The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) says it now has a winning formula for cracking down on liquor stores selling to minors - one that centres on undercover agents who are underage.
When conducting a sting, two liquor inspectors accompany a minor agent, an LCLB spokesperson said on background.
Following a risk assessment to make sure the store is safe to enter, the agent goes in under close observation by the inspectors, selects product, and attempts a purchase.
If the purchase attempt has been successful, the minor turns over any purchased liquor and receipt to the liquor inspector for proper retention and documentation, said the spokesperson.
The program comes after the government amended the Liquor Control and Licensing Act in 2010 to allow minors to make purchases for the purpose of testing liquor stores' compliance with the law.
Prior to that, the LCLB had been relying on youthful-looking agents but because they were 19 years or older, the LCLB did not have authority to take action against stores that failed to ask for ID.
Since the program began in May 2011, compliance rates have skyrocketed to 98 per cent for government stores and 82 per cent for private stores, compared to 56 and 27 per cent respectively in 2009, according to a November LCLB report.
Initial inspections were conducted on Vancouver Island and on the Lower Mainland, and recently within the Okanagan and Prince George.
The program is in the process of being rolled out across the entire province.
A first contravention carries a $7,500 to $10,000 and-or a 10-to-15 day suspension. A second contravention means a 20-to-30 day suspension.
According to the latest LCLB compliance and enforcement summary, from May 4 to Dec. 31 last year 29 stores were issued the minimum $7,500 fine for selling to a minor including one in Prince George - the College Heights Pub liquor store for a Nov. 5 infraction.
