Saskatchewan loosens its liquor laws

The provincial government Wednesday eased some long-standing restrictions on the sale and production of alcohol in Saskatchewan.

New regulations will allow restaurant patrons to take home an unfinished bottle of wine, so long as the bottles are resealed before they leave.

The revamped rules dictate that a partial bottle may be transported, so long as it has been tightly corked. If wine bottle is a screw-top, those bottles must also be resealed with cork.

Another change will allow businesses to offer a home-delivery service for spirits. Anyone wanting to set-up such a business would have to apply to the provincial liquor authority for a permit.

Dan D'Autremont, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan's liquor laws, said Wednesday that there will be some checks on home deliveries, to ensure people are not supplying alcohol to minors.

"We can certainly control who is picking up the bottle at the door, and who is paying for it," D'Autremont said in describing the regulations. "The delivery services will have to be bonded so there will be penalties associated with the serving of minors."

Also on Wednesday, previously announced changes to the home-brewing and wine-making laws took effect.

Now, businesses that sell kits for beer and wine making can set up production areas in their stores for customers to use.

In addition to loosening Saskatchewan's liquor laws, the province also increased fines and penalties that can be applied to businesses that sell alcohol to minors.