The head of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association says he was surprised at the immediacy of new rules allowing people to bring their own wine to restaurants.
Speaking on CKNW's The World Today Weekend, Ian Tostenson says he had assumed the change wouldn't be implemented for some time, so that’s why some eateries may appear to be scrambling a bit to catch up to the new laws.
"When I turned to (Minister in charge) Rich Coleman and said 'So, by the way, when is this in effect?' thinking maybe August 1, he said, 'Oh, today!'"
Tostenson says he expects most restaurants to have their corkage fees set by the end of this week.
He adds the new rules are voluntary and don't apply in pubs and bars.