption in a public place, a person must not consume liquor in a public place.
(2) Despite subsection (1), but subject to terms and conditions approved by the general manager not inconsistent with this Act and the regulations, a public beach, public park or public campground, or part of it, may be designated by
(a) an order of the government of Canada or of British Columbia, or
(b) a bylaw of a municipality or regional district
having jurisdiction over it as a place where liquor may be consumed.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a place designated under subsection (2).
(4) This section does not affect section 41, and subsection (2) does not apply to an offence under section 41.
41 (1) A person who is intoxicated must not be or remain in a public place and a person who contravenes this section commits an offence.
(2) A peace officer may arrest, without a warrant, a person found intoxicated in a public place.
42 A person must not consume liquor in a liquor warehouse, distillery, winery, brewery, liquor store or agency store, except as this Act provides, or as authorized by the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch.
43 (1) A person must not sell or give liquor to an intoxicated person or a person apparently under the influence of liquor.
(2) A licensee or the licensee’s employee must not permit
(a) a person to become intoxicated, or
(b) an intoxicated person to remain in that part of a licensed establishment where liquor is sold, served or otherwise supplied.
44 (1) In this section:
"motor home" has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle Act;
"motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle Act, and includes an all terrain vehicle as defined in the Motor Vehicle (All Terrain) Act.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a person must not drive or otherwise exercise control over the operation of a motor vehicle, whether or not it is in motion, while there is liquor in the person’s possession or in the motor vehicle.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply
(a) if the liquor is in a container that is unopened and has an unbroken seal,
(b) if the liquor is being transported or used in accordance with a licence issued under this Act, or
(c) in any other case, if the motor vehicle
(i) is a motor home and the liquor is kept in a cabinet away from the driver’s area,
(ii) is a station wagon or hatchback and the liquor is behind the rear seat, whether or not that seat is in an upright position,
(iii) is a pickup truck and the liquor is in an exterior compartment, a space designed for the carriage of baggage or parcels or any other location that is not readily accessible to any person in the motor vehicle,
(iv) is a motorcycle and the liquor is not readily accessible to the operator, or
(v) is not one referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv) and the liquor is in the trunk or space designed for the carriage of baggage or parcels.
45 (1) A person must not offer or give or agree to offer or give and a licensee or the licensee’s employee must not demand, accept or receive or agree to accept or receive money, gifts, reward or remuneration, directly or indirectly, for promoting, inducing or furthering the sale of a particular kind, class or brand of liquor.
(2) A licensee or the licensee’s employee must not induce, further or promote the sale of a particular kind, class or brand of liquor.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of liquor sold at a brew pub, winery, distillery, brewery or establishment referred to in section 18 (3) that is operated in accordance with the regulations.
(4) Subject to the regulations, the general manager may exempt a person from prohibitions and restrictions under subsections (1) and (2) in respect of an establishment, and may impose terms and conditions for the exemption.
46 (1) A licensee or the licensee’s employee may
(a) request a person to leave, or
(b) forbid a person to enter
a licensed establishment if for any reason he or she believes the presence of that person in the licensed establishment is undesirable or that person is intoxicated.
(2) A licensee or the licensee’s employee, in reaching an opinion under subsection (1), must not contravene the Human Rights Code.
(3) A person must not
(a) remain in a licensed establishment after he or she is requested to leave by the licensee or the licensee’s employee,
(b) enter a licensed establishment within 24 hours after the time he or she was requested to leave the licensed establishment by the licensee or the licensee’s employee, or
(c) without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies on the person, possess a knife, firearm or weapon in a licensed establishment.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $500.
(5) A peace officer may arrest, without warrant, a person contravening or suspected of contravening subsection (3).
47 (1) In this section and in section 46 (3) (c):
"knife" does not include cutlery provided by a licensee or the licensee’s employee for the purpose of food services;
"lawful excuse" does not include possession for self protection.
