The Mountain View Seniors' Housing (MVSH) board would have to hold discussions before deciding whether to permit residents to consume liquor in common areas in its lodges and other facilities, says CAO Sam Smalldon.
Last week the province announced a number of changes to Alberta’s liquor regulations. Those changes include that seniors' lodge facility owners and operators can authorize residents to consume their own supply of liquor within other rooms and common areas.
It is up to the facility owners to decide whether to authorize changes to policies to allow for the expanded liquor consumption rules.
Currently, residents in MVSH facilities are permitted to consume liquor in their own rooms or suites. As well, they can drink liquor in common areas during special events, but only when a liquor licence has been obtained from the province.
“Our current policy is we will seek licence,” he said. “We allow residents in their private rooms or suites to have things they would have in their homes.
“We haven’t had it in common areas so this would be a change we would have to discuss before considering our direction and that would have to go to the board.
“If there was any change to the status quo, it would have to go through the board as approved policy.”
Asked if and when that discussion could come before the board, he said, “We would discuss it as management first and if it was to come before the board it would take a board decision (to change the policy).”
There have been no requests for changes to the current liquor policy from any MVSH facility residents, he said.
“We don’t have any pressing need to consider it prior to this announcement,” he said. “We were not consulted and this is a surprise to us. We’ll certainly consider it when the need arises.
“Certainly we will accommodate it if the demand is there. That’s the type of thing that the board will have to decide.”
Other changes to Alberta’s liquor regulations include allowing guests and performers at theatre events to consume liquor products after the performance within the licensed areas of the venue.
As well, bars and restaurants will now be allowed to create house-aged liquor products.
“Alberta’s liquor laws have been updated to keep pace with the evolution of today’s liquor industry,” said Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission president Alain Maisonneuve.
“We listened to Albertans and implemented new policies to reflect the growing trends among home brewers and bartenders, as well as creating opportunity for small businesses.”
The province also announced that effective Dec. 1, 2018, charities will see the limit for small raffles increase from $10,000 to $20,000. On the same date, there will be reduction in licensing feeds for bingo and pull tickets.
The changes will help eligible organizations raise more proceeds for their causes, said Minister of Finance Joe Ceci.
