AGCO Introduces Youth Compliance Monitor Program

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is strengthening efforts to guard youth by way of updates to its Mystery Shop Program.

Under this strengthened strategy, Youth Compliance Monitors will work alongside AGCO Inspectors to observe compliance to make sure the secure, accountable and lawful sale of age-restricted merchandise resembling alcohol and hashish. Youth Compliance Monitors are people aged 16-18 appointed by the Registrar and employed by the AGCO.

What is altering?

Working alongside an AGCO Inspector, Youth Compliance Monitors will go to licensed shops and institutions and try and buy age-restricted merchandise as a part of a certified AGCO compliance program carried out in accordance with legislative and regulatory authority.

If a Youth Compliance Monitor efficiently purchases such a product, the licensee can be cited for a violation beneath the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 or the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, and should face enforcement motion.  

What does this imply for me?

Selling age-restricted merchandise to minors is a severe violation beneath each the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 and the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018.

Licensees present in violation could face financial penalties or extra extreme regulatory sanctions (together with licence circumstances, suspensions, or revocation) primarily based on the circumstances and compliance historical past.

Why this strategy?

This enhanced strategy aligns with greatest practices generally utilized in different jurisdictions to guard youth from accessing age-restricted merchandise. 

The AGCO has a mandate to observe compliance with legal guidelines that prohibit the sale of alcohol and hashish merchandise to minors and to make sure that schooling efforts are complemented by robust enforcement measures when violations happen. This is a key a part of the AGCO’s dedication to lowering hurt to the general public within the sectors it regulates. 

Know your regulatory necessities 

Licensees have a obligation to not promote, serve or provide liquor or hashish to anybody beneath the age of 19.  

Cannabis retailers: 

• Under Ontario Regulation 468/18 (part 20), you should request identification from anybody who seems to be beneath 25 years outdated and make sure that they’re at the least 19 years of age earlier than permitting them to enter the shop.
• The Cannabis Control Act, 2017 (part 7) prohibits the sale of hashish to individuals beneath the age of 19.

Liquor licensees:

• Under Ontario Regulation 746/21: Licensing (part 9), you should test and confirm identification of anybody who seems beneath 19 years of age earlier than promoting or serving liquor.
• The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (part 33(1)(b)) prohibits the sale of liquor to an individual who seems to be beneath 19 years of age.
• The Registrar’s Standards for Grocery and Convenience Stores (5.3) and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor (5.14) prohibit the possession of liquor by minors in retail shops.

Helpful hyperlinks 

Contact the AGCO for extra info

AGCO Inspectors can be found to supply help. If you’ve gotten questions in regards to the enhanced program, please e mail [email protected].

Contact the AGCO anytime through the iAGCO on-line portal
or name AGCO Customer Service Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to five:00 p.m. at 416-326-8700 or toll-free at 1-800-522-2876.