Liquor Industry Update: November 16 , 2023

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:

  • BC’s Securing Small Business Rebate Program Opens November 22

  • Update on Responsible Drinking Guidance

  • Changes to Container Recycling Fees

  • 3rd Annual Vancouver Cocktail Week

  • Tequila tasting event

  • BCHF: Spirit of Hospitality online lottery fundraiser

  • WorkSafeBC: New rules will impact all BC employers

  • Cannabis Corner: Help Support Our Advocacy Efforts

  • go2HR on Tap: Joint Health and Safety Committee Online Training

  • Out and About with ABLE BC

BC’s Securing Small Business Rebate Program opens November 22

Beginning Nov. 22, 2023, small business owners in BC can apply to be reimbursed up to $2,000 per business for vandalism repair costs, and up to $1,000 for preventative measures. Applications are open until Jan. 31, 2025 and are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023 to cover any costs incurred over the year

The $10.5-million Securing Small Business Rebate Program is designed to ease the financial burden on small businesses like you—who are bearing the brunt of a staggering increase in vandalism, theft, property crime, and mental health and addition issues. As many of you have reported over the past year, repairs and security upgrades can costs thousands of dollars—often out of your pockets.

This rebate is offered at a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants so encourage members to apply as soon as possible.

Click here for more information.

Update on Responsible Drinking Guidance

In January this year, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction (CCSA) released its latest guidance on alcohol consumption. Their report suggests no amount of alcohol is safe to consume, and recommends Canadians enjoy no more than two drinks per week. The report sparked significant media attention and has led to campaigns such as drinklesslivemore.ca.

Despite the CCSA’s claims to offer “Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health,” Health Canada still endorses the existing Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines—which recommend no more than two drinks a day for women and three drinks a day for men.

The Canadian Alliance for Responsible Drinkers (CARD) is working to set the record straight by providing unbiased information and education that encourages responsible drinking and reduces harmful consumption. CARD Director Mark Hicken speaks to media frequently on this topic, including:

To learn more about CARD, click here.

Changes to Container Recycling Fees

LDB Wholesale has asked that we share the following information with you.

Please be advised that Encorp Pacific has notified the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) of changes to container recycling fee (CRF) rates effective Period 11 – January 28, 2024.

Click here for a list of Container Recycling Fee changes.

Your wholesale prices will automatically be adjusted on January 28, 2024 to reflect the new rates.

If you would like to maintain the current wholesale price, please submit a standard Supplier Cost Change form available on the LDB vendor website no later than December 8, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. 

The Wholesale Pricing Calculator tool with the updated CRF rates is available on the vendor website now to reassess wholesale costing and pricing information.

The Supplier Cost Change form can be emailed to wholesalepricing@bcldb.com. 

Please be advised late submissions after the December 8 deadline will not be 

accepted.

Thank you,

LDB Wholesale Operations

Vancouver Cocktail Week 2024: Tickets on Sale Dec. 1st 

Tickets for Vancouver Cocktail Week 2024 go on sale December 1! After successful events in 2022 and 2023, VCW by The Alchemist is back for its third run. 2024’s cocktail celebration will be held from March 3 to 10, 2024. 

The week kicks off with an elevated “Punch Brunch,” offering a cocktail-paired brunch menu. Expect seminars, master classes, parties, and dinners, followed by the VCW Gala on March 9 to close off the week.

This is a great opportunity to mingle with international and national bar stars at the hottest cocktail venues around town. Connect with other industry professionals over a drink (or several) and celebrate the liquor industry’s milestones over the past year.

A portion of ticket sales will go towards the VCW’s charity partner, the BC Hospitality Foundation, and its scholarship program. Read more about BCHF’s work in our industry here.

Click here for more information and to order tickets.

Tequila Tasting at Toby’s Liquor Store

ABLE BC member, Toby’s Liquor Store, is hosting a tequila tasting on November 30th  from 6 to 9 p.m. Industry members receive 50% off the regular admission price of $60 and are warmly invited to sample some of the best-selling tequila-based products on the market.