(2) A licensee or the licensee’s employee must not permit a person to enter, or if the person has already entered, to remain in, a licensed establishment if the licensee or employee knows that the person has, without lawful excuse, a knife, firearm or weapon in his or her possession.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $500.
48 (1) A person who contravenes this Act or the regulations commits an offence.
(2) If the person convicted of an offence is a corporation, the corporation is liable,
(a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $1 000 and not more than $2 000, and
(b) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $2 000 and not more than $10 000.
(3) A person who is convicted of an offence under section 38 (1) is liable,
(a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $1 000 and not more than $2 000, and
(b) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $2 000 and not more than $10 000.
(4) Subject to the minimum and maximum fines referred to in subsection (3), section 4 of the Offence Act continues to apply to a person who is convicted of an offence under section 38 (1) of this Act.
49 (1) Except as permitted by regulation, a sign must not be erected on or in a building or land, and an owner or occupier of a building or land must not permit a sign to be erected, advertising liquor, a brand of liquor or the name of the manufacturer of liquor.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a brewer, distiller or operator of a winery may maintain a sign on a brewery, distillery, winery or liquor warehouse owned or leased by the brewer, distiller or operator, to advertise his or her business.
(3) The holder of a licence may maintain in or on the outside of the establishment specified in the licence a sign displaying the name of the establishment and the fact that the establishment is licensed under this Act, if the sign complies with municipal bylaws and is approved by the general manager and other signs must not be displayed inside or outside the establishment unless they are approved by the general manager.
(4) A licensed establishment that offers entertainment must, at the entrance to the licensed establishment, post a notice in the form approved by the general manager as to the type of entertainment being performed in the establishment, to inform the public of the nature of the entertainment.
50 (1) If entertainment is permitted under the regulations or the terms and conditions of a licence, a municipality or regional district may restrict or prohibit any or all of the types of entertainment permitted.
(2) Without limiting section 12, the general manager may, at the time of the issue of a licence or at any time during the term of the licence, impose as a condition of it the restrictions and limitations that the general manager considers necessary on any type or form of entertainment performed or carried on in the establishment for which the licence is issued.
51 (1) A person must not canvass for, solicit, receive or take orders for the purchase or sale of liquor, or act as agent for its purchase or sale, except as provided by this Act and the regulations.
(2) Except as provided in the regulations, a person must not
(a) exhibit or display, or
(b) permit to be exhibited or displayed,
an advertisement or notice respecting liquor
(c) by an electric, illuminated or other sign, contrivance or device, or
(d) on a building, hoarding, signboard, billboard, vehicle or other place in public view.
(3) A person must not publish, broadcast, distribute or display a sign, advertisement, notice, circular, letter, poster, handbill, card or price list that
(a) names, represents, describes or refers to liquor, or to the qualities or quantities of a liquor,
(b) gives the name or address of a person manufacturing or dealing in liquor, or
(c) states or indicates where liquor may be obtained or purchased,
except as provided by the regulations.
(4) This section does not apply to
(a) agents dealing in liquor with the branch or the Liquor Distribution Branch,
(b) the receipt or transmission of a telegram or letter by a telecommunication agent or post office employee in the ordinary course of his or her employment as an agent or employee, or
(c) advertising liquor in a genuine newspaper or periodical in British Columbia by a person who sells liquor to the Liquor Distribution Branch but a person must not print, publish, sell, distribute or circulate advertising under this subsection unless it has been approved by the general manager.
(5) The general manager may approve brochures, business cards, letterheads and other material the general manager considers informational or educational, but not promotional.
(6) This section ceases to operate to the extent that it conflicts with or is inconsistent with legislation enacted by the Parliament of Canada for the control and regulation of liquor advertising.
52 (1) A person must not act as an agent unless the person holds a valid and subsisting agent’s licence.
(2) An agent’s licence may be obtained from the general manager on payment of the prescribed fee.
(3) A liquor manufacturer or agent must not give liquor to a person, except as provided in this Act and the regulations.
