GST Relief on Food & Alcohol, ID Checking Guides, SPARK: BC Liquor & Cannabis Conference, and more ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update: December 19, 2024 |
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: - Happy Holidays from ABLE BC
- Bill C-78: Tax Break for All Canadians
- CRA GST Break Info Session Recording
- Vancouver's 2025 Summer Patio Program
- Don't Miss Out on SPARK 2025 Early Bird Pricing
- BC Lottery Corporation
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The Post Shift Podcast with Jeff Guignard
- Destination Canada Mobility Program
- BCHF Scholarship Applications Open Now
- 2025 BCHA Summit Registration Now Open
- Order Your 2025 ID Checking Guides
What you'll find in every newsletter: |
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Happy Holidays from ABLE BC
Happy holidays from ABLE BC! As we prepare to bid farewell to 2024 and hello to 2025, our team and Board of Directors wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and prosperous holiday season. |
ABLE BC’s offices will be closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 as the team takes time to celebrate the holidays and New Year with our families. The next Industry Update Newsletter will land in your inbox on Jan. 9, 2025. Should something urgent arise, you can always contact our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, directly at jeff@ablebc.ca. |
Bill C-78: Tax Break for All Canadians
The federal GST holiday has posed bigger challenges than anticipated, particularly for the private liquor and hospitality industries.
In particular, there has been confusion between BC manufacturers and the LDB about charging GST and how to align systems between suppliers and LDB Wholesale. Manufacturers, the LDB, and all other suppliers are doing their best to make the right decisions for industry, their customers, and their businesses. Everyone is struggling with a lack a clarity and a short timeline to make complicated invoicing and internal system changes.
Manufacturers and the LDB are actively working together with a goal of aligning to the legislation on all qualifying goods.
We understand your concerns, confusion, and complaints about this measure that has made an already busy time of year even more chaotic. We all hope the GST savings will lead to a healthy increase to your bottom line that makes the additional work worth your while.
We are working with government partners to gain clarity on your questions and create opportunities to streamline some of the administrative burdens. Rest assured, in our frequent meetings with government, we are sharing your serious and valid frustrations with the timing, lack of clarity, and rollout of the federal GST holiday.
We will continue to update our comprehensive FAQ with new resources and information as we are able to. If you have questions that are not addressed in our FAQ, please contact ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard at jeff@ablebc.ca.
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Download updated signage for your LRS or hospitality business: |
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People Working Well
The CMHA BC and go2HR have created a resource for tourism and hospitality employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work. |
| Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter
Sign up for our Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for cannabis retailers. Click here to read past cannabis newsletters. |
| ABLE BC Member Portal The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact jesse@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in. |
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CRA GST Break Info Session Recording
If you missed last week's Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) information session on the GST break, watch the recording below. |
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Vancouver's 2025 Summer Patio Program
The City of Vancouver's Summer Patio program guidelines and permit process will not change for 2025. For the summer 2025 patio season, Vancouver businesses can complete a patio permit renewal (to install the same patio as last summer) or submit a new application (for a new summer patio) using the same guidelines and permit processes as last year. Permit holders in the Large Sidewalk Patio program will see some process improvements for 2025 including transitioning from having both a license agreement and a permit to having a permit only. As the Patio Program Review is ongoing, no changes to the design guidelines will be implemented in the 2025 summer patio program. In early spring 2025, we will reach out about engagement opportunities where you can help to shape the program for future years. Patio Program Review Update
City of Vancouver staff are developing draft recommendations for future program updates, including expanded design options, accessibility guidelines, a fee review, and simplified application requirements. We are working through stakeholder feedback received in 2024 and learnings from the 2024 Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot. We are also collaborating with partners, including the Building Review Branch (BRB) and Liquor and Cannabis Review Board (LCRB), to explore potential regulatory changes that could unlock substantial opportunities for patios.
To allow sufficient time to work through these learnings and potential regulatory changes, the Patio Program Review timeline has been extended. In spring 2025, Vancouver businesses will be invited to a third round of stakeholder engagement to gather input on the final draft program updates. A report to Council with the recommended program updates is planned for fall 2025. If approved by Council, the updated Patio Program would be implemented for the Summer 2026 patio season. Please contact robert.catherall@vancouver.ca or 604 871-6980 with any questions. |
Don't Miss Out on SPARK 2025 Early Bird Pricing Registration for SPARK: BC Liquor & Cannabis Conference is open!
Early bird rates are now available for ABLE BC members and non-members. Register before January 10, 2025, to secure the best price for BC's premier liquor and cannabis conference. |
Member Rates Early Bird: $395 | Regular: $549
Log in to the Member Portal to secure your member rate.
Questions about the portal or ABLE BC memberships? Contact jesse@ablebc.ca.
Non-Member Rates Early Bird: $495 | Regular: $649
All liquor, cannabis, tourism, and hospitality industry members are welcome! |
Help us build a SPARK program that will elevate your hospitality or retail business. Fill out the SPARK Survey to let us know what issues, topics, and trends matter most to you.
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BC Lottery Corporation
We continue to meet with the BC Lottery Corporation (BLCL) regarding the ongoing challenges of financial reconciliation, and its impact on member billing processes. We’ve been assured that addressing these issues is a top priority for BCLC. We are confident that BCLC is taking these matters very seriously and is working diligently on a resolution.
ABLE BC also meets with BCLC senior management monthly to discuss the impacts to our lottery retailer members’ business operations.
