Off-sale bidding eligibility relaxed in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON – Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) has relaxed the off-sale bidding rules for businesses like restaurants and stand-alone bars.

The new bidding process for off-sale outlets now applied to liquor-permitted establishment in the province.

Before, only hotel taverns and brew pubs were eligible to operate off-sales.

The number of off-sales per municipality will remain the same.

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“Maintaining caps on the overall number of off-sales help ensure a balance between accessibility to alcohol and the need to ensure that alcohol is sold responsibly,” said Donna Harpauer, the minister responsible for SLGA.

There are currently 17 off-sale endorsements available in Saskatchewan.

Outlets are awarded through a sealed bidding process which takes place quarterly. Available locations are posted at SaskTenders with the next deadline on Jan. 13, 2014.

This new process is one of 77 modernizing changes to Saskatchewan’s liquor laws.

Another change already in effect eliminates the requirement that off-sale outlets must be directly adjoined to hotels and motels, as long its part of the same establishment/property.