(4) An agent licensed under this Act must record all liquor coming into the agent’s possession and its disposal, as specified by the general manager, and must make the record available for inspection on request of the general manager.
(5) An agent may deliver samples of the product of the manufacturer or importer the agent represents to potential customers, but an agent must not give a person more than the prescribed amount.
(6) An agent who contravenes this section commits an offence and, if convicted, must have his licence suspended by the general manager for a period not exceeding one year.
53 (1) A brewery, winery or distillery may open its premises to the public for informational tours, and may apply to the general manager to designate an area as a sampling room in which it may present to the public samples of its products to taste, without charge.
(2) A brewery, winery or distillery licensed under this Act may apply to the general manager for permission to conduct tasting to acquaint the public with its products and, if the place and circumstances of the proposed tasting appear reasonable to the general manager, the general manager may grant permission by issuing a licence under section 7.
54 A manufacturer or distributor of liquor may, subject to the approval of the general manager and to the conditions the general manager imposes, sponsor under its name any of the following:
(a) a sports event or competition;
(b) a cultural contest or event;
(c) programs for disabled or handicapped persons;
(d) detoxification centres and research and education projects relating to moderation in the use of, or the abuse of, liquor.
55 (1) A person must not manufacture liquor in British Columbia except in accordance with this Act and the regulations.
(2) This section does not apply to a person producing or manufacturing wine, beer or cider for the person’s own consumption.
56 This Act does not prevent a brewer, distiller or other person licensed by the government of Canada for the manufacture of liquor from
(a) having or keeping liquor in a place and manner authorized under an Act of Canada, or
(b) selling to a manufacturer in bond, properly licensed by the government of Canada, liquor required by the manufacturer for the manufacture of products permitted under his or her licence,
if the general manager has consented in writing to the issue of the licence to the manufacturer in bond, and the liquor sold to that manufacturer does not contain less than 85.59% by volume of absolute alcohol.
57 (1) A distiller in British Columbia licensed by the government of Canada to manufacture or keep liquor in a place and manner authorized under an Act of Canada must
(a) apply each year to the general manager for a separate licence authorizing the sale of liquor to the Liquor Distribution Branch, and
(b) pay the general manager a prescribed annual fee for the licence.
(2) A brewer in British Columbia licensed by the government of Canada to manufacture or keep malt liquor in a place and manner authorized under an Act of Canada must
(a) apply each year to the general manager for a separate licence authorizing the sale of malt liquor to the Liquor Distribution Branch, and
(b) pay the general manager a prescribed annual fee for the licence.
(3) The applicant for a distiller’s or brewer’s licence must apply in the prescribed form and file it with the general manager, with the prescribed licence fee.
(4) On receiving the application for a distiller’s licence or brewer’s licence, and the prescribed licence fee, the general manager must issue a licence expiring on the date specified on it as the expiry date.
(5) A person engaged in or carrying on a business mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) who
(a) fails to apply for a licence under this section, or
(b) fails to pay the prescribed licence fee for each distillery or brewery in British Columbia owned, occupied or used by the person for his or her business
commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than the amount of the unpaid licence fees payable by the person under this section, and a fine of $150 for every day that the default continues.
(6) All distillery and brewery premises must at all reasonable times be open to inspection by an officer or peace officer to ascertain whether a contravention of this Act or the regulations has taken place or is taking place in those premises.
(7) An officer may at all reasonable times examine the books of a distiller or brewer required to make returns by or under this Act, and may otherwise verify those returns.
(8) A person commits an offence if the person is in or has charge of a distillery or brewery premises, and the person
(a) refuses or fails to admit an officer or peace officer demanding to enter in the execution of his or her duty under this section,
(b) obstructs or attempts to obstruct the entry of an officer or peace officer,
(c) refuses to allow an officer to examine the books of the distillery or brewery, or
(d) refuses or neglects to make a return required by this Act or the regulations.
