Nova Scotia has introduced new mandatory training requirements for all bar staff serving alcohol in the province’s 2,400 licensed establishments, aiming to enhance safety and responsible alcohol service.
Starting Dec. 1, 2024, all servers at licensed bars, restaurants, and certain events will be required to complete a responsible alcohol service course. This move is expected to create a safer environment in these establishments by equipping staff with the knowledge to serve alcohol responsibly.
“Ensuring that the staff who work at our licensed establishments are trained in responsible alcohol service will help improve safety,” said Service Nova Scotia Minister Colton LeBlanc.
The new training requirement extends to events such as concerts and festivals, which may also require their servers to be trained, depending on the event size and associated risks.
This initiative follows a previous announcement from May 2023, which mandated that all cabaret security staff undergo security training and provide a criminal record check upon request.
According to Service Nova Scotia, the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division is responsible for enforcing the Liquor Control Act and Liquor Licensing Regulations to ensure the safe consumption of alcohol. The division grants about 4,000 special occasion licences each year. Additionally, the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act regulates contract security businesses and their employees, with an exemption for in-house security staff from licensing requirements.