Making Liquor Marts Safe and Welcoming Again
In 2019, a dramatic increase in brazen thefts and robberies in many Liquor Mart locations reached a breaking point, causing major safety concerns for customers and employees, becoming a significant burden on police services, and costing Manitobans.
Controlled entrances were introduced the following year, resulting in a major reduction in thefts and robberies.
We pride ourselves on unmatched customer service and a welcoming shopping experience. While controlled entrances introduce the inconvenience of showing identification before entering, the results are clear. Manitobans once again enjoy a safe environment in which to shop and work.
We look forward to welcoming you at your local Liquor Mart where you can expect the same great customer service you have always known.
What is a Controlled Entrance?
After entering the first set of doors at a Liquor Mart, customers must provide valid photo identification to our staff before being admitted through the second set of sealed doors.
- We’ll ask you to remove sunglasses or anything else that may be covering your face and making it difficult to confirm you match the person pictured on the ID.
- Not all forms of ID are accepted, and our staff cannot make exceptions, sorry. Be sure to check the list of acceptable ID below.
- We scan ID and keep the customer’s photo, name and birthdate secured on file for 21 days. This information is only accessed if there is an incident requiring investigation, and is not sold or used for marketing purposes.
- Your ID may be flagged and you may be denied entry if you have been involved in an incident at one of our locations (including but not limited to violence, assault, destruction of property, fraud, theft, robbery), or if the ID you present has been reported as lost or stolen.
- Customers may bring minors 11 and under in their care into the store. Minors do not require ID. They cannot touch or handle products while in the store.
At those stores with a controlled entrance, the inner doors to the Liquor Mart are locked. Before being allowed entry, customers must provide valid photo identification to the security guard on duty. The ID is scanned, and information is retained for 21 days. Customers may bring minors 11 and under in their care into the store. Minors do not require ID.
The same forms of ID that are already accepted for proof of age are accepted for entry at the security station. These include:
Driver’s Licence issued in Manitoba or another jurisdiction
Enhanced Driver’s Licence issued in Manitoba or another jurisdiction
Manitoba Identification Card
Manitoba Enhanced Identification Card
Secure Certificate of Indian Status
Passport
Alternatively, two forms of government-issued identification may be shown, one of which must be photo ID. Examples include:
Certificate of Indian Status
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
Permanent Resident Card
Canadian Firearms Licence
Canadian Forces Identification Card (National Defence)
Nexus Card
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has continued to ensure full compliance with all privacy related legislation and has worked closely with the Manitoba Ombudsman’s office since the outset of the controlled entrance program. This has included the submission and review of a Privacy Impact Assessment.
If an incident occurs at a Liquor Mart, information may only be retrieved by designated members of our Corporate Security team.
If you still have questions or concerns about what forms of identification are accepted at controlled entrances, please send us a message.