We will provide further updates as they are available. If you have questions, please contact Jeff Guignard, ABLE BC's Executive Director, at jeff@ablebc.ca. |
The Post Shift Podcast with Jeff Guignard
In case you missed it, ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, spoke with Shawn Soole on The Post Shift Podcast about the state of the industry and what to expect in 2025. Watch the podcast below. |
Destination Canada Mobility Program
The deadline to join the Destination Canada Mobility Forum has been extended to December 20th! The Forum is held through the Francophone Mobility Program and is a fantastic, cost-effective way to connect with bilingual individuals eager to move to Canada to work in the hospitality industry. There is no LMIA required when hiring through this program!
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) is proud to represent BC businesses at this annual international recruitment event, which has already delivered proven results. By joining the Forum through BCHA you'll gain: - Access to Skilled Talent: Connect with pre-screened candidates for key hospitality roles outlined by you.
- LMIA Exemption: Skip the Labour Market Impact Assessment, saving time and resources.
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Cost-Effective Recruitment: Tap into a valuable resource at a fraction of traditional recruitment costs.
- Vetting & Matching: Let BCHA handle the vetting process – we match the right candidates with your job orders
With hospitality's ongoing staffing shortages, this is a unique opportunity to build your team with motivated, qualified workers ready to make a difference.
Don’t miss out! Visit our website today to learn more and sign up before the December 20th deadline. |
BCHF Scholarship Applications Now Open
The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) scholarship applications are now open for 2025! Apply for a Legacy Scholarship before the January 24, 2025, deadline. Candidates can apply for all open scholarships by filling out the appropriate scholarship form. Applicants will only be awarded one scholarship per year and will not be awarded the same scholarship two years in a row. Scholarships will be granted, and the disbursement of funds will be held in trust until the successful applicant provides a completion document for the corresponding enrollment period, as indicated on the application form. |
2025 BCHA Summit Registration Now Open
The wait is over—registration for the 2025 BCHA Summit is now open! The Summit will take place at the iconic Westin Bayshore, Vancouver from April 22 - 23.
This year, the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) is excited to partner with veritree—for every early bird ticket sold, two verified trees will be planted to support reforestation efforts. Register early to grow your knowledge and plant the seeds for a sustainable future in hospitality. Member Early Bird Rate: $779 // Non-Member Early Bird Rate: $1,039 More information on program details, featured speakers, welcome reception, and more will be announced soon. Stay tuned! |
Order Your 2025 ID Checking Guides
The NEW 2025 North American ID Checking Guide and NEW 16th Edition International ID Checking Guide are now available to order through ABLE BC.
Place your order before January 10, 2025, to secure our group buying discount! |
ID Checking Guides help you and your staff make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver’s licenses and ID cards – your best protection against ID fraud. These books also help ensure you are kept updated on the latest versions of all ID formats. |
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Ask an Expert:
Ace Your LRS Annual Strategic Planning
In this edition of Ask an Expert, Rebecca Hardin of Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors shares insights on creating a successful annual strategic plan for private liquor stores.
Most liquor store principals first contact Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors when they are starting a liquor store and need a BC liquor license application. Though liquor licensing is our core service, we also have operational expertise – the nitty-gritty details of running a successful retail liquor business. Our consultants provide ongoing guidance, analysis and recommendations that can make your strategic plan come to life.
Thrive can help you create a solid annual strategic plan that includes: - Mission statement
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Goals
- Past performance analysis
- Budget
- Measurable actions
- Periodic review and updates
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Interested in becoming an ABLE Expert? Contact jesse@ablebc.ca to learn more. |
Cannabis Corner: Advocacy on Behalf of North Vancouver Retailers ABLE BC is working with municipalities across BC to reduce business licensing fees for cannabis retailers, as Powell River has recently done.
Last week, we wrote to North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little and Council to express our strong support of reducing the $5735.20 business licence fee for cannabis retailers. We are also pushing the District of North Vancouver to align operating hours for licensed cannabis retailers with the provincial standard of 11:00 pm, set by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). We look forward to sharing updates as they are available. We will continue to push for more opportunities in other communities across BC. |
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go2HR on Tap: Tackle Workplace Conflicts with Confidence
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.
Conflicts in the workplace are inevitable—and resolving them effectively is crucial for maintaining a healthy team dynamic. For leaders, it is even more important to handle conflict resolution in the workplace. With go2HR, discover practical tips for: - Recognizing when intervention is necessary.
- Balancing empathy with objectivity.
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Setting clear boundaries to foster professional communication.
- Redirecting focus when resolution isn't possible.
Don't let unresolved conflicts disrupt your team's productivity. Visit go2HR for step-by-step guidance and personalized support from our Regional HR Consultants.
Explore Conflict Resolution Strategies Now
go2HR, the HR and health and safety association for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has a wealth of resources to support you. We invite you to connect with us to learn more about how you can support your employees with health and safety at safety@go2HR.ca.
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Out and About with ABLE BC December is always a busy and exciting time of meetings, industry events, and holiday receptions.
The ABLE BC team has been out and about this month meeting colleagues and friends at the BC Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Premier & Cabinet Luncheon, the IVSA’s Annual Festive Lunch, Destination Vancouver’s Annual Lunch, Downtown Van’s Holiday reception, and a Business in Vancouver event featuring Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim. We’ve also met directly with several MLAs and senior officials, including Solicitor General Garry Begg. |
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Bo and Jesse with ABLE BC members at the Surrey Board of Trade Seasonal Sizzle |
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: - Vancouver International Wine Festival, February 22-March 2, 2025
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SPARK: BC Liquor & Cannabis Conference, Vancouver, March 5, 2025
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BC Tourism Industry Conference, Vancouver, March 5-7, 2025
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WORTH Leadership Summit, Vancouver, March 11, 2025
- Victoria Cocktail Week, April 13-20, 2025
- BCHA Summit, Vancouver, April 22-23, 2025
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