In an attempt to reduce drunk driving and increase liquor server awareness, the Saskatchewan government is phasing in mandatory server intervention training over the next three years.
By June of next year, all owners and managers will be required to finish the training and all new hires will have to complete it within 30 days. By June 2017, there will have to be at least one person who’s completed the training working at all times. During the subsequent year, all employees will have to undergo the training.
“Server intervention training has existed for a number of years on a voluntary basis,” said David Morris, spokesman for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. “Basically, the training gives servers in licensed establishments the skills and tools to properly carry out their responsibilities associated with the sale and service of beverage alcohol.”
As usual, these responsibilities will entail prohibiting serving alcohol to minors, providing transportation for intoxicated individuals, and discontinuing serving alcohol to inebriated individuals.
The changes come as a result of recommendations made by the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee on Traffic Safety in 2013. According to a provincial news release, “Serve it Right Saskatchewan (SIRS) is a course designed to help curb underage drinking, reduce over-consumption, impaired driving and the risk of violence in and around liquor permitted premises.”
“The committee thought that mandatory training was an effective tool that could help bars keep patrons safe and reduce the potential that someone will be over-served, leave the establishment and drive away intoxicated,” said Morris. “This is just another tool that can hopefully reduce those situations.”
Despite this training only becoming mandatory now, all licensed establishment selling alcohol already carry the same legal responsibility for their patrons. To some degree, servers should already be aware of how far their responsibility extends when providing alcoholic service and safe transportation home.
“Their responsibilities are the same now, but it’s now a mandatory program that they’re phasing in,” said Russell Wittke, one of the owners of the local Pioneer Hotel & Motel, including its bar. “The legal responsibilities will still be there, but the staff will have better knowledge.”
The Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council, which is part of Tourism Saskatchewan, will deliver the training. It can be done independently online or as part of a group seminar and costs between $30-$50, depending on the method chosen. Certification will be valid for five years, after which it will have to be renewed.
“The program teaches you what to look for, how to intervene in situations, how to prevent someone from being over served, etc.” said Morris. “It doesn’t change the expectations or number of rules associated with the permit.”
If the licensed establishments don’t comply with these new changes, they run the risk of being sanctioned. However, Morris doesn’t expect that will happen since they already have rules they must follow by having a liquor permit. The Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association (SHHA) is also in support of the changes.
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