SmartServe Glossary

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The provincial regulatory body that issues liquor licences, enforces liquor laws, and approves responsible-service training programs such as Smart Serve.

Practice Ontario Liquor Laws questions

Blood Alcohol Concentration. A measurement of the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream expressed as a percentage. The Criminal Code limit for driving is 0.08% BAC, and Ontario suspends licences from 0.05% (the warn range). Impairment begins at 0.02-0.03% BAC.

Practice Standard Drinks questions

The simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol. Cannabis amplifies the effects of alcohol and vice versa. Licensed premises generally prohibit cannabis consumption on-site.

Practice Cannabis & Drug Awareness questions

A study mnemonic for refusing service, used on this site: C = Calm (stay calm), A = Acknowledge (the patron's feelings), R = Redirect (offer water, food or a ride), E = Explain (refer to the law or house policy). It is not an official legal term, and other courses expand the letters differently.

Practice Refusal Techniques questions

Taking all reasonable steps to prevent an offence. In alcohol service, this means proper ID checking, monitoring consumption, refusing intoxicated patrons, and documenting incidents.

Practice Liability & Consequences questions

Ontario's tiered driver licensing system. G1 and G2 drivers have a zero BAC requirement when driving. Full G licence holders are subject to the 0.05% warn range and the 0.08% Criminal Code limit, and drivers aged 21 or under must also have zero alcohol in their system.

Practice Standard Drinks questions

Legal hours during which alcohol may be sold/served in Ontario: generally 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM (3:00 AM on New Year's Eve). All orders must be served before 2:00 AM and all signs of liquor must be cleared by 2:45 AM.

Practice Ontario Liquor Laws questions

A written record of any alcohol-related incident including refusals of service, ID seizures, fights, injuries, or police involvement. Must include date, time, persons involved, and actions taken.

Practice Workplace Safety & Emergency questions

Observable indicators that a person is becoming impaired: slurred speech, loss of coordination, bloodshot eyes, aggressive behaviour, loud/boisterous conduct, swaying, and poor judgment.

Practice Signs of Intoxication questions

Specific requirements attached to a liquor licence by AGCO, including hours of operation, capacity limits, entertainment restrictions, and service requirements.

Practice Ontario Liquor Laws questions

Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019. The primary Ontario legislation governing the sale, service, and consumption of alcohol. Replaced the Liquor Licence Act.

Practice Ontario Liquor Laws questions

Persons under 19 years of age (Ontario's legal drinking age). It is an offence to sell, serve, or supply alcohol to a minor. Under section 69 of the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, an individual convicted of selling or supplying alcohol to a minor faces a fine of $200 to $200,000 ($1,000 minimum for a licensee) or up to one year in jail; corporations face fines up to $500,000, and a licence must be suspended for at least seven days. The AGCO can also impose monetary penalties on licensees under its Schedule of Monetary Penalties.

Practice ID Verification questions

Allowing or encouraging a patron to consume alcohol to the point of intoxication. Servers and establishments can face fines, licence suspension, or criminal charges for permitting overconsumption.

Practice Service Guidelines questions

The responsibility to help intoxicated patrons get home safely. Options include calling a taxi/rideshare, contacting a sober friend/family member, or calling a safe ride program.

Practice Service Guidelines questions

Standard Operating Procedure. Written guidelines that staff must follow for responsible alcohol service, including checking IDs, monitoring consumption, and handling incidents. On AGCO forms, SOP usually means Special Occasion Permit, the permit needed to sell or serve alcohol at an event outside a licensed premises.

Practice Service Guidelines questions

A serving of alcohol containing approximately 17.05 mL (0.6 oz) of pure ethanol. In Canada: 341 mL (12 oz) beer at 5%, 142 mL (5 oz) wine at 12%, or 43 mL (1.5 oz) spirits at 40%.

Practice Standard Drinks questions

Legal responsibility of an alcohol server or establishment for damages caused by an intoxicated patron after leaving the premises. Established by the landmark Jordan House v. Menow case.

Practice Liability & Consequences questions

Acceptable identification for age verification in Ontario: Ontario driver's licence with photo, Ontario Photo Card, Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship card with photo, LCBO BYID card, Permanent Resident card, Canadian Armed Forces ID, or Secure Indian Status Card. The ID must be current and show a photo and date of birth; photocopies and photos of ID are not acceptable.

Practice ID Verification questions