58 (1) Except as provided in section 55, a person who intends to produce or manufacture wine in British Columbia must, before doing so, notify the general manager in writing, giving full particulars of the following:
(a) the location at which the wine is to be produced or manufactured;
(b) the kind of wine and the quantity to be produced or manufactured;
(c) the place the wine is to be stored or kept after production or manufacture;
(d) the purpose for which the wine is intended.
(2) The person referred to in subsection (1) must apply for a licence under this section in the prescribed form and manner.
(3) On receiving the notice and application and payment of a prescribed annual fee, the general manager may grant a licence for each winery, warehouse or place of business, authorizing the applicant to
(a) produce or manufacture the kind and quantity of wine set out in the licence,
(b) store and keep the wine in specified warehouses or storage places, and
(c) use the wine for the purposes set out in the licence, or
(d) sell the wine to a wine corporation in British Columbia engaged in the manufacture or production of wine that is approved by the general manager, which may purchase the wine.
(4) A licence granted under this section expires on the date specified on it as the expiry date.
(5) Wine manufactured, produced or purchased by a wine corporation approved by the general manager may be kept and stored in the warehouse of the wine corporation for sale to the Liquor Distribution Branch or for export from British Columbia.
59 (1) This Act does not prevent a person from
(a) having or keeping liquor for export in his or her liquor warehouse or place of business,
(b) engaging in or carrying on the business of
(i) importing liquor from a place outside British Columbia, or
(ii) exporting liquor to a place outside British Columbia.
(2) A liquor warehouse or place of business in British Columbia that is occupied or used by a person for the purposes referred to in subsection (1) must be constructed and equipped in accordance with this Act and the regulations and the Excise Act (Canada).
60 (1) This Act does not apply to or prevent the sale, purchase or consumption of
(a) a pharmaceutical preparation containing liquor prepared by a pharmacist according to the formula of the British Pharmacopoeia, The British Pharmaceutical Codex, the Pharmacopoeia of the United States, the Dispensatory of the United States of America or Martindale’s Extra Pharmacopoeia,
(b) a proprietary medicine under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada), or
(c) wood alcohol or denatured alcohol, unless the sale, purchase or consumption of wood alcohol or denatured alcohol is for beverage purposes, either alone or combined with another liquid or substance.
(2) This Act does not apply to or prevent the manufacture, sale, purchase or consumption of vinegar.
61 This Act does not prevent a manufacturer in bond, licensed by the government of Canada, from purchasing in bond, direct from a distillery licensed by the government of Canada, liquor required by the manufacturer for the manufacture of those preparations permitted under the manufacturer’s licence, if the written consent of the general manager has been given to the issue of the licence to the manufacturer in bond, and the liquor so purchased does not contain less than 85.59% by volume of absolute alcohol.
62 (1) If a medicinal preparation contains liquor as one of its necessary ingredients, and also contains sufficient ingredient or medication to prevent its use as an alcoholic beverage, this Act does not apply to or prevent
(a) the compounding or sale of the medicinal preparation by a pharmacist if it is compounded from liquor purchased by the pharmacist under section 8 or under a permit held by the pharmacist, or
(b) the purchase or consumption of the medicinal preparation by a person for strictly medicinal purposes.
(2) Despite subsection (1), and subject to the Pharmacists, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act and the regulations under that Act, the general manager may direct the manner in which a medicinal preparation containing liquor sufficient to be used as an alcoholic beverage must be sold, distributed and kept for sale.
(3) If a toilet, confectionery, culinary, cleaning or disinfecting preparation contains liquor and also contains sufficient other ingredients or medication to prevent its use as an alcoholic beverage, this Act does not apply to or prevent the sale of that preparation to a person who purchases it for use as a toilet, confectionery, culinary, cleaning or disinfecting preparation or for resale for a similar purpose.
(4) To determine whether a medicinal, toilet, confectionery, culinary, cleaning or disinfecting preparation referred to in this section contains sufficient ingredients or medication to prevent its use as an alcoholic beverage, the general manager may have a sample of the preparation purchased or obtained from a person analysed by an analyst appointed or designated by the minister or the general manager for the purposes of this Act.
