Businesses and community groups applying for a permanent liquor licence now have the option to have the required police system check conducted by Service Nova Scotia liquor licensing staff, at no cost to the client.Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey announced today, April 21, that the office's liquor licensing staff now offer this service. A police system check, commonly referred to as a criminal record check, is required for any business or non-profit organization that applies for a liquor licence. Before now, licensees' only option was to submit a record check application to the RCMP, municipal police force or a third-party provider at a cost of $30-$50 per individual check. As staff in the business or community organization officials change, new record checks are required. For example, each key member of a community organization's board of directors must undergo a police system check for that organization to obtain a liquor licence. As members change, new record checks are required which can cost the community organizations hundreds of dollars each year."This change not only has the potential to save community groups such as legions, arenas and fire departments hundreds of dollars each year," said Mr. Furey. "It will also save them time by providing a more convenient, end-to-end, one-stop service approach. “This aligns with the mandate of Service Nova Scotia which is to provide service excellence to our clients through ongoing service enhancements."Service Nova Scotia's Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco division issues about 120 permanent liquor licences to business and community groups each year. The division expects it will conduct about 600 police system checks each year as a result of this change.Source: Release