Last call for cheap drinks in Alberta
03.07.2008 22:01
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- Source: cbc.ca
The Alberta government is implementing new liquor rules, including minimum drink prices, in an effort to curb binge drinking and bar violence. Starting Aug. 1, the province will eliminate cheap drink specials, regulate the duration of "happy hours," and limit the quantity of last-call orders, according to a Thursday news release outlining amendments to Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission policies. | Minimum drink prices | | Spirits and liqueurs | $2.75 per ounce | | Wine | $0.35 per ounce ($1.75 per 5 oz. glass) | | Draught beer | $0.16 per ounce ($3.20 per 20 oz. pint) | | Beer, cider or coolers in cans or bottles | $2.75 per 12 oz. bottle or can | | Source: Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission |
"We've been seeing a kind of steady incline in violence in and around bars, and it's a concern to all Albertans, and so these are just some measures we're putting in place to encourage them to drink more responsibly," said Fred Lindsay, solicitor general and minister of public security. The new rules set a minimum price for liquor, including $2.75 per 12 ounce bottle/can of beer, cider or cooler, and $3.20 per 20 ounce pint of beer. Under new restrictions on happy hours — where bars and restaurants slash drink prices to as low as $1 to attract customers — drinks cannot be sold for less than the regular menu price after 8 p.m. Limits on drink orders will kick in after 1 a.m. when patrons will be limited to two standard servings (one ounce of liquor per highball or one bottle or can of beer) per order, and they can no longer have more than two drinks in their possession. "These changes have great potential to reduce the public order problems associated with binge drinking," said Mike Shimka, vice-president of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association. "Most of us would never guzzle a tray full of cheap highballs just before closing time, but many of us have shared a sidewalk with someone who has. These new changes should make closing times outside bars a lot more peaceful." In May, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach said his government was working on new rules to limit alcohol consumption in bars after two Edmonton police officers were attacked as they tried to break up a fight outside a downtown bar. RelatedInternal LinksAlberta government to crack down on cheap drinksBar charged in woman's drinking deathCalgary police chief promotes raising drinking ageConsumer HeadlinesJazz Air eliminating 270 jobs, cutting serviceRegional carrier Jazz Air LP, based in Halifax, said Thursday it is cutting 270 jobs and trimming its capacity by five per cent in the wake of cutbacks announced last month by Air Canada. Track fruits and veggies from farm to store, consumer groups urgeConsumer groups are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to introduce a new tracking program while investigators continue looking into a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 887 people in the U.S.No pay-then-pump law for Nova Scotia, premier saysPremier Rodney MacDonald says he has no plan to bring in rules requiring motorists to pay for gas before fuelling up.Last call for cheap drinks in AlbertaThe Alberta government is implementing new liquor rules, including minimum drink prices, in an effort to curb binge drinking and bar violence.Quebec hotel workers vote on strikesThe union that represents Quebec hotel workers is planning to stage rotating strikes without warning this summer to spur stalled contract talks. Consumer Life FeaturesCRUDE AWAKENINGSPricey oilFrom bloomers to bagels, the trickle-down costENERGYGasolinePeculiar pump price protestsTECHNOLOGYDesign softwareThe building blocks of LegoBLOGFood BytesHunting for the perfect fruitBLOGComm-OdditiesLife fetches $384,000 on eBayPeople who read this also read …
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