Manitoba proposes new licence for liquor, cannabis deliveries
Justice Minister Cameron Friesen said this new licence would shift liability from the restaurants to third-party delivery companies.
Manitoba is set to begin consultations for licensing third-party delivery services for alcohol and cannabis orders from restaurants.
The consultations would potentially lead to an amendment to the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and run for 45 days. This would further alter the act, which last June permitted restaurants to sell alcohol through these delivery services.
Delivery drivers had to have proper safe and serving certification and confirm identification upon delivery, but the sole licensing remained with restaurants, leaving them ultimately responsible.
Because of this, Shaun Jeffrey, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservice Association, said few restaurants took advantage of the opportunity.
“Considering the tribulations and issues of the last 18 months of COVID, having something alleviated from restaurant operators shoulders from baring the insurance costs or the liability of delivering alcohol, it’s obviously a win,” said Jeffrey.
The hope with this amendment is it would motivate more restaurants to participate.
Justice Minister Cameron Friesen said this new licence would shift liability from the restaurants to third-party delivery companies.
The province also said the proposed legislation would enable the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) to develop a minor agent program that would enhance its capacity to enforce breaches related to delivering alcohol or cannabis-related products to minors. Agents would attempt to purchase these products and allow the LGCA to monitor compliance with prohibitions on underage sales.
Jeffrey said there had not been any issues that had arisen from the delivery of alcohol to this point.
In an email, a spokesperson for SkipTheDishes noted, “We look forward to consulting with the LGCA on how SkipTheDishes can continue to provide safe and convenient alcohol delivery for customers across Manitoba.”
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