Fort St. John liquor store fined $7K for underage sale

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Fort St. John liquor store was fined $7,000 after one of its employees sold beer to an undercover minor.

The February 11th decision by Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) delegate John Rogers said 0936068 BC Ltd., doing business as the On the Rocks Liquor Store, admitted to the contravention, but asked to be fined less than $7,000 rather than be suspended for seven to 11 days. It could have been fined as much as $11,000.

On August 8th, 2025 at 2:05 p.m., the undercover minor went to the store to buy a six-pack of Corona beer. The clerk asked for identification, but the minor “stated that they did not have it on them.”

“The employee then stated ‘no problem’ and proceeded to complete the sale,” according to the Rogers decision.

The minor paid $25 and received $3.30 in change.

Rogers called the transaction the “most disturbing element” of evidence before him.

“In other words, this was not a case of the employee being distracted and failing to ask for identification,” the decision said. “She did ask for identification and yet still completed the sale when it was not produced.”

A liquor inspector entered the store at 2:14 p.m. and advised the employee of the contravention. The clerk provided the name of her manager.

In January 2026, the LCRB confirmed to Energeticcity.ca it had undertaken “enforcement activities” on liquor licensees in Fort St. John, but would not be drawn on the details at that time. 

Rogers said the licensee has implemented remedial measures and intends to achieve strict compliance, but the regulation does not allow a fine less than $7,000.

The store is licensed to sell liquor from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with minors permitted if accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult acting in place of a parent.

Read the full LCRB decision below: