Changes at NLLC will Support Local Business

Tom Osborne, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC), along with Bruce Keating, CEO of the NLC, announced a number of initiatives that will support businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic and set the stage for future economic recovery.

In support of licensees, which include lounges, bars and restaurants, effective immediately the NLC will waive liquor license fees for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Also, the NLC will work with the licensee community to return general list product in an effort to help with working capital. The NLC is also temporarily waiving warehousing service fees for microbrewers with annual production of 1,000 hectoliters or less for those who use the NLC’s distribution network.

To further assist the province’s beverage industry, the NLC has been approved to implement a wholesale pricing discount for licensees, by providing a five percent discount for wines and spirits, and ready to drink beverages.

Additionally, the government has approved an increase in product commission discounts for craft breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries producing 1,000 hectoliters or less to 55 percent for non-NLC distributed products.

Government has also approved a temporary regulatory change to permit ferment-on premise operations (U-Brew) to bottle beverages for their customers that started batches of wine or beer prior to the COVID-19 health restrictions.