January 8, 2018 - Effective January 2018, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will require any liquor sales licensee or special event organizer applying for an extension of hours for the sale and service of alcohol to notify, in writing, the local municipality (where the event is taking place) that they have applied to the AGCO for an extension of hours.
The applicant must provide the AGCO a copy of the notification letter they have sent to the local municipality.
Background
The AGCO has authority for extending the standard hours of sale and service of alcohol in licensed establishments across the province (generally 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.) during events of:
- municipal significance, or
- provincial, national or international significance
In order for an event to be deemed of municipal significance, it requires a designation by the applicable municipal council or a delegated official.
In order for an event to be recognized as one of provincial, national or international significance, it must be determined as such by the Registrar of Alcohol, Gaming and Racing.
All applications submitted to the AGCO for a temporary extension of hours for events of provincial, national and international significance must now be accompanied by a copy of the written notification the applicant has sent to the local municipality. The notification must have advised the municipality of the following:
- that the liquor sales licensee / event organizer has applied to the AGCO for an extension of hours for the sale and service of alcohol
- the name and date(s) and location of the event
- the date(s) and time(s) of the extension requested
For more information on this new requirement, please email customer.service@agco.ca or call the AGCO’s Customer Service Department at 416 326-8700 (GTA) or 1 800 522-2876 (toll-free in Ontario).