Legal updates, regulatory guidance and practical perspectives for businesses operating in complex industries.
What To Do if AGCO Gives You a Notice of Violation for Underage Sale to Someone Under 19 Years of Age What Constitutes an “Underage Sale”? In Ontario, an “underage sale” occurs when a licensed establishment or its employee sells or provides alcohol or cannabis to an individual who is not of legal age. For…
What is an AGCO Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP)? Why AGCO Issues Monetary Penalties The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) uses Orders of Monetary Penalty (OMP) as a way to encourage compliance with provincial liquor, cannabis, and gaming laws. Think of it as a financial consequence for breaking the rules. Instead of immediately…
AGCO Cannabis Licence Suspensions and Revocations What’s the Difference Between Suspension and Revocation? When the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) takes action against a cannabis licence, it can either suspend it or revoke it. It’s important to know the difference because the impact on your business is significant. A suspension means your licence is temporarily…
AGCO Licence Suspensions and Revocations If you’re running a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment in Ontario, keeping your liquor sales licence or manufacturer’s licence in good standing is standard business. But what happens if the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) decides to step in? They have the power to temporarily suspend, or…
Learn The Rules For Importing Liquor Products into Canada For Resale When foreign liquor manufacturers and their agents look to import alcoholic beverages into Canada for sale, they’ll quickly find that the landscape is quite different from many other markets. Canada’s regulatory framework for alcohol importation is highly centralized and controlled at the provincial and territorial…
About AGCO Cannabis Store Conditions Why Conditions Are Placed on Licences The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) places conditions on cannabis retail licences, such as a Retail Operator Licence or Retail Store Authorization, for a few key reasons, all centred around public safety and responsible operation. Think of these conditions as specific rules tailored to…
Conditions On Your AGCO Liquor Sales Licence What are AGCO liquor licence Conditions? Liquor licence conditions are specific rules or requirements that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) places on a liquor licence. These aren’t just suggestions; they are legally binding stipulations that licence holders must follow. Think of them as extra guidelines…
Challenging a Notice of Proposal From the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario What Constitutes a Notice of Proposal? A Notice of Proposal (NOP) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a formal communication indicating that the Registrar intends to take a specific action regarding your licence. This action could be a…
For businesses in Ontario, particularly those operating as U-Brew or U-Vint facilities, that plan to offer customers the ability to manufacture their own beer, wine, or other fermented beverages on the premises, obtaining a Ferment on Premise Licence is a critical regulatory requirement. This licence is issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario…
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Timelines depend on the licence type, how complete the application is and the regulator’s current processing times. We prepare the application and supporting documents so the review runs smoothly, and we give you a realistic timeline at the start.
It depends on the services you provide. Money services businesses register with FINTRAC, and payment service providers performing retail payment activities register with the Bank of Canada under the RPAA. Some businesses need both; we review your model and tell you which apply.
In many cases, yes. A transfer is approved by the provincial regulator and depends on the licence conditions, the premises and the buyer’s eligibility. We handle the filings and coordinate with the other side of the deal.
It depends on the product, its claims and how it is sold. Some products are regulated as drugs or natural health products by Health Canada. We review the product and the sales model and explain what is permitted.
Yes. We advise clients across Canada on federal and provincial regulatory matters, and we coordinate with local counsel where a provincial rule requires it.
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