Public has say in new BC liquor laws
By Nelson Daily Staff
People who want to have a drink on the beach or enjoy a family lunch with drinks with children can now voice their choice through a new website launched by the B.C. Government.
Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Reform John Yap launched the new Liquor Policy Review website – www.gov.bc.ca/liquorpolicyreview – while touring Steamworks Brewing Co.’s new facility in Burnaby.
Yap invites British Columbians to get involved with the site – through blog discussions, Twitter chats and feedback forms – to better understand B.C.’s liquor system and to offer vital input on ways to improve it.
“I’ve already been able to meet with a number of industry and stakeholder groups to listen to their feedback and ideas on liquor reform, but I know British Columbians have many opinions of their own as well,” Yap explains.
“We want to hear all of those over the next six weeks and I’m looking forward to actively engaging with people around the province through social media during that time to hear their ideas and their stories.”
The goal of government’s review is to find changes to B.C.’s laws on the use and sale of beer, wine and spirits that improve customer convenience and grow B.C.’s economy, while ensuring public health and safety.
The new website broadens the consultation to include all British Columbians.
“Our government has been hearing from industry and stakeholders about changes they would like made to B.C.’s liquor laws. This is the first review to take place in over a decade and the time is now to also hear from British Columbians,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton.
“Our government has created this website to stir discussion, and to collect ideas for common-sense changes that balance consumer convenience and economic activity with public health and safety.”
Along with logging public input and generating discussion, the website features written submissions provided by stakeholders, video blogs from Yap and an archival look at B.C.’s liquor history, as well as answers to commonly held questions around the production, sale and consumption of beer, wine and spirits.
“Steamworks is making a significant investment in Burnaby that will create approximately 20 new jobs in addition to the 200 people employed in our iconic Gastown Brew Pub,” said President of Steamworks Brewing Co. Walter Cosman.
“The renaissance of craft brewing presents significant opportunities for increased tourism, jobs, and spin-off benefits for both the Province and local communities throughout B.C. We welcome an opportunity to add our view to help update th
Input will be gathered until the Liquor Policy Review consultation process ends on Oct. 31, 2013, with a final report to be presented to Attorney General and Minister of Justice Anton by Nov. 25, 2013.e Province’s liquor policies to help make this opportunity a reality.”
