LCLB REPORT
by Karen Ayers

New Regulations Regarding Minors 
In follow-up to a topic covered in this column in the last issue, the government has now passed legislation amending the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. The changes are aimed at reducing underage drinking in BC. Effective June 21, 2007 it is now an offence for a minor to use fake or altered identification. The ticketed fine for this offence, as issued by the police, is $115, and payment is tied to the issuance and renewal of driver licences and vehicle registration. We are hopeful that this will act as a deterrent to minors and will assist licensees in preventing minors from accessing liquor. 

As you may be aware, in February the government brought into effect new regulations that increased the penalties for licensees that serve liquor or permit minors in establishments where they are prohibited. The minimum penalty for being found to have served liquor to minors increased to a 10-day licence suspension and/or a $7,500 fine. This is an increase from the previous 4-day suspension and/or a $5,000 fine. Similarly, the minimum penalty for allowing minors into a prohibited establishment has increased to a 4 day suspension and/or a $5,000 fine. This is an increase from the previous 1 day suspension and/or $1,000 fine. These changes occurred at the same time as the removal of the requirement to ask for identification from any person appearing to be under the age of 25.
Studies indicate that minors are currently consuming larger amounts of alcohol, and at earlier ages than before. Alcohol consumption by minors is associated with unwanted pregnancies, smoking, youth violence, poor school performance, youth suicide rates, death and injury from driving accidents as well as negative developmental impacts on the part of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking. It is for these reasons that restricting access to liquor by minors is a key public safety priority for government. 

New Deputy General Manager
I’d like to introduce Jaclynn (Jackie) Hunter, our new Deputy General Manager of Compliance and Enforcement. Jackie and her team, which includes the regional managers, liquor inspectors, and investigators and advocates in the branch, are responsible for all compliance and enforcement-related functions.

Jaclynn has most recently spent close to seven years as Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Licensing and Compliance Branch in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, where she and her team were accountable for regulating and monitoring shellfish and finfish aquaculture and commercial fisheries on a province-wide basis. Some of her career-related accomplishments include negotiating a province-wide Service Agreement on Compliance and Enforcement Programs for finfish and shellfish aquaculture, and very recently negotiating some constructive agreements with First Nations that have an interest in aquaculture. Previous to this position, Jaclynn worked in a number of government ministries in both management and communications-related capacities.

Jaclynn is looking forward to her new role and to working with her staff, licensees, and other industry stakeholders. She intends to meet with numerous stakeholders and licensees as she settles into the position, and I encourage licensees to contact her if they would like to arrange a meeting or introduce themselves.