History of Liquor Regulation

1956

A new liquor vending system is established. When The Liquor Control Act comes into effect, Manitobans no longer need to apply for a permit to buy alcohol. Instead, they visit a government liquor store and complete an order form. They list their name, address, and the type and quantity of liquor purchased so all sales can be tracked. They then present the form to a clerk, who retrieves the order from a back room.

Allowable hours for selling liquor are extended. Selling and serving hours are extended several more times over the next 55 years.

Sunday serving is permitted for the first time. Golf and curling clubs are the first to be able to serve liquor on Sundays. This change marks the start of several amendments related to Sunday hours.

Beer parlours are now required to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages. They must also close during the supper hour.

Liquor still can’t be advertised. Ads for tobacco abound, but beer, wine and liquor can’t be promoted to the public.