Light snacks and a tasting glass are included in the ticket price. Toby’s will also be offering a tiered discount system for in-store products. 

Order tickets today on their website here.

BCHF Fundraiser: The Spirit of Hospitality Lottery 

The BC Hospitality Foundation has launched a lottery fundraiser to help provide financial support for workers in the hospitality industry. The Spirit of Hospitality Lottery, presented by The Hotel Association of Vancouver, is now open and will run until December 10. 

Proceeds will go toward helping hospitality industry members seeking financial relief, especially during this holiday season. The lottery features prizes like fine dining, luxury accommodation, holiday activities, and entertainment worth over $30,000. The BCHF’s goal is to raise $100,000 in funds this year. 

With your help, ABLE BC’s charity of choice will be able to reach their fundraising goals. Spread the word with your family and friends! 

Tickets are for sale in bundles. Click here for more information on price breakdown and prizes.

WorkSafeBC: New Regulations will Impact all BC Employers

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, B.C. employers will need to comply with WorkSafeBC’s new return-to-work requirements. Employers and workers will be required to coordinate for the employee’s timely return to work post-injury. Additionally, employers who have over 20 employees will be legally obligated to maintain a worker’s employment post-injury. 

The duty to cooperate between employer and employee is meant to encourage communication and coordination between the two parties. Employers will be required to provide information to WorkSafeBC about the return-to-work support they have provided to employees. This rule applies to injury claims dated Jan. 1, 2022, onward.

Employers with 20 or more workers, who have employed an injured worker for a year prior to injury, are legally obliged to maintain that worker’s employment post-injury. Employers also need to provide suitable adjustments to the workplace to accommodate the injured worker. This applies to all injury claims dated July 1, 2023, onward. 

A virtual info session about the new rules is being held on Nov. 16, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Register for the session here.

More resources from WorkSafeBC are available here:

Cannabis Corner: Help Support Our Advocacy Efforts

As ABLE BC works to support BC’s cannabis retailers, we meet regularly with various officials at the LDB, LCRB, and with elected officials in the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

Toronto-based company Pollara Strategic Insights released poll results showing two-thirds of Canadian cannabis consumers purchased from the legal market this year—a 7% increase since 2022. These figures reflect ABLE BC and our industry partners’ collective efforts against the illicit market and act as momentum for us to continue raising public education and awareness in the industry.

Want to get involved in our cannabis advocacy? To join our Cannabis Committee, contact our Head of Cannabis Membership Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca. 

Do you own a cannabis retail store? Sign up now for an ABLE BC cannabis membership to support the work we do on your behalf. Sign up with code ABLECAN1 to save $100 off a cannabis membership for your first store, and code ABLECAN2 to save $50 off a membership for each additional store.

Click here to join as a cannabis member now!

go2HR on Tap: Joint Health and Safety Committee Online Training

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.

Out and About with ABLE BC

It’s been a busy couple of weeks with lots of travel for the ABLE BC team.

Between government meetings in Victoria this week, Jeff presented to the Board of Directors of our partners at the BC Hotel Association about our ongoing advocacy work on their behalf. ABLE BC and the BCHA have been partners since ABLE BC’s founding, and most recently co-hosted our highly successful SPARK conference.

Also this week, Jeff was in Coquitlam for a meeting of liquor retailers to discuss wine grocery stores. The meeting was hosted by long-time ABLE BC member Gordy Cartwright and owner of Woody's on Brunette. This coming Monday evening, Jeff will be presenting to Coquitlam’s City Council to argue against an current application by Loblaw’s to sell wine on shelves in one of their Coquitlam stores.

On Tuesday evening, Jeff and Bo Chen (ABLE BC’s Head of Cannabis Membership) attended the annual Webster Awards, celebrating excellence in BC’s journalism. It was an exciting evening where we had a moment to catch up with Premier David Eby, Vancouver City Councillors Lisa Dominato and Mike Klassen, and dozens of media insiders.

Ann Brydle