The Minister responsible for the PEI Liquor Control Commission, Hon. Robert Henderson announced today two changes associated with the Liquor Control Act.
“The personal limits for bringing liquor into Prince Edward Island from another Canadian jurisdiction have been increased,” said Minister Henderson. “An individual can now take up to three litres of spirits, nine litres of wine, or 24.6 litres of beer.” The previous limits were 1.14 litres of spirits, two litres of wine or twenty-four 341-millilitre bottles of beer. The Minister further stated, “This increase approved by government places our personal import limits in line with other provinces and territories.” The new limits are also now on par with the volume that an individual can take into Canada after paying a nominal amount of federal duty.
The Liquor Control Commission continues to offer a special order service for Island residents to obtain liquor products not carried by the Commission. There is no limit on an individual’s special orders, provided they are for their own personal use and consumption.
“Regarding the privately run liquor agency stores, PEI had the most restrictive days of allowed operation in Atlantic Canada,” indicated Minister Henderson, “and this included not allowing these stores to be open on any statutory holiday. With the changes put in place, these private stores can if they so choose be open to sell liquor every day except all day Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day and not before 12 noon on Remembrance Day ”
There are seven private agency stores of which Eldon, East Royalty, Morell, Murray Harbour and Kinkora are year-round operations, and Cavendish and Wood Islands are seasonal. The days of the year that these stores may open is now identical to Nova Scotia. PEILCC corporate stores are not affected by this change and will continue to remain closed on statutory holidays.