Board Hearing Process

To begin the hearing process, an applicant must have received notice of a denial of application, a licence condition imposed, good seized or fine, warning, fine suspension and/or cancellation from AGLC.

To begin the hearing process, you must submit the Application for Hearing form or a detailed letter/email describing the issue and the reasons for the request to the Hearing Panel Office within 30 days of receiving a decision from AGLC.

The board must then hold a hearing within 120 days of receiving an application.

The Hearing Panel Office will contact you to schedule a hearing date that works for all parties.

A copy of the record of the original decision will be sent to both parties and the Hearing Panel Office collects additional documents from all parties if applicable.

Applicants can choose from video conference, in-person or written hearings.

In-Person

Both parties attend the hearing at the AGLC St. Albert or Calgary Office on the hearing date. Each party has an opportunity to present their evidence (including any witnesses) orally. Witnesses are only permitted in the hearing when it is their turn to present information. At the conclusion of the hearing, the panel deliberates privately to make a decision.

Video Conference

A video conference hearing proceeds similarly to an in-person hearing. Both parties are provided with a link to join a video conference. Each party has an opportunity to present their evidence (including any witnesses) orally. Witnesses are only permitted in the hearing when it is their turn to provide information. At the conclusion of the video conference, the panel deliberates privately to make a decision.

Written Submissions

A hearing by way of written submission involves both parties presenting their evidence and arguments in writing. Witness evidence is presented using written statements signed by the witnesses. It is each party’s responsibility to prepare their own written evidence and argument and submit it to the Hearing Panel Office. The written evidence/arguments of both parties are then provided to the hearing panel to review and consider. The members of the hearing panel deliberate privately to make a decision (typically within a week of receiving the final written evidence/arguments). 

A hearing by way of written submissions is only held in exceptional circumstances. An applicant wishing to request this type of hearing must set out the reason(s) for their request under Section VI – Additional Information of the Application for Hearing (Form 301). The Hearing Panel will consider the reasons provided by the Applicant and decide whether it is appropriate to proceed with a hearing by way of written submissions.

A hearing panel must consider all the relevant evidence provided by both parties and the hearing must be conducted in private, unless the hearing panel directs otherwise.

The hearing will proceed in the following order:

1. AGLC staff will introduce evidence, including witnesses and documents.
2. The applicant may ask questions of any witnesses called.
3. The panel may ask questions of the AGLC witnesses.
4. The applicant will introduce evidence.
5. AGLC staff may ask questions of any witnesses called.
6. The panel may ask questions of the applicant’s witnesses.
7. When all the evidence is presented, each party may tell the hearing panel what decision they think the panel should make and the reasons why.
8. The hearing is concluded.

The hearing panel will consider the information presented by both participants and make a decision on the matter. The panel may confirm the original decision, replace the decision, cancel the original decision or confirm or reject the seizure of goods. All decisions will be provided in writing to both hearing participants approximately four weeks after the hearing.

Hearing panel decisions are also posted to the AGLC website.