Liquor Industry Update: February 8, 2024
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
- A Message from ABLE BC President Yvan Charette
- Owen Coomer Appointed Chair of ABLE BC's LP Policy Committee
- Industry Scholarships Available from Vinequity and VISA
- Cannabis Corner: Help Support our Advocacy Efforts
- go2HR on Tap: WorkSafeBC Updated its Planned Inspectional Initiatives
- Reminder: LDB Inventory Count February 8-11
- Celebrating 20 Years of ABLE BC!
- Out and About with ABLE BC
- Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Click here to read past Liquor Industry Updates
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A Message from ABLE BC President Yvan Charette
Sometimes being President of ABLE BC is a little bit of fun. Last week, we hosted our annual post-holiday industry reception at the Labatt Beer Institute in Vancouver. Our special guest for the evening was Deputy Premier and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, who spent three hours chatting with our liquor retail, publican, and newly welcomed cannabis retail members. I know the Minister enjoyed meeting many of you and really appreciated the thoughtful conversations and honest feedback.
While I loved chin-wagging with the Minister about government policy, for me the best part was talking one-on-one with members. Sharing stories, swapping tips, and brainstorming about how to tackle industry challenges is one of the reasons I love being President of ABLE. I was also excited to welcome so many of our new cannabis retail members, as it clearly demonstrates that our industries are much stronger when we work together.
Also last week, ABLE BC’s Board of Directors convened its first meeting of 2024. We received reports from our LRS and LP Policy Committees, reviewed progress on our current policy priorities, and discussed several issues impacting members’ profitability. We also met directly with senior executives from the BC Lotto Corporation (BCLC), the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), and the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB). I would characterize these meetings as honest and collaborative discussions about how we can work together to achieve our shared goals.
For example, in our meeting with the BCLC, we discussed the exciting spring 2024 roll out of long-overdue new lotto machines, which will drive new opportunities in sports betting. I also personally pressed the need for increased commissions to help support struggling hospitality businesses.
In our meeting with the LCRB, we followed up on questions from our fall 2023 conference, such as the impact of the Minors as Agents Program and whether government liquor and cannabis stores are held to the same inspection standards as private businesses. I’m pleased to report that government shared the Memorandums of Understanding in place between the LCRB and the LDB, which states clearly that government-run liquor and cannabis stores are held to the same standards and frequency of inspection as private stores. There is no difference in fee schedule, fines, suspensions, or inspections. I want to offer my sincere thanks to our partners at the LCRB and LDB for their transparency and cooperation in sharing these details with us.
At the end of the day, I am a small business owner like you. I know firsthand how tough it is to succeed financially right now. All indications suggest 2024 is going to be another challenging year for industry. That’s why I’m so proud of the work ABLE BC’s Board of Directors and full-time staff are doing to support you and to fight for your interests. We have a lot of work to do, and I can’t thank members enough for their ongoing trust and support.
Are there issues or concerns you want to bring to the Board’s attention? Are you interested in joining our LRS, LP, or Cannabis Policy Committees? If so, please contact our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, at jeff@ablebc.ca.
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Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter
Sign up for our cannabis newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for cannabis retailers.
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ABLE BC Advocacy
Visit our advocacy page to learn more about our policy priorities and how we work for you.
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BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health
The Canadian Mental Health Association has created a resource hub for employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges in the workplace.
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go2HR Resources
Visit the go2HR website for health & safety, HR, training, and mental health information and updates.
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Owen Coomer Appointed Chair of ABLE BC's LP Policy Committee
Please join us in congratulating ABLE BC Director Owen Coomer on his appointment to Chair of the LP Policy Committee! Owen has been an active ABLE BC member for over 20 years, and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2022. Owen is the Chief Operations Manager and part-owner of The Taphouse Taverns, and he is dedicated to help ABLE BC’s liquor primary members thrive.
The LP Policy Committee will hold regular meetings throughout 2024 to discuss progress on ABLE BC’s policy priorities and to monitor current industry issues. To raise an issue with the committee directly, please contact ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, at jeff@ablebc.ca.
The LP Policy Committee is seeking new members. Participating in ABLE BC’s policy committees is an excellent way to get more involved with our policy work, have an influence on our priorities, and support the Alliance.
If you are an ABLE LP member in good standing and are interested in joining, please contact jeff@ablebc.ca for more information.
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Industry Scholarships Available from Vinequity and VISA
Vinequity is excited to open their fourth round of scholarship applications. So far, Vinequity has awarded $70,050 in scholarships. Vinequity believes in access to high quality wine education and the support to excel in such programs are vitally important to diversifying the ranks of the wine industry, especially in leadership roles.
Click here to learn more and apply for a Vinequity scholarship.
The Vancouver Island Sommelier Association (VISA) is thrilled to announce the opportunity of a lifetime with their FIRST-EVER wine education scholarships!
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your wine journey, this is your chance to deepen your wine knowledge and advance your career.
Thanks to sponsors Vessel Liquor Store, Coastal Craft Beverages, and Victoria International Wine Festival, VISA is offering one $1500 Industry Professional Scholarship and two $600 Industry Novice Scholarships.
Click here to apply for the VISA Industry Professional Scholarship.
Click here to apply for the VISA Industry Novice Scholarship.
