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CBC News Aug 1
New liquor laws aimed at curbing binge drinking and reducing violence in Alberta bars and lounges took effect Friday. The new rules, announced by the province in July, put a minimum price on drinks, eliminate cheap drink specials, regulate the duration of "happy hours" and limit the number of drinks people can order at last call. The minimum price for liquor will now be $2.75 per 12-ounce bottle or can of beer, cider or cooler, and $3.20 per 20-imperial ounce pint of beer. Under the new restrictions on happy hours — where bars and restaurants slash drink prices to as low as $1 to attract customers — drinks cannot be sold for less than the regular menu price after 8 p.m. Patrons will only be allowed to order two drinks at last call and they will no longer be allowed to have more than two drinks in their possession. Tony Johansen, who manages the Melrose Bar and Grill on Calgary's Red Mile, said he supports the changes even though they will hurt business.
"If it helps with the violence that I am seeing on the news every night then I guess that is a good thing, but I kind of think people will find a way to get around it and maybe it will just cause more drinking on the street after the bars close," he told CBC News. One of his customers, Caroline Horne, said she also supports the new rules but questioned whether they will be effective. "I think it's about time, but it will be interesting to see how it's going to be enforced," she said. Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have already implemented similar liquor rules.
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Don Quixote Note: The regulation of Cheap Drink Nights was discussed at Vernon City Council yesterday.
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