(5) If a certificate purporting to be signed by the analyst referred to in subsection (4) shows that the analyst finds the sample analysed by him or her does not contain sufficient ingredients or medication to prevent its use as an alcoholic beverage, that certificate is conclusive proof that the preparation is not a preparation the sale or purchase of which is permitted by this section, without proof of the signature or official position of the analyst by whom the certificate is made.
(6) A person who purchases or sells a preparation that is not a preparation permitted by this section to be purchased or sold commits an offence and, without limiting the liability of corporations under section 48, in the case of a purchase or sale by a natural person the liability on conviction is a fine of not less than $500.
63 This Act does not affect the right of
(a) a minister of religion to import wine from outside British Columbia for consumption in British Columbia for sacramental purposes, or
(b) 2 or more ministers of religion to import wine jointly from outside British Columbia for consumption in British Columbia, to be kept in common stock, used, divided and distributed among them for sacramental purposes.
64 Every provision of this Act that may affect transactions in liquor between a person in British Columbia and a person in another province or in another country or state must be construed to affect those transactions only so far as the Legislature has power to make laws in relation to them.
65 (1) Except in the case of
(a) liquor in the possession of or kept by a person in a place and manner referred to in section 56,
(b) liquor in the possession of or kept by a manufacturer in bond which he or she has purchased for the purposes of and under section 61, or
(c) wine, beer or cider produced or manufactured by a person for the person’s own consumption under section 55,
a person who keeps or has in his or her possession or under his or her control liquor not purchased from the Liquor Distribution Branch must immediately report the liquor to the general manager in the prescribed form.
(2) The person referred to in subsection (1) must pay the general manager an amount to be set by the general manager either by general order or by special order in a particular case, at the rates that will, in the opinion of the general manager, represent the amount of profit that would have accrued to the government from the liquor if it had been purchased from a liquor store, plus 10% of that amount.
(3) A person keeping or having in his or her possession or under his or her control liquor for which an amount is payable by the person under subsection (2) who does not report it and pay the amount set by the general manager commits an offence.
(4) Nothing in subsection (3) or the enforcement of a penalty under it suspends or affects a remedy for the recovery of the amount imposed and payable under subsection (2).
66 The amount imposed for licence fee under sections 57 and 58 and an amount set under section 65 are in addition to all other taxes, for licence fees or otherwise, imposed under another Act and may be recovered by action in a court as for a debt due to the government.
67 (1) A peace officer who, on reasonable and probable grounds, believes that liquor is, anywhere or on anyone, unlawfully possessed or kept, or possessed or kept for unlawful purposes may, subject to subsection (2), enter or search, or both, for the liquor where the peace officer suspects it to be, and may seize and remove liquor found and the packages in which it is kept.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a peace officer may without a warrant
(a) search any person, and
(b) enter or search, or both, anywhere except a residence.
(3) A person commits an offence if the person
(a) obstructs or attempts to obstruct an entry or search by a peace officer under this section, or
(b) refuses or fails to admit immediately a peace officer demanding entry anywhere under this section.
68 (1) A justice who is satisfied by information on oath in the prescribed form that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is in a residence liquor in respect of which an offence under section 33 (1) has been or is being committed may issue a warrant under his or her signature authorizing a person named in it or a peace officer to
(a) enter and search the residence for the liquor, and
(b) seize and remove liquor found and the packages in which it is kept.
(2) A search warrant issued under this section may be in the prescribed form.
69 (1) If the officer or peace officer, in making or attempting to make a search under section 67 or 68 finds liquor that in his or her opinion is unlawfully possessed or kept, or possessed or kept for unlawful purposes, contrary to this Act or the regulations, he or she may immediately seize and remove
(a) the liquor and the packages in which it is kept, and
(b) books or papers found in his or her search under section 67 or 68 that, in the opinion of the officer or peace officer, will provide evidence of an offence against this Act.
