REGINA — The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) recently made a number of changes to the liquor-permitting process and a number of other areas, some of which will save licensed restaurants and foodservice businesses time and money.
The changes are the result of amendments to The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997 (AGRA) that were effective on May 23, 2023 and The Alcohol Control Regulations, 2016 (ACR) that came into effect April 26. The red tape reduction-focused changes include:
- Simplification of the application process for liquor permits by removing the requirement to advertise an application
- Removal of the objection process for liquor-permit applications
- Increased flexibility for permittees when re-sealing wine or approved beer for customers
- Addition of approved cider as a category of alcohol which permittees must re-seal at the customer’s request
Other key changes include:
- Introduction of hotel/motel lobby and public market special-use permits
- Confirmation of municipal authority to pass bylaws that reduce the hours of operation for permitted establishments within the provincially allowed maximum hours
- Removal of the requirement that measuring devices used to measure spirits be made of glass