Applications are open now until March 11, 2024.
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Cannabis Corner: Help Support Our Advocacy Efforts
Did you know that the City of Surrey, the second most populated city in BC, is considered a cannabis desert?
That could change soon. The city is considering allowing up to 12 cannabis retail stores, marking a shift in attitude from city council. ABLE BC is focused on supporting BC’s private cannabis retailers, and we welcome Surrey’s initiative to open opportunities for cannabis retailers. We look forward to engaging with Surrey city councillors on behalf of private retailers. Make sure to sign up for the Cannabis Industry Update newsletter to stay informed.
We meet regularly with various officials at the LDB, LCRB, and with elected officials in the federal, provincial, and municipal governments. Want to get involved in our cannabis advocacy? To join our Cannabis Committee or sign up as a member, contact our Head of Cannabis Membership Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca.
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go2HR on Tap: WorkSafe BC Updated its Planned Inspectional Initiatives
go2HR is a regular contributor to the ABLE BC Liquor Industry Update newsletter, providing tips and guidance on current HR trends, new legislation, employee recruitment and retention, and more. To read the latest instalment, sign in to the member portal or sign up for the newsletter.
Our partners at go2HR have shared some news regarding WorkSafeBC’s planned inspectional initiatives for 2024. These initiatives are intended to promote the effective management of workplace risks by examining and promoting health and safety basics and targeting specific areas of high risk within particular industries.
Although the tourism and hospitality industry is not considered high risk, musculoskeletal injury (MSI) prevention and psychological health and safety are likely topics for discussion when WorkSafeBC Prevention Officers carry out these inspections in 2024. Employers can learn more about WorkSafeBC’s areas of focus for 2024 here, including further details about MSIs and psychological health and safety.
For support preparing for or following a workplace inspection, request a free consultation with go2HR’s health and safety advisors. Learn more about this NEW service and request a consultation here. go2HR’s team of experts can also offer advice on managing MSIs, workplace psychological health and safety, and much more!
go2HR, the HR and health and safety association for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has a wealth of free resources to support you. We invite you to connect with us to learn more about how you can support your employees at hr@go2HR.ca.
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Reminder: LDB Inventory Count February 8-11
This is a reminder that the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB) distribution centres in Delta and Kamloops will conduct a mandatory physical inventory count from Thursday, February 8 through Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Please see the January 25th Liquor Industry Update for more information.
Please note, the Wholesale Customer Centre has emailed impacted customers of any changes to their shipping schedule.
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Celebrating 20 Years of ABLE BC!
2024 marks ABLE BC’s 20th anniversary – but did you know that ABLE’s advocacy work began in 1975 in our first iteration as the BC Neighbourhood Pub Owners’ Association (NPOA)?
Tony Rushworth, Branch Operations Advisor for the Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command, joined the NPOA in 1989 and later served as President from 1997-1999. At the time, he owned Mulvaney’s Pub in Burns Lake and Alpenhorn Pub in Smithers. Tony was, and continues to be, a strong advocate for the pub and private liquor industry in BC.
The foundation for ABLE BC was laid by Tony and his colleagues in the NPOA long before 2004. In 1999, Tony, Brenda Locke (then Executive Director of the NPOA), and members of the BC and Yukon Hotels’ Association and the BC Cabaret Owners’ Association were working together on shared liquor policy and smoking ban issues. These associations understood the need for a unified voice and the power of their collective members when working with government. They agreed to from one group, the Alliance of Beverage Licensees, which would officially form in March 2004.
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Tony continues to support the private liquor industry and ABLE BC in his current role with the Royal Canadian Legion. The BC/Yukon Command’s 143 branches are all active and valued members of ABLE BC.
We will continue to share highlights from key moments, influential ABLE members, and historic policy wins from the past 20 years all year.
Do you have a story to share about your own history with ABLE BC? Get in touch with ann@ablebc.ca.
And stay tuned for an anniversary party announcement!
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Out and About with ABLE BC
On February 1, we hosted our annual Post-Holiday Industry Reception in Vancouver. We were thrilled to see our members, partners, Vancouver City Councillors, Minister Farnworth, and LCRB and LDB officials come together to celebrate a year of hard work. This is one of our favourite and most fun annual events!
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! You can check out photos from the event here with password Thank you.
Prior to the reception, the ABLE BC Board of Directors convened the first meeting of 2024. It was a productive and positive discussion covering a range of topics, and with presentations from BC Lotto and the LCRB. See Jeff’s message above for more details.
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ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard appeared in the following media recently:
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Check out these upcoming events:
Click here for full event details.
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Join ABLE BC Today!
ABLE BC is the leading liquor advocacy organization in the province. We have a proven track record of success fighting for the interests of Liquor Primary and Licensee Retail Store businesses. We are dedicated to helping our industry come out of the pandemic stronger than ever!
We can’t do our work without the support of our members. ABLE is a non-profit organization and we depend on membership fees to continue to lobby and fight for your needs.
ABLE BC members have access to several benefit programs that offer exclusive discounts and are designed to help your business thrive. In addition to our benefit programs, we offer expert advice, regular webinars, the annual Liquor Industry Conference, and many networking opportunities.
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Copyright © 2024
BC's Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC)
200 - 948 Howe Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1N9 Canada
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