(2) On conviction of a person under section 33 or of the owner or person in possession of the land or the occupant or person in charge of the vehicle, motor vehicle, vessel, boat, canoe or conveyance for a contravention of this Act or the regulations, the liquor and the packages containing it are forfeited to the government.
70 (1) If liquor is found by an officer or peace officer under circumstances that satisfy the officer or peace officer it is being possessed or kept contrary to this Act or the regulations, the officer or peace officer
(a) may immediately seize and remove the liquor and the packages containing it, and
(b) must retain the liquor and the packages to be dealt with under this Act.
(2) If within 30 days after the date of the seizure under subsection (1), no person by notice in writing filed with the general manager claims to be the owner of the liquor, the liquor and the packages containing it are forfeited to the government.
(3) The liquor and packages forfeited under subsection (2) must be
(a) destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the minister may direct, or
(b) delivered without delay to the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch.
(4) If, within the 30 days referred to in subsection (2), a person applies to the general manager claiming to be the owner of the liquor, the general manager may, within 30 days after receiving notice of the claim, on being satisfied of the person’s claim, return the seized liquor to the owner.
71 (1) If a justice makes an order for forfeiture of liquor under this Act, or a claimant to liquor under section 70 fails to establish his or her claim and right to possession of liquor, the liquor and the packages containing it must be
(a) destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the minister directs, or
(b) delivered without delay to the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch.
(2) If, under subsection (1) or section 70 (3) (b), liquor is delivered to the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch that he or she finds suitable for sale in the liquor stores, he or she must advise the minister of its value and it must be taken into stock by the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch and sold under this Act.
(3) The proceeds of a sale under subsection (2), after deducting the amount required to reimburse the general manager for expenses necessarily incurred for transporting the liquor to the government liquor warehouse, must be paid to the Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations.
(4) Liquor delivered to the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch under subsection (1) or section 70 (3) (b) that he or she finds to be unsuitable for sale in liquor stores must be destroyed under competent supervision and as directed by the minister.
72 If liquor is seized by a peace officer, his or her chief constable or the officer in charge of his or her detachment must immediately report in writing to the general manager the particulars of the seizure.
73 (1) To obtain information respecting the administration or enforcement of this Act or the regulations, the general manager or a person designated by the general manager may inspect
(a) records in the possession of any person that may contain information relating to goods shipped, carried or consigned or received for shipment or carriage in British Columbia,
(b) premises of any person set apart or used as a warehouse for the storage of liquor, and
(c) establishments licensed under this Act and records, liquor and other things associated with the operation of the establishment.
(1.1) A person carrying out an inspection under subsection (1) may
(a) remove records or things relevant to the inspection for the purpose of making copies or extracts, and
(b) take reasonable samples of liquor for testing and analysis.
(1.2) A person who removes records or things or takes a sample must
(a) give a receipt for the records or things removed or the sample taken, and
(b) make any copy or extract, and return the records or things taken, within a reasonable time.
(1.3) A copy made or extract taken under this section, certified by the person carrying out the inspection as a true copy of or extract from the original, is admissible in evidence to the same extent as, and has the same evidentiary value as, the record of which it is a copy or from which it is an extract.
(1.4) When acting under the authority of this section, a person shall carry identification in a form authorized by the general manager and present it on request to the owner or occupant of the premises referred to in subsection (1).
(1.5) A person when acting under the authority of this section may request and receive the assistance of a peace officer.
(2) A person who, on a request made under subsection (1), neglects or refuses
(a) to produce and submit a record or thing for inspection or a sample of liquor, or
(b) to allow premises to be inspected under this section
commits an offence.
74 (1) In a proceeding under this Act or the regulations, proof of one unlawful sale of liquor is sufficient to establish the intent or purpose of unlawfully keeping liquor for sale in contravention of this Act or the regulations.
