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| IS this ID Proof of Age? |
Here's the answer: Let's look at the legistlation
Section 74 of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Act stipulates the following guidelines:
Minors on licensed premises
74(1) If a person who appears to be a minor requests to purchase
or be given liquor from a liquor licensee, the licensee or other
person to whom the request is made must, before granting the
request, demand that the person who appears to be a minor provide
proof of age.
(2) No minor may enter or be in any licensed premises if the
licence prohibits minors from entering into or being in the licensed
premises.
(3) No liquor licensee may permit a minor to enter or be in any
licensed premises if the licence prohibits minors from entering into
or being in the licensed premises.
(4) If a person who appears to be a minor enters licensed premises
that a minor is not entitled to enter or be in, the liquor licensee must
demand that the person who appears to be a minor produce proof of
age.
(5) If a person makes a request for identification under subsection
(1) or (4) and the person who appears to be a minor fails to produce
identification that is satisfactory to the person making the request,
the liquor licensee must
(a) not serve liquor to that person, and
(b) refuse the person entry or ask the person to leave if the
licence prohibits a minor from entering and being in those
licensed premises.
Now before we start arguing the point that section 5 states "Satisfactory to the person making the request" let's clarify that we are discussing a provincial law and so the definition of satisfactory in this case would be sufficient as prescribed by law and not sufficient to appeasement of the person requesting the ID or the Bar owner.
So to finish the above question: Are other forms of ID such as Health care, birth certificate or other ID's containing a birthdate and issued by the Government sufficient in lieu of photo ID? The answer is YES: They are acceptable and valid Government issued proof of Age, and as shown above the legislation permits that if sufficient proof of age is produced then a person who produces it is permitted to stay and enjoy the benefits of a licensed facility.
No part of the act or the regulations of the act state specified forms of valid ID. So when the bar owner says you can't be here cause you don't have photo ID. you can tell him that you have provided undoubted proof of age and you are permitted under the act to be served...If you are going to test this one out then I highly recommend you produced a second form of non photo ID to correspond with the first this then creates no doubt at all to ones credibility that you are the person you say you are and that the ID photo or not is valid and produces the required proof of age at any licensed establishment in Alberta.
All having two pieces of non-photo ID proves is that SOMEONE is of a certain age. It does not establish that the holder is of that age. If I so chose, I could steal my grandfathers birth certificate and health card to demonstrate that I am nearly 90 years old (it would not take a rocket scientist to acquire two pieces of someone elses non-photo ID). It does not prove that I am 90 years old - it only demonstrates that SOMEONE is 90 years old. In order to prove beyond reasonable doubt that I a certain age, I will need a piece of government issued photo ID (as being government issued decreases the likelyhood of it being a forgery, with a few exceptions) to demonstrate that I am indeed the person the previous two pieces of non-photo ID refer to. So, in terms of providing proof of age, while Photo ID is not specified, I believe it is but one tiny step to move beyond the letter of this law to an interpretation which says that photo ID is required.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I do understand that some confusion could arise given that there are circumstances (such as filing for a new health card or sending off for a credit report) in which non-photo ID can be used to validate your identity.
The establishment is a privately run business. as are all bars in Canada. Legally yes, those are valid IDs (without the photo) but the establishment makes the rules as to what they consider "Satisfactory to the person making the request". Demanding to be served otherwise will just get you thrown out rudely as opposed to walking out on your own
ReplyDeleteIt proves SOMEONE is of age. Not that YOU are proof of age.
ReplyDeleteIts wording is proof of age, but proof of identity is intrinsically rooted to the proof of age. It would get your ass kicked in any legal setting if you tried to pull that on anyone. I even think a judge would simply laugh you out of the court
It proves SOMEONE is of age. Not that YOU are proof of age.
ReplyDeleteIts wording is proof of age, but proof of identity is intrinsically rooted to the proof of age. It would get your ass kicked in any legal setting if you tried to pull that on anyone. I even think a judge would simply laugh you out of the court
This is anything but true. I am certified to serve liquor in Alberta, (completed AGLC ProServe certificate in April of 2015) and in the program it is very clearly stated which forms of identification are and are not acceptable. Photo identification provided by provincial or federal government is the only legal form of acceptable ID as per the establishment's liquor license. The only time non-photo ID is acceptable (or required) is when the server has reason to doubt the validity of the presented photo ID, and requests another piece of ID AS WELL AS the photo ID in order to confirm age. Some establishments will accept non photo ID if you are waiting for your photo ID in the mail and have proof that it is being issued. However, under no circumstances is the establishment legally obligated to serve you. They ultimately retain the right to refuse service if they have any doubts whether you are of age.
ReplyDelete