This session reviewed Ontario’s alcohol service regulations, focusing on Smart Serve certification requirements, identification checks, signs of intoxication, and legal responsibilities for servers.
Key compliance-related questions and answers were discussed, providing clarification on best practices and legal standards.
The benefits of the Smart Serve program and its impact on both legal liability and workplace safety were highlighted.
The conversation included a sample exam to reinforce understanding of responsible alcohol service.
Action Items
No outstanding action items noted in this session.
Ontario Alcohol Service Regulations & Smart Serve Overview
The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19.
Servers must check ID when a person appears 25 or under.
Acceptable IDs for proof of age include: Ontario driver's license, Canadian passport, and Canadian armed forces card; Student ID cards are not acceptable.
A standard drink contains approximately the same amount of alcohol: 1.5 oz spirits (40%), 5 oz wine (12%), or 12 oz beer (5%).
The body's ability to break down alcohol is called metabolism.
Signs of intoxication include slow reaction time; balanced posture, clear speech, and normal eye contact are not signs.
When a guest is intoxicated, first step: stop service and assess the situation.
Smart Serve is designed to reduce alcohol-related harm, not to promote sales or restaurant profits.
BAC stands for Blood Alcohol Concentration.
The average adult can safely metabolize about one drink per hour.
Licensed establishments can be held liable if they serve alcohol to an intoxicated guest.
If an intoxicated guest insists on driving, offer alternative transportation options.
BAC can be affected by gender, body weight, and time; all of the above.
Servers can refuse service to a customer if they are intoxicated.
The server's legal responsibility: monitor guests and stop service if intoxicated.
In Canada, a standard drink of beer is 12 oz at 5% alcohol.
Duty of care means taking reasonable steps to prevent harm when serving alcohol.
Typically, it takes about 1 hour to eliminate one standard drink from the body.
If a guest becomes violent or aggressive, inform security or call police.
If a minor is suspected of using a fake ID, refuse service and notify management.
A designated driver should remain completely sober and drive others.
Signs someone may be pretending to be sober include excessive energy or loudness.
Maximum penalty for serving a minor in Ontario: criminal charges and liquor license suspension.
To slow down alcohol consumption at an event, offer food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Everyone working in a licensed establishment is responsible for preventing alcohol-related incidents.
Smart Serve Test Benefits
Ensures legal compliance for those serving or handling alcohol in Ontario.
Promotes responsible alcohol service by educating workers on intoxication signs and intervention.
Reduces liability for establishments and employees through adherence to legal procedures.
Improves workplace safety by equipping staff to manage risks.
Enhances career opportunities, as certification is a prerequisite for many jobs in hospitality.
Decisions
Reviewed and agreed on Smart Serve best practices and compliance elements — To ensure all servers understand legal obligations and safe service protocols.
Open Questions / Follow-Ups
None noted; all sample questions were addressed and clarified during the session.