(2) On hearing a charge of selling, purchasing, possessing, giving, taking, supplying or keeping liquor contrary to this Act or the regulations, the court may find that the accused has sold, purchased, possessed, given, taken, supplied or kept liquor
(a) from the kind and quantity of liquor found in the possession of the accused, or in any residence, place, premises, vehicle, vessel or craft that he or she controls or occupies, from the frequency with which liquor is received from, in, on or at them or any of them, or is removed from them or any of them, or
(b) from the circumstances under which it is kept or dealt with.
(3) The burden of proving the right to sell, purchase, possess, give, take, supply, keep or consume liquor is on the person accused of improperly or unlawfully selling, purchasing, possessing, giving, taking, supplying, keeping or consuming it.
75 (1) A certificate of an analyst, designated in writing by the minister or general manager for the purposes of this Act or the regulations, stating that he or she has made a chemical analysis of a sample of a substance and stating the composition of that substance, is evidence of the statements contained in the certificate without proof of the signature or the official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate.
(2) In a proceeding in respect of an offence committed contrary to this Act or the regulations, a court may, in the absence of proof to the contrary, find that the substance is intoxicating from the fact that a witness describes it as intoxicating or by a name commonly applied to an intoxicating liquor.
76 (1) In a prosecution, action or proceeding under this Act or the regulations against a corporation, a summons, warrant, order, writ or other proceeding may, in addition to another manner of service that may be provided or authorized by law, be served on the corporation in accordance with the Company Act.
(2) In a prosecution, action or proceeding under this Act or the regulations in which it is alleged that a corporation is or has been guilty of an offence, the fact of the incorporation of that corporation is presumed unless the contrary is proven.
77 If an offence under this Act or the regulations is committed by a corporation, the officer or agent of the corporation in charge of the establishment in which the offence is committed is deemed to be a party to the offence and is personally liable to the penalties prescribed for the offence as a principal offender but nothing in this section relieves the corporation or the person actually committing the offence from liability for it.
78 On proof that an offence under this Act or the regulations has been committed by
(a) a person employed by the occupant of a house, shop, restaurant, room or other establishment in which the offence is committed, or
(b) a person permitted by the occupant to be or remain in or on that house, shop, restaurant, room or establishment, or to act in any way for the occupant,
the occupant is deemed to be a party to the offence and is liable as a principal offender to the penalties prescribed for the offence, even though the offence was committed by a person who is not proved to have committed it under or by the direction of the occupant but nothing in this section relieves the person actually committing the offence from liability for it.
79 (1) A conviction or order made in a matter arising under this Act or the regulations, either originally or on appeal, must not be quashed for want of form.
(2) An information, summons, conviction, order or other proceeding must not be held to be bad or quashed for charging 2 or more offences or charging an offence disjunctively or in the alternative.
80 A certified copy of a licence, floor plan or order of the general manager purporting to be signed by the general manager must be received in every court in British Columbia as proof of the original licence, floor plan or order of which it purports to be a copy.
81 (1) The general manager must report to the minister with respect to the administration or enforcement of this Act as the minister requires, and must prepare and forward to the minister annually a report for the 12 month period ending on March 31 of the year in which the report is made.
(2) The annual report required under subsection (1) must contain the following:
(a) the number of subsisting licences and of licences issued, renewed, transferred, cancelled or suspended;
(b) a report of the operation of the branch for the period referred to in subsection (1);
(c) a financial statement of the branch for that period;
(d) other information requested by the minister.
(3) The minister must lay the report before the Legislative Assembly if it is then sitting, and if it is not sitting, within 15 days after the beginning of the first session in the following calendar year.
82 (1) In this section, "administrative receipts" means money
(a) received from fees and charges paid under this Act by applicants for licences, by licensees and by other persons who obtain or require the benefits or services of the branch,
(b) received from penalties paid under this Act by the persons referred to in paragraph (a), or
(c) arising out of the administration of this Act.
(2) Administrative receipts must, at the close of each day’s business, first be applied for the administration of or for any of the purposes of this Act and, after that application, any balance remaining must be paid promptly into the consolidated revenue fund.
