SPARK 2025 early bird pricing, Proline sports betting, ID checking guides, and more ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update: January 9, 2025 |
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: - Happy New Year from ABLE BC
- SPARK 2025 Early Bird Pricing Extended to January 24!
- Last Chance to Order Your 2025 ID Checking Guides
- BCLC Launches Proline for Liquor Primaries
- ABLE BC Joins the SOS Coalition
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Fast Track Your Future: F&B Operational Optimization
- ABLE BC's FAQ on the Temporary GST Relief
- Guide & Service Dogs in Your Establishment
What you'll find in every newsletter: |
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Happy New Year from ABLE BC
Happy New Year from ABLE BC! We hope you had a busy and profitable holiday season and that you had some time to connect with friends and family. Our team is back in the office after a short break, refreshed and ready to spend another year fighting for our members’ needs. We’re busy mapping out the year ahead and are excited about what we have in store for our members and industry partners. Every year, we host a post-holiday industry reception in Vancouver. We’re finalizing details for this year’s reception and look forward to sending invitations soon – you may want to keep your calendar clear for the end of January!
The federal GST holiday will end on February 15, 2025. We will continue to update our FAQ as needed until then and offer support and guidance through the re-application of GST to qualifying goods. If you have questions about the GST holiday, contact ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard at jeff@ablebc.ca.
SPARK: BC’s Liquor & Cannabis Conference is coming up on March 5, 2025, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre! The program is shaping up to be one of our best conference programs yet, so you won’t want to miss out. This is the best opportunity to connect directly with senior executives from the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) and Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), have a say in ABLE BC’s policy priorities, and learn from leading industry professionals in the liquor and cannabis sectors. As a special treat, we’ve extended early bird pricing for an additional two weeks. Get your tickets before January 24 for big savings on your registration.
At the end of 2024, we held our first meeting with Minister Garry Begg, BC’s new Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, responsible for the LCRB and LDB. This was a productive meeting that set the stage for successful advocacy on behalf of private liquor and cannabis businesses in BC. Stay tuned for more information on what we will be working on this year.
ABLE BC is celebrating a major milestone in 2025 – 50 years of successful advocacy for the private liquor industry! Read The Quarterly Pour Winter 2024 issue to get a glimpse at our 50 year history, and stay tuned to future Quarterly Pour and Liquor Industry Update newsletters to learn more about how we're celebrating all year long.
Do you have an issue you’d like ABLE BC to champion? Contact jeff@ablebc.ca to let us know. |
Jeff Guignard and David Hume (LCRB General Manager) at SPARK 2023 |
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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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SPARK 2025 Early Bird Pricing Extended to January 24!
SPARK 2025: BC Liquor & Cannabis Conference early bird pricing has been extended to January 24!
Don't miss out on the best pricing available for BC's premier liquor & cannabis conference.
Want to take your team to SPARK? We have special discounted rates available for group registration. Contact Jesse Sidhu, Manager of Membership & Events, at jesse@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560 ex 3 to secure the best price for your team.
Register now to join us for a day of advocacy, engagement, and networking on March 5, 2025, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. |
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
Discounted Group Rates Available Registering several members of your team?
Contact jesse@ablebc.ca to access special pricing. |
Last Chance to 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. |
BCLC Launches Proline for Liquor Primaries
We are delighted to share exciting news from our partners at the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC). Live sports betting is coming to participating Liquor Primaries in early 2025 with Proline!
Players will now be able to place bets on self serve terminals during live games, when available in participating bars and pubs.
ABLE BC is continuing regular meetings with BCLC senior management to discuss lottery retailer members’ operational needs. 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. |
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ABLE BC Joins the SOS Coalition
Last month, ABLE BC joined the Save Our Streets (SOS) Coalition, a non-partisan society of BC businesses and organizations who are concerned about crime, violence, and public disorder.
SOS met with Premier Eby and other Ministers on December 13 to discuss public safety issues with government officials who are responsible for designing and implementing solutions. SOS representatives left the meeting with the impression that the Premier and Ministers are results-focused, and will collaborate with businesses to address crime, violence, and public disorder. SOS is hosting the Communities Driving Change forum on January 23 at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver. |
Fast Track Your Future: F&B Operational Optimization
Register now for the BC Hotel Association’s (BCHA) Fast Track Your Future Online Education Series: Food & Beverage Operational Optimization. Facilitated by Blue Mountain Solutions.
Starting January 22, this six-part series is designed to enhance your F&B operations with industry insights and practical strategies.
This program covers topics such as understanding & impacting F&B financials, servicing your guests, and engaging your people. Perfect for hospitality professionals seeking to optimize their food and beverage operations, both front of house and in the kitchen, this series provides invaluable knowledge and actionable solutions to elevate your business to the next level. |
ABLE BC's FAQ on the Temporary GST Relief We will continue to update our comprehensive FAQ as new resources and information are made available. 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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Guide & Service Dogs in Your Establishment
Guide dogs and service dogs in your hospitality or retail establishment are increasingly common, so it's important that you and your team understand the rights and obligations of your business and your patrons.
