NSLC Mandate

The NSLC is governed by the Liquor Control Act (LCA) of Nova Scotia. This Act mandates the responsibilities of the NSLC to our shareholder, the people of Nova Scotia. The most fundamental element of our role derived from the LCA is that the NSLC is solely responsible for the receipt, distribution and control of all beverage alcohol available throughout Nova Scotia. In order to ensure the safe and responsible sale of alcohol, any products sold through NSLC stores, Agency Stores, Private Wine and Specialty Stores (PWSS), Licensees, and private importations must be received through the NSLC. Through this mandate, the government ensures that the product is sold only to Nova Scotians of legal drinking age. The legislation also describes four other key responsibilities of the corporation, specifically:

1. Attainment of acceptable levels of customer service

2. Promotion of social objectives regarding responsible drinking

3. Promotion of economic objectives regarding the beverage alcohol industry in Nova Scotia

4. Attainment of suitable financial revenue for the Government of Nova Scotia

The NSLC strives to balance its legislated mandate among the control aspects of product sales, providing the necessary financial returns to our shareholder and ensuring a high level of service to Nova Scotians. The NSLC exists, from a public policy perspective, to limit the harmful impacts of irresponsible behaviour relating to the misuse of beverage alcohol, not only through pricing policies, but through the control of access to the product. It is important to note the licensing and regulation of all bars, restaurants, pubs, lounges etc. is the responsibility of the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority.

In the retail environment, the NSLC is focused on ensuring the product is sold only to those of legal drinking age and on delivering in-store messaging about the need for safe and intelligent consumption. The NSLC also has in place minimum pricing for all products to ensure that excessive discounted

pricing is not used to induce harmful consumption.

Externally, in fulfilling the legislated mandate, the NSLC focuses on

advocacy by raising awareness of the impact of irresponsible behaviour regarding alcohol consumption. The NSLC approach in this regard includes numerous creative and innovative campaigns and powerful partnerships with other businesses and community groups.

The NSLC is mandated to provide the government with strategic public policy advice on the regulatory aspect of the Liquor Control Act (LCA) and the economic development of Nova Scotia beverage alcohol industry, providing opportunities for the Nova Scotia beverage alcohol producers to optimize the retail of their products.