WHEREAS the Alberta Server Intervention Program is a mandatory training program under Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission Policy; AND WHEREAS under this policy all staff and/or volunteers involved in the sale and service of liquor in a licensed premises are required to complete this training program, including non-profit volunteer based community associations; AND WHEREAS non-profit community associations have limited resources to meet this requirement and most of their functions that involve the sale and service of liquor are limited to community members;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties ask the Government of Alberta to exempt non-profit community associations from the Alberta Server Intervention Program; AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties ask the Government of Alberta if the government is unwilling to exempt non-profit community associations from the Alberta Server Intervention Program, that the program timeline requirements be set back at least 1 year to allow community associations to budget the time and money required to take the mandatory training.

ASIP (Alberta Server Intervention Program) was launched in November 2004 and is the new industry-led program that replaces a number of separate association training programs. This training is mandatory under Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission policy. ASIP was developed as a training tool to help curb the problems of underage drinking, over-consumption of alcohol and impaired driving, and to reduce the risk of violence. Training topics include: legal responsibilities and liabilities, identifying intoxication, handling situations involving minors, and discontinuing or refusing service or sale of alcohol. Under this new Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission policy, Class A, B, C, D, E, Duty Free and Special Event (Public Resale) licenses will be required to have servers with the mandatory training. The mandatory program is being phased in between now and 2010. On June 30, 2006 one person per premise must have the mandatory training. On January 1, 2007 one person per shift per licensed room will require mandatory training, and on January 1, 2010 all people serving or selling liquor will require mandatory ASIP training. The goals of the ASIP are valuable and worthwhile, however many volunteer based groups will struggle with meeting the requirements of mandatory certifications and courses because of limited human resources and funds. The ASIP has placed unreasonable expectations and requirements on non profit community associations. Not only was the ASIP communications strategy extremely poor, with many community associations and volunteer organizations not being aware of the policy until April of 2006, but access to the mandatory training workshops is not readily available to those many volunteers living in rural communities. This program has created many concerns for community associations, and it will affect the operation of their facilities, volunteer commitments as well as community based activities and special events. Volunteer based community organizations are integral to ensuring strong, healthy and viable rural communities. These organizations also ensure that rural municipalities can maintain and enhance a strong quality of life for residents. The effects of this and any other onerous mandatory requirements on volunteers is another burden that limits the ability and willingness of volunteers to make contributions to their communities.

Resolution 6-05S regarding the Alberta Server Intervention Training Program urges the provincial government to reconsider these rules for small non-profit organizations, and/or provide on-site training or provincial funding so individual volunteers are not out of pocket in trying to comply. The provincial government has indicated that the requirements under the Alberta Server Intervention Training Program are being phased in over five years. This policy does not affect individuals serving liquor under the authority of private special event licenses or Class C residential institutions (hospitals and long-term facilities, community halls under certain circumstances).

The provincial government has indicated that the Alberta Server Intervention Program (ASIP) to exclude individuals operating under either a Class C or a Community Public Resale Special Event license from mandatory training requirements. Individuals who work or volunteer under these types of licenses are strongly encouraged to complete ASIP training on a voluntary basis at, no cost.