Bulletin 23-07: Updates to Hearing Rules

Who's impacted

This change applies if you (the licensee or applicant) participate in a licensing, compliance, or enforcement decision hearing.

What's changing

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has updated the rules that apply to the three types of hearings conducted under both the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act:

• Licensing
• Compliance
• Enforcement

Key updates to the hearing rules include:

• New references to compliance and licensing hearing rules and procedures
• Hearings for licence, permit or authorization applicants will continue using a written process
• For licensees and authorization holders, the decision-maker will normally conducts hearings in writing unless they determine an oral hearing is necessary
• In determining whether an oral hearing is necessary, the decision-maker may consider prejudice to the licensee, the complexity or nature of the issues, or other factors they consider substantive to the decision
• Oral hearings will normally take place by videoconference
• A licensing or compliance hearing will be a ‘show cause’ type hearing; the cross-examination of the respondent is not a component of a show cause hearing

Helpful information

These hearing rules only apply to the LCRB’s internal hearing process and don’t include a process to pursue regulatory offences or enforcement actions for non-compliance.

Learn more about the different types of hearings.

Access the updated Hearing Rules [PDF, 344KB].

Document history

These updated Hearing Rules take precedence over any other LCRB document that touches on hearing procedures and are effective immediately.