The Province is seeking stakeholder feedback regarding its ‘Liquor to Go’ policy, which allows certain businesses to sell liquor for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for takeout or delivery. Local governments are invited to provide their input on this policy by responding to a provincial engagement paper by August 7, 2025.
Provincial regulations were temporarily amended in 2020, authorizing Food Primary (e.g., restaurants) and Liquor Primary (e.g., bars, pubs, nightclubs) licensees to sell ‘Liquor to Go’ with the purchase of a meal. These changes were made to support the hospitality industry at a time when COVID-19 restrictions were in place for in-house dining. This policy was made permanent in 2021.
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is examining changes to the ‘Liquor to Go’ policy to ensure that it meets the Province’s objectives: supporting the hospitality industry, and balancing public health and safety.
As part of the March 2025 UBCM-PSSG Liquor Policy Working Group meeting, the Province and local governments discussed compliance challenges associated with this policy. Notable compliance issues related to the requirement to serve a meal with liquor; the interpretation of what constitutes a meal; and, that some establishments were emphasizing and focused on liquor sales for off-site consumption as opposed to their core responsibilities to provide in-house food and beverage services.
The Province’s engagement paper includes several questions for consideration. Local governments are invited to answer these questions, and provide additional input on the benefits and challenges associated with this policy. Questions and/or input regarding this engagement may be sent to the LCRB.
Local government staff members interested in joining the Liquor Policy Working Group are asked to contact Bhar Sihota, UBCM Senior Policy Analyst.