Smart Serve Ontario Ontario Liquor Laws 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Ontario law, is it legal for a patron to bring their own alcohol into a licensed establishment?
- Yes, at any time
- Yes, but only wine with a meal
- No, unless the establishment has a bring-your-own (BYO) endorsement (Correct answer)
- No, under no circumstances
Correct answer: No, unless the establishment has a bring-your-own (BYO) endorsement
Patrons may only bring their own wine to a licensed establishment if the establishment holds a valid BYO wine endorsement from the AGCO. Otherwise, bringing outside alcohol is prohibited.
Question 2: What does 'over-service' mean under Ontario liquor legislation?
- Serving too many customers at once
- Continuing to serve alcohol to a person who is or appears intoxicated (Correct answer)
- Serving more than two drinks at a time
- Serving alcohol past 2 a.m.
Correct answer: Continuing to serve alcohol to a person who is or appears intoxicated
Over-service means continuing to sell or serve alcohol to a person who shows signs of intoxication. This is a serious offence under the Liquor Licence and Control Act.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT an accepted form of photo ID for alcohol purchases in Ontario?
- Canadian passport
- Canadian Citizenship Card with photo
- BYID card (Ontario Photo Card)
- College or university student card (Correct answer)
Correct answer: College or university student card
College or university student cards are not government-issued identification and are not accepted for the purpose of verifying age for alcohol purchases in Ontario.
Question 4: In Ontario, can a municipality pass bylaws that are more restrictive than provincial liquor laws?
- No, provincial law always overrides
- Yes, municipalities can impose additional restrictions (Correct answer)
- Only with federal approval
- Only in cities with populations over 100,000
Correct answer: Yes, municipalities can impose additional restrictions
Municipalities in Ontario have the authority to pass bylaws that impose additional restrictions on alcohol service beyond what provincial legislation requires, such as limiting hours of service.
Question 5: What is the consequence for a server who personally sells alcohol to a minor in Ontario?
- Only the establishment is penalized
- The server faces no personal liability
- The server can be personally fined and face criminal charges (Correct answer)
- The server receives a verbal warning for a first offence
Correct answer: The server can be personally fined and face criminal charges
Individual servers in Ontario can be personally fined up to $100,000 for a first offence and may also face criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for selling alcohol to a minor.
Question 6: What is the legal requirement regarding signage about drinking and driving in Ontario licensed establishments?
- No signage is required
- A sign about impaired driving penalties must be posted in a visible location (Correct answer)
- Signs are only required in bars, not restaurants
- Signs are only required during holiday periods
Correct answer: A sign about impaired driving penalties must be posted in a visible location
Licensed establishments in Ontario are required to display signage warning about the dangers and penalties of impaired driving in a location visible to patrons.
Smart Serve Ontario Ontario Liquor Laws 3
Under Ontario law, is it legal for a patron to bring their own alcohol into a licensed establishment?