and wow...
B.C. government changes rules to allow liquor licensed venues to screen movies
By Stephen Hui, February 9, 2012
Updates:
• Rio Theatre owner says liquor licensing changes are not a real fix
• NDP MLA Jenny Kwan welcomes new B.C. liquor licence rules
After weeks of controversy over East Vancouver's Rio Theatre losing the ability to screen films after gaining a liquor licence, the B.C. Liberal government is changing the rules.
Rich Coleman, minister of energy and mines, announced this morning (February 9) that "effective immediately" the province is "making liquor licences more flexible for venues that host live events".
According to a news release from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the regulatory change will mean that licence holders can screen films and broadcast pay-per-view programs outside the hours outlined in their liquor licence.
Licensed venues will still not be allowed to serve liquor during the screening of movies.
"Licence holders will have the ability to choose the days of the week and hours of the day they wish to have liquor service, and are free to screen films or broadcasts on the other days and times of the week," the release states.
"Once the days and hours of liquor service have been approved by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, licence holders may apply for temporary changes to liquor service hours."
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival screenings originally scheduled for the Rio Theatre had to be moved to Denman Cinemas, after the Rio got a liquor licence and was informed by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch that it could no longer screen films.
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http://www.straight.com/article-6038...-screen-movies