BC's Guide Dog and Service Dog Act (GDSDA) outlines business and patron responsibilities with respect to guide and service dog teams. The GDSDA defines a guide dog team as a blind person and certified guide dog, and a service dog team as a person with a disability and certified service dog.
According to the GDSDA, guide dog teams, service dog teams, or dog-in-training teams must not be denied access to public spaces (i.e., pubs, restaurants, liquor retail, cannabis retail, etc), provided: -
The dog doesn’t occupy a seat; and
- The dog is on a leash/harness.
The guide or service dog team must be treated respectfully, as any other patron or customer.
Certification under the GDSDA is voluntary, and valid guide and service dog teams do exist outside of the GDSDA certification process. Guide and service dog teams that are certified with other authorities, or that are not certified, have equal right to access and use of public places.
What if the guide or service dog is having an off day and is misbehaving in your establishment? Does this mean that you must accommodate them? Not necessarily.
BC's Rights & Responsibilities of Business & the Public points out that if the guide or service dog is disruptive, then the dog team may be refused access and asked to leave.
The dog handler can file an official complaint against a business for wrongful denied access. Similarly, a business can file a complaint against a dog handler for false representation of a guide or service dog. Both complaints could face a fine up to $3,000.
It is best to train your staff to address guide and service dog teams in a professional and respectful manner. The best way to recognize a guide or service dog is by observing the behaviour of the dog and handler. If the dog doesn't occupy a seat, is on a leash or harness, and the team is not disruptive to the business or other patrons, you should allow them access to your business without question. For more resources on this topic: |
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Ask an Expert: Introducing Pierre Bourbonnais of SuperHR
We’re excited to announce our newest ABLE Expert, Pierre Bourbonnais of SuperHR!
Pierre, Co-Founder of SuperHR, uses his 20+ years of HR experience to craft customized solutions that empower organizations. Pierre is dedicated to ethical employment practices and enhancing employee engagement, which drives SuperHR's mission to help businesses realize their full potential and cultivate thriving workplace environments. |
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SuperHR offers solutions tailored to ABLE BC members' unique needs.
Core services include: - Comprehensive HR Program Implementation - support for seamless management of HR responsibilities.
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Compliance and Employee Relations Support - helping you navigate the entire employment cycle with confidence.
- Workplace Safety Prioritization - Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) services offer essential resources and training.
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SuperHR Academy - equipping your team with knowledge to foster positive workplace relationships as well as mandatory HR and OHS training courses.
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Interested in becoming an ABLE Expert? Contact jesse@ablebc.ca to learn more. |
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Cannabis Corner: Potential Changes Coming to Cannabis Excise Stamps
The federal government’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement (FES) outlined plans to cut red tape and modernize regulations for emerging sectors. As a part of these plans, the FES announced government’s “intent to explore a transition from cannabis excise duty stamps specific to each province and territory to a single, national stamp.”
Further details will be revealed in Budget 2025.
While this change may not address the most pressing issues for Canadian cannabis producers, ABLE BC recognizes it is a step in the right direction.
A single, national stamp could streamline administrative burdens associated with cannabis excise taxes, save cannabis producers time and money, and create new business opportunities in other provinces. This kind of simplification does have a positive impact on a producer’s bottom line.
ABLE BC applauds the federal government’s efforts to streamline the cannabis excise tax structure. We also acknowledge that reducing excise rates, which we pushed for last year, is needed to improve producer cashflow and the overall financial health of the industry. We will continue to work with government partners on cost-saving and streamlining measures throughout 2025, and we look forward to sharing further updates as they are available. |
go2HR on Tap: Microbreaks for a Healthier Workplace
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.
Start the new year by focusing on a simple practice for a healthier workplace: microbreaks.
In bars and pubs, encouraging employees to take microbreaks can improve productivity and reduce stress at work. Microbreaks are not extended break times, but rather brief moments where employees can step back and breathe for 30 seconds before returning to their tasks with renewed energy.
Managers can brainstorm ideas with their teams to incorporate microbreaks into daily routines. Here are some suggestions to get started: - Encourage staff to stretch behind the bar or at the cash register during slower moments.
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Share a positive message or a quick joke with your coworkers to boost morale.
- Practice deep breathing exercises between customer interactions to reset focus.
Make microbreaks part of your culture for a healthier, happier workplace! Learn why microbreaks matter for your team by reading the full article from People Working Well. Questions about microbreaks or any other mental health topics? Contact the go2HR Mental Health & Psychological Safety Consultants at mentalhealth@go2hr.ca.
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 Have you registered for SPARK 2025 yet? Don’t miss out on early bird pricing! Get your tickets today for BC’s premier liquor and cannabis conference! |
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In case you missed it, ABLE BC appeared in the following media recently: |
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Highlights from SPARK 2023 |
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: - Free Spirit, Vancouver, January 16
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Communities Driving Change Forum, Vancouver, January 23
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Vancouver International Wine Festival, February 22-March 2
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SPARK: BC Liquor & Cannabis Conference, Vancouver, March 5
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BC Tourism Industry Conference, Vancouver, March 5-7
- WORTH Leadership Summit, Vancouver, March 11
- Victoria Cocktail Week, April 13-20
- BCHA Summit, Vancouver, April 22-23
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