🍁 civid v1

Overview

• Bill S-203 would create the Alcoholic Beverage Promotion Prohibition Act, restricting alcohol promotion to protect public health and reduce social costs. It was at first reading on May 28, 2025.
• It covers beverages containing at least 1.1% ethyl alcohol by volume. “Young person” means someone under 18.
• The bill would affect alcohol producers, distributors and sellers; advertisers and other publishers; sponsors; and operators of facilities used for sports or cultural events. It creates a new Act; the provided text does not amend existing Acts.

Part 1 — Promotion

• The bill generally prohibits alcohol promotion, including price or distribution information, endorsements, depictions of people or animals, promotion appealing to young people, and associations with particular lifestyles.
• Subject to regulations, factual and brand-preference promotion would be allowed in specified circumstances, including communications addressed to named adults, places where young people are barred by law, and telecommunications where reasonable steps are taken to prevent access by young people. Point-of-sale promotion could state availability and price only.
• Certain unpaid artistic or educational works, reports and commentary, and industry-to-industry promotions not directed at consumers are excluded from Part 1, subject to regulations. The bill also permits certain brand displays on non-alcohol products, with restrictions.
• False or misleading promotion would be prohibited. Alcohol brands and industry names could not be used in sponsorship promotion or displayed on facilities used for sports or cultural events.
• Publishing or disseminating prohibited promotions for another person would generally be prohibited, with specified exceptions.
• Alcohol sellers generally could not offer free alcohol or goods, services or contest entries as purchase inducements. An exception applies to offers to alcohol producers, distributors or sellers, subject to regulations.

Part 2 — Administration and enforcement

• A designated minister could appoint inspectors. On reasonable grounds, inspectors could enter relevant places, including remotely, examine records and electronic data, seize items, and issue orders concerning goods, vehicles and activities.
• Entry to a dwelling would require an occupant’s consent or a warrant. Force under a warrant would require both a peace officer’s presence and specific authorization.
• Owners or persons in possession may have to pay for storage or movement of seized items. Items still detained after 120 days must be returned, disposed of or otherwise dealt with under regulations or ministerial direction.

Part 3 — Regulations

• The Governor in Council could make regulations on promotion, permitted places and methods, displays, prohibited terms and symbols, exceptions, inspectors’ powers and duties, and certain inspection costs.

Part 4 — Offences and punishment

• Promotion offences could carry maximum penalties of $500,000 or one year’s imprisonment, or both, on summary conviction; or $1 million or two years, or both, on indictment. Each day of a continuing promotion offence is a separate offence.
• Other violations could carry a maximum $50,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment, or both, on summary conviction.
• Corporate officers and agents involved in a promotion offence could be liable. A due diligence defence is available; an accused bears the burden of proving an applicable exception or exemption.
• Summary-conviction proceedings must be started within two years of the matter arising.

Part 5 — Coming into force

• The Act would take effect on a day set by order, or on the first anniversary of royal assent, whichever is earlier.