Prince George, B.C. – The provincial government is taking action to ensure that people caught supplying minors with alcohol face appropriate penalties.

Police and liquor inspectors now have the ability to issue $575-tickets to people found giving or serving liquor to anyone under the age of 19. This covers ‘bootlegging’, where adults purchase alcohol for minors. For the first time, it also includes servers at restaurants or bars who fail to ensure their customers are adults by checking for appropriate identification. Violation tickets can be issued to anyone found providing liquor to minors unless it is their parent or guardian.

Licensees who operate businesses where liquor is being served are already accountable, and penalties for minors being served in their establishments range from $7,500-$10,000 or a 10-15 day suspension.

The tickets streamline penalties for serving liquor to minors. Currently, police hand out court appearance notices for violations. These policing and court resources can now be redirected to other priorities. People receiving tickets may still dispute them in court, but if not disputed, the tickets are valid and payable.