How we promote safe selling practices

Learn about how we promote safe selling practices for customers and store team members.


CHECK 30


Delivering a superior customer service experience is a priority at ANBL, and that includes only selling our products to customers who are legally fit to purchase.

Our CHECK 30 program specifies that customers who appear to be under the age of 30 will be asked for valid photo identification*.

In the past year, ANBL served over eight million customers and over 10% of those customers were asked for ID. Service was refused to over 12,000 customers who did not have ID.


Store Team Training


At ANBL, our team members are highly trained not only in product knowledge and customer service, but also in corporate social responsibility policies, how to identify customers who may not be legally fit to purchase, how identify appropriate ID and how to refuse a sale. This training is mandatory for all employees and is refreshed as needed.

What about gift cards and non-alcohol products? Do you still have to be 19+ to purchase those?

It is ANBL policy that we will not sell any products in our stores to customers under the age of 19, and that includes non-alcohol products (0% alcohol products, gift cards, bags, etc.). We feel there is no need for unaccompanied minors to be in ANBL stores.


*Acceptable pieces of primary identification


The following items must be valid (not expired) at the time of ID check:

  • Provincial photo driver’s license
  • Firearms license
  • Passport
  • Armed Forces card
  • Government photo ID
  • Landed Immigrant photo ID
  • Certificate of Indian Status

Acceptable pieces of secondary identification


Sometimes, secondary pieces of identification may be required. These must include the name, be government issued, and include the date of birth.

  • Post-secondary photo ID
  • Medicare card
  • Birth certificate

When checking your ID


The team member will check to make sure your face matches the photo.

They will watch for peeling, bubbling, scratches, and uneven edges. If they suspect that an ID is fake, they will ask for a secondary piece of ID – see above for acceptable forms of secondary ID).

The only digital ID considered acceptable is a copy of a temporary license provided while waiting for a new driver’s license. The expired ID must also be physically provided OR a secondary valid piece of ID with your name and date of birth must be shown.

For International IDs, English wording can be found on a separate page of the passport.


If there is any doubt about the validity of your identification, the store team member has the right to refuse the sale.

It’s not personal, it’s the law.