AGLC under-25 Audit Letter

Published on May 4, 2012

The AGLC is conducting an audit of licensees to ensure they are complying with the Under-25 liquor policy and preventing underage Albertans from entering minors-prohibited premises or attempting to purchase liquor.

The Under-25 policy requires liquor licensees and their staff to ask for identification from anyone who appears to be under 25 years of age. Even though the legal drinking age is 18, it can be difficult to determine if someone is actually 18 – it’s basically a judgment call. So the only way to ensure you are complying with the policy is to ask for proof of age when you’re serving youthful looking customers.  

The audit runs May 7 to August 31, and all licensees who do not comply with the policy during an initial visit will receive a second visit to ensure compliance.  

The penalty for not checking ID on the first visit is a $750 fine or a three-day suspension if the licensee/manager is found in violation; a warning is issued if a staff member is found in violation of the policy.

The penalty for not checking ID on the second visit is a $1,500 fine or a six-day suspension.

To raise awareness of the Under-25 audit and related policy, the AGLC has provided two recognizable posters, It’s the Law and Hard to Tell – Have to Ask, to all licensees. In addition, newspaper ads will run in Alberta’s dailies to remind both the industry and the public about this important policy.  

Visit aglc.ca for more information on the Under-25 audit and related policy.