Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Encyclopedia
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a quasi-judicial
Crown agency which regulates the alcohol and gaming industries of Ontario
. The agency reports to the Ministry of Government Services
.
Responsibilities of the AGCO include the administration of:
and the Gaming Control Commission Ontario
.
As a result of the establishment of the AGCO, the Government of Ontario passed complementary legislation to extinguish the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario and the Gaming Control Commission.
criticising the AGCO. Ivison noted that AGCO hearings, unlike criminal courts, do not require the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Rather, the burden of proof is much lower – on the balance of probability. He also wrote that the standards of evidence are also different – in particular, hearsay, which is prohibited in criminal courts, is permitted at AGCO hearings. Ivison also criticized the fact that he was not allowed to listen to the AGCO inspector's testimony.
When giving testimony at a hearing, Ivison claimed that the prosecuting lawyer asked him whether or not conversations he had (at a bar that was accused of violating AGCO regulations) were of "a sexual nature." When Ivison asked how this was relevant, the prosecutor responded "Your job here is to answer the questions. I will do the asking." Ivison sharply criticized the fact that "not only was a public servant sitting in the shadows studying us, he was also eavesdropping on our conversation, so that he could include its contents in a report that could become a public document once the board members pronounce on whether D'Arcy's was in breach of its licence."
Ivison concluded by writing that AGCO inspectors "are running amok" and noted that the number of licence suspensions has increased more than 60% since 2000.
Quasi-judicial body
A quasi-judicial body is an individual or organization which has powers resembling those of a court of law or judge and is able to remedy a situation or impose legal penalties on a person or organization.-Powers:...
Crown agency which regulates the alcohol and gaming industries of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The agency reports to the Ministry of Government Services
Ministry of Government Services (Ontario)
The Ministry of Government Services is responsible for the delivery and management of government operations. Its goal is to provide cost-effective services to all residents and businesses and to the Ontario Public Service. It replaced the former Management Board Secretariat and the former Ministry...
.
Responsibilities of the AGCO include the administration of:
- Liquor Licence Act
- Gaming Control Act, 1992
- Wine Content and Labelling Act, 2000
- Liquor Control Act (Section 3(1)b, e, f, g and 3(2)a)
- Charity Lottery Licensing Order-in-Council 2688/93
History
The AGCO was established February 23, 1998 by the Government of Ontario under the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act of 1996. This Act transferred responsibility for the Liquor Licence Act and the Gaming Control Act to AGCO. It was a result of the amalgamation of the Liquor License Board of OntarioLiquor Licensing Board of Ontario
Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario was the regulatory agency responsible for issuing liquor permits and regulating the sale, service and consumption of beverage alcohol in Ontario to promote moderation and responsible use to establishment in Ontario.-History:...
and the Gaming Control Commission Ontario
Gaming Control Commission Ontario
The Gaming Control Commission of Ontario was an agency responsible for gaming in Ontario. In 1996, it was replaced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario with the passage of the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act ....
.
As a result of the establishment of the AGCO, the Government of Ontario passed complementary legislation to extinguish the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario and the Gaming Control Commission.
Mandate
The mandate of the AGCO is to:- regulate the sale, service, and consumption of beverage alcohol;
- ensure that casino and charitable gaming is conducted in a manner that is socially responsible, and in the public interest.
Criticism and Controversy
In January 2009, John Ivison wrote an article in the National PostNational Post
The National Post is a Canadian English-language national newspaper based in Don Mills, a district of Toronto. The paper is owned by Postmedia Network Inc. and is published Mondays through Saturdays...
criticising the AGCO. Ivison noted that AGCO hearings, unlike criminal courts, do not require the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Rather, the burden of proof is much lower – on the balance of probability. He also wrote that the standards of evidence are also different – in particular, hearsay, which is prohibited in criminal courts, is permitted at AGCO hearings. Ivison also criticized the fact that he was not allowed to listen to the AGCO inspector's testimony.
When giving testimony at a hearing, Ivison claimed that the prosecuting lawyer asked him whether or not conversations he had (at a bar that was accused of violating AGCO regulations) were of "a sexual nature." When Ivison asked how this was relevant, the prosecutor responded "Your job here is to answer the questions. I will do the asking." Ivison sharply criticized the fact that "not only was a public servant sitting in the shadows studying us, he was also eavesdropping on our conversation, so that he could include its contents in a report that could become a public document once the board members pronounce on whether D'Arcy's was in breach of its licence."
Ivison concluded by writing that AGCO inspectors "are running amok" and noted that the number of licence suspensions has increased more than 60% since 2000.