Following the suspension of a Kingston pub’s liquor license, Ontario’s alcohol regulatory agency says there will be “consequences” for companies that fail to comply with the province’s new vaccine certification rules.
The Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission suspended the sports pub’s liquor license Thursday after the Kingston Public Health Unit received complaints that JAKK Tuesday was not asking customers for proof of vaccination, a requirement of all interior dining business.
JAKK Tuesday is the first company to have its liquor license revoked since the certificate rules went into effect last week, but it may not be the last.
In a statement to the Star, the AGCO said companies that do not comply with the regulation could face fines, temporary suspensions of their liquor license or, in the most extreme circumstances, a complete revocation of the license.
“Those who have a license to sell alcohol are responsible for meeting their obligations under the Liquor Licensing Act and laws and regulations such as the Ontario Reopening Act,” the AGCO wrote.
“There are consequences for licensees who do not meet these requirements.”
The license suspension came after Kingston charter officers visited JAKK on Tuesday, September 23, and accused the establishment of violating the Ontario Reopening Act.
Officials had also visited the pub on September 10, before the certificates went into effect, where the pub’s owners said they were not going to follow the province’s new rules.
The province has said it is taking an “education first” approach to law enforcement, encouraging companies to change their policies before issuing charges. Fines for evading the province’s certification rules can range from $ 1,000 to $ 10 million.
The city of Toronto said it is also conducting business inspections to make sure they are “following these requirements and responding to complaints.”
As of Wednesday, the city said it had received more than 500 complaints regarding vaccination certificates, but had not filed any charges.
On Monday, The Star reported that hundreds of Ontario businesses have opposed the government’s new vaccine certificate regulations.
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Reference-www.thestar.com