(3) If money received under subsection (2) is insufficient for the administration or any of the purposes of this Act, the amount of the deficiency must be advanced from the consolidated revenue fund in accordance with arrangements made by the Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations, but
(a) each advance must be recorded to the satisfaction of the Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and reported to that minister, and
(b) the Comptroller General may direct the methods and procedures to be employed in administering this section.
83 Section 82 applies despite any other Act, including the Financial Administration Act.
84 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations referred to in section 41 of the Interpretation Act.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:
(a) setting expiry dates for licences, with power to prescribe different dates for different licences and different classes of licences;
(b) respecting special occasion licences and providing mechanisms for consultation by the general manager with public authorities and police before issuing those licences;
(c) setting and imposing fees and charges payable under this Act by applicants for licences, by licensees or by other persons who obtain or require the benefits or services of the branch, with power to impose different fees for different types of services or benefits and on different classes of persons and establishments;
(d) setting and imposing penalties for failing or refusing to pay a fee or charge referred to in paragraph (c) when and as that fee or charge is payable;
(e) defining a word or expression used but not defined in this Act;
(f) respecting any matter for which regulations are contemplated by this Act;
(g) controlling advertisements and signs used in or for licensed establishments and manufacturers of liquor;
(h) without limiting the powers of the general manager to impose conditions and restrictions on licences and on establishments, providing for types of entertainment and other activities that may be carried on in licensed establishments, and setting criteria by which the general manager may implement his or her powers under section 50 (2);
(i) respecting the issue of licences;
(j) respecting training programs referred to in section 13, with power
(i) to set different programs for licensees, managers and servers of liquor,
(ii) in prescribed situations to exempt persons or classes of persons from the requirement to complete training programs,
(iii) to set fees for attendance at training programs, and
(iv) to prescribe establishments or classes of establishments for which a training program is necessary;
(k) setting fees for filing appeals and providing for refunds in prescribed circumstances;
(l) conferring additional powers, duties or functions on the general manager;
(m) providing for the delegation by the general manager of any or all of his or her powers, duties or functions, including without restriction, powers, duties and functions relating to licensing or enforcement, to officers or other persons or to a committee, which may include the general manager or officers or both;
(n) prescribing the rules, practices and procedures to be followed by the appeal board in performing its duties and functions and exercising its powers;
(o) providing for licensing and controlling the manufacture of wine, beer and cider under section 55 (3) [for section 55 (3), see Supplement];
(p) imposing terms and conditions on licences issued, or to be issued, to liquor manufacturers, with power to impose different terms and conditions on licences issued or to be issued to different classes of liquor manufacturers;
(q) respecting the criteria to be considered by the general manager under sections 18 (4) and 45 (4) and the classes of persons eligible for exemptions under those provisions;
(r) respecting terms and conditions to be imposed by the general manager when granting exemptions under sections 18 (4) and 45 (4).
(3) Regulations made under subsection (2) (i) may set terms and conditions respecting all matters relating to the sale of liquor in establishments to be licensed.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the terms and conditions referred to in that subsection may
(a) provide for the issue of different classes of licences for different classes of establishments,
(b) specify the types of liquor that may be sold and consumed in an establishment,
(c) provide for and regulate the sale of liquor for off premises consumption,
(d) provide for and regulate the presence of minors in establishments in specific circumstances,
(e) set the hours of operation of an establishment,
(f) prohibit or restrict entertainment in an establishment in circumstances specified by the regulations,
(g) specify the allowable seating for different classes of establishments,
(h) specify requirements respecting the availability of foods and non-alcoholic beverages in an establishment,
(i) specify the manner and circumstances for the serving of liquor in dining and holding areas of an establishment, and
(j) specify requirements respecting the location of different classes of establishments.
(5) The terms and conditions under subsections (3) and (4) may be different for different classes of licences prescribed.
85 The general manager, every store manager and every official authorized by the general manager to issue permits and licences under this Act or the Liquor Distribution Act may administer an oath and take and receive an affidavit or declaration required under this Act or the regulations.