The Alcohol and Gaming Commission today (AGCO) announced the Ontario government has approved two changes to regulation that increase the hours of sale for liquor manufacturers and increases flexibility for wineries that sell at Farmers’ Markets.

These changes are part of the government’s goal of “enhancing consumer choice and convenience, reduce administrative burden on businesses.”

The AGCO’s regulatory changes are summarized below:

Changes to “By the Glass” Hours of Sale and Service

• Regulation 719 under the Liquor License Act (LLA) for manufacturers has been amended to extend the sale and service of alcohol from 9am to 9pm to 9am to 12am (midnight).

• Takes effect on October 4^th, 2019

Increase in Flexibility for Wineries at Farmers Markets Returning Unsold Products to On-Site Retail Stores

• Regulation 720 under the LLA has been amended to increase the time from 24 hours to 72 hours for a winery to return unsold product from a farmers’ market to their on-site retail store.

• Licensed wine manufactures are able to sell VQA wine, fruit wine, honey wine, or maple wine at farmers’ markets.

• Change takes effect on October 4^th, 2019.

For more information on the changes, please click here.