Mac’s Pizza Ltd., the operator of the Boston Pizza location on West Central, has been fined $7,000 for serving liquor to a minor, with the fine handed out by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch on Feb. 21.
The branch's decision noted the offence occurred on July 28, 2023, with the restaurant serving liquor to a minor employed as an agent under the branch's "Minors as Agents Program", a sting operation compliance tool.
A liquor inspector of 17 years with the branch was called as the sole witness to the incident. The inspection team sent to the Prince George area consisted of two liquor inspectors and two minor agents.
"The selection of licensee facilities for inspection on the day in question was random," notes the decision. One of the minor agents was 18 years of age and the other was 17 years of age.
The inspector attended the Boston Pizza around 2:54 p.m. on July 28, and sat at a patio section, observing the two minor agents who were sent in after her. One of the minor agents ordered a beer, and the other water. No IDs were checked, according to her testimony.
The inspector took pictures of the beer and the minor agents at their patio table, and informed the manager of the Boston Pizza of the contravention, paying for the beer before she left.
The $7,000 fine has a payment deadline of March 21, 2024.
