Ont. to ease liquor laws as of Wednesday

 

John Milner, QMI Agency

First posted: Friday, May 27, 2011 7:52:27 EDT AM

Liquor laws in Ontario will be relaxed effective Wednesday, in a move the provincial government says will create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Announced early Friday, the new guidelines includes allowing customers to drink outside beer tents at events.

"Local communities are free to customize the events to their needs," said a government news release.

Other changes include:

• Restaurant and bar servers can carry drinks on public sidewalks to licensed areas such as patios
• Special events such as weddings or charity fundraisers can serve alcohol for an extra hour until 2 a.m.
• All-inclusive vacation packages can now be sold in Ontario
• Business owners can give a complimentary drink to customers to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary
• Street festivals can allow people to leave their bar or restaurant with a drink in hand, providing specified conditions are met to ensure public safety
• Boat tours can begin to serve alcohol before the boat leaves the dock
• Businesses, such as spas and art galleries, that are not mainly in the food and alcohol industry will be able to apply for an SOP to serve alcohol during a special event