‘By funding this online training program, we support a valuable public safety initiative without having a negative effect upon employers or employees’
Anyone who serves and sells liquor at licensed establishments in New Brunswick will be required to take an online course on responsible practices starting Sept. 1, 2021.
The new rule is part of recent amendments to the Liquor Control Act that were tabled last year.
The online course, which will be delivered by the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick, is now available for owners of licensed establishments who want their staff to get a head start.
“As businesses emerge from the pandemic, it is important that we support them in ways such as this,” says Trevor Holder, minister of post-secondary education, training and labour. “By funding this online training program, we support a valuable public safety initiative without having a negative effect upon employers or employees.”
The province’s Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour is investing $150,000 to offer the course to participants free of charge until March 21, 2022.
“Many Canadian provinces require that bartenders and servers be trained on how to refuse service if a consumer is intoxicated, as well as other regulatory matters,” says Hugh Flemming, minister of justice and public safety. “We are pleased that the tourism industry association will be delivering a flexible training option for those who work in the industry.”
The province now allows the sale of liquor with food orders for take-out or delivery. The industry had originally been granted temporary permission to do so under the mandatory order of the state of emergency, but effective May 1, this activity is permitted under the Liquor Control Act regulation.
Previously, Ontario, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan have also announced programs for the training of workers.
