WEST CARLETON – Your favourite West Carleton take-out restaurant can now pack a few brews for you to take home with dinner.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is announcing a number of temporary measures to support Ontarians and businesses that have been significantly impacted by the spread of COVID-19.

“Effective immediately, licensed restaurants and bars in Ontario may sell alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.,” AGCO released in a statement yesterday (March 26). “All active liquor licensees may immediately begin offering this service if they choose and there is no application process or fee required. Liquor may be sold for takeout or delivery through a third party, such as a food delivery service or ordering platform, provided they are acting on behalf of the licensee.”

The holder of the liquor sales licence is accountable for the responsible sale and delivery of alcohol. This includes making sure the person to whom the order is delivered is at least 19 and is not intoxicated. The licensee or its staff involved in the delivery of alcohol must have successfully completed Smart Serve training. In instances where the delivery is being carried out by a third party on behalf of the licensee, Smart Serve certification is required by April 25.

“Everyone at the AGCO is concerned for the individuals, families, businesses and communities affected by this virus,” AGCO CEO Jean Major said. “We are working closely with the Government of Ontario to find ways of supporting Ontarians and the sectors we regulate during these challenging times.”

Additionally, the AGCO is temporarily allowing authorized grocery stores and liquor manufacturer retail stores to begin selling alcohol as of 7:00 am in order to support early shopping programs for vulnerable people and to provide greater flexibility to retail stores. The temporary extension of hours also provides greater flexibility for all alcohol retail stores to choose their hours of sale to meet public health objectives. Consumers are encouraged to confirm the operating hours with retailers.  

The AGCO is also extending by three months the term of all active liquor, gaming and cannabis licences, authorizations and registrations during this extraordinary situation. In all cases, licensees do not need to do anything. Existing licences will simply remain in effect for the extended period, at no additional cost.

In the case of horse racing, all horseperson licences will be extended for one year, to reflect the fact that those licences renew on an individual’s birth date. Also, given the seasonal nature of horse racing, horse person licences that expired within the last six months will also be renewed for one year, subject to any rulings or other regulatory requirements.