Special Occasion Liquor Permit Fees Decreased

Released on April 26, 1996

Clay Serby, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming
Authority, today announced that fees for special occasion liquor
permits will be substantially decreased, effective April 29.

Fees have been decreased by 50 per cent for special occasion liquor
sale permits and community event liquor permits, and by 40 per cent for
cost recovery permits. These three permits are purchased by families,
community groups, and community organizations when holding one-time
events where liquor will be served.

"I am pleased to announce this substantial reduction in fees for these
permits, which will make holding special events more affordable. Many
groups use these special events as fundraisers, and by lowering the
permit fee, their profits from these events will increase," Serby said.

"Although this initiative will result in a loss of about $300,000 each
year in government revenues from liquor permits, by reducing the fees,
we are able to assist a great number of individuals and groups in
hosting successful events."

The purchase of a permit is required whenever an individual, family or
organization wishes to hold an event where alcohol will be sold.
Special occasion liquor permits are used for events such as weddings,
reunions, dances, musical events such as concerts, revues, dinner
theatres and larger community events. More than 15,000 sale, cost
recovery and community event permits were issued in 1994/95, accounting
for a majority of special occasion permit sales for the year.

Sale permits are issued to organizations for functions where the
organization sets the price of beverage alcohol. The cost of these
permits has dropped to $25 from $50.

Cost recovery permits are issued to individuals for family functions
where beverage alcohol can only be sold at a price sufficient to
recover the purchase price of the alcohol. The cost of these permits
has dropped to $15 from $25.

Community event permits are issued to organizations hosting an event
that is open to the public and of community interest, where the
organization sets the price for beverage alcohol. The cost of these
permits has dropped to $75 from $150.

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For more information, contact:

Lisa Thomson
Manager, Public Education and Communications
Liquor and Gaming Authority
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1721