Liquor Licensing Public Consultation

Nova Scotians are invited to comment on proposed changes to liquor regulations that will benefit consumers and reduce red tape for licensed businesses.

The proposed changes will bring Nova Scotia's liquor licensing practices more closely in line with those of other Canadian provinces.

The proposed changes will include:

• Nova Scotians who dine out will be allowed to take home partially consumed, fully re-corked bottles of wine. This helps protect the health and safety of diners who may not wish to consume, in one sitting, the wine they were served with the meal.

• Licensees will no longer be required to submit monthly records of liquor sales and purchases so long as they keep the records on site for at least three years. The result will be reduced paperwork and administrative costs.

"This consultation period will give Nova Scotians an opportunity to understand and respond to the proposed improvements to the regulations," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour.

"We are striving to make liquor licensing regulations easier to understand and to increase competitiveness while maintaining public safety measures."

The liquor licensing regulations are administered by the Department of Environment and Labour's alcohol and gaming division.

All Nova Scotians, including licensees and those responsible for enforcing liquor regulations, are invited to comment before Dec. 1.

The liquor licensing regulations and A Guide to Proposed Amendments to Liquor Licensing Regulations are available on the department website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla and by calling toll free at 1-800-567-7544.

Nova Scotians may send their comments in writing by mail to Department of Environment and Labour, Policy Division, P.O. Box 697, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2T8, or by e-mail to [email protected] .