Message from the President, Farewell reception, ED transition... |
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Liquor Industry Update: April 17, 2025 |
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues, Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: Message from ABLE BC President Yvan Charette - Farewell Reception for Jeff Guignard
- B.C. Moves to Eliminate Sick Notes for Short-Term Absences
- New BCL Hospitality Handbook Highlights Improved Ordering process
- LDB Wholesale Update on U.S. Tariffs
- Minors as Agents Inspection Notifications
- Support the BCHF - Hospitality with Heart June 2025
BCHF Fundraiser: Stock a Wine That Gives Back Partner with ABLE BC: New Associate Membership Tiers
What you'll find in every newsletter: Ask an Expert: Prepare Your Licensed Premise for Summer Cannabis Corner: Upcoming Survey and Townhall go2HR on Tap: De-Escalation Tips for BC Pubs and Bars Out and About with ABLE BC Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
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| Leadership Transition and the Future of ABLE BC A Message from Yvan Charette, President Dear ABLE BC Members, I'm writing to share an important leadership update. After 11 years of service, our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, is moving on to a new opportunity . While this marks a big transition for ABLE BC, I want to begin by thanking Jeff for his dedication, guidance, and leadership. He’s been instrumental in building the strong, respected organization we have today. Jeff has been more than a colleague — he’s been a partner and mentor. As many of you know, he’s provided steady leadership, even through stormy times. We’ve all learned a lot from working with him. That said, I want to be transparent about where we are and what happens next. Over the past 10 days, I’ve been working closely with Jeff, the ABLE BC team, and our Board of Directors. We’ve put in long hours to ensure a smooth, stable transition. Here’s what you should know: - In the interim, I will be overseeing day-to-day operations with the support of our talented staff. I’ve personally devoted more time to ABLE BC and our industry over the past two weeks than to my own business or family. That’s not a complaint — it’s a commitment.
- Our Board has stepped up. These are operators like you who’ve put their businesses on hold to guide ours. We are using this moment as an opportunity to think carefully about our next steps and ensure ABLE BC is positioned for long-term success.
- We’ve mapped out short, medium, and long-term strategies for a strong transition. Replacing a leader like Jeff won’t be quick or easy — and our plan allows us to adapt as needed. Rest assured we’ll be honest about what’s working and what needs to change.
I remain fully committed to ensuring ABLE BC continues to be a strong voice at the table with government and regulators and that we continue to provide the same high-quality services and advocacy our members rely on. To everyone who’s reached out with support — thank you. Your encouragement, advice, and offers to help prove that we are united as an industry. Different sizes, structures, and ideologies — but one team. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. We will also continue to share updates through our regular Industry Update newsletters . With respect and gratitude,
Yvan Charette
President, ABLE BC
Owner, Hospitality Professional, Advocate
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Farewell Reception for Jeff Guignard After more than a decade leading ABLE BC, our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, is moving on to an exciting new chapter . Please join us as we celebrate Jeff and wish him all the best in his next role. Location: Parallel 49 Brewing Company (1950 Triumph St , Van) Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Enjoy a relaxed evening with industry friends and colleagues. - A complimentary beverage and tasty appetizers will be provided on arrival.
- Brief remarks will take place at 6:00 PM.
Let’s give Jeff the warm send-off he deserves—surrounded by great people, great stories, and great beer. Please RSVP by April 22 to jesse@ablebc.ca We hope to see you there! |
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B.C. Moves to Eliminate Sick Notes for Short-Term Absences The B.C. government has introduced legislation aimed at removing the requirement for employees to provide doctor's notes for short-term illnesses. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside recently introduced Bill 11, which proposes amendments to the Employment Standards Act to clarify that employers cannot request, and employees are not obligated to provide, sick notes from physicians, nurse practitioners, or registered nurses for brief absences due to illness or injury. Health Minister Josie Osborne emphasized that this change addresses concerns from healthcare professionals about the administrative burden of issuing sick notes, which detracts from patient care. The Canadian Medical Association estimates that B.C. doctors wrote approximately 1.6 million sick notes in 2024. While the bill has been introduced, it has not yet been passed into law. The government plans to establish regulations defining "short-term absence" and outlining the frequency of absences before a sick note may be required. These regulations are expected to be in place before the respiratory illness season in fall 2025. Click here to read the official news release. |
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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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New BCL Hospitality Handbook highlights improved ordering process BCLIQUOR (BCL) has released its new BCL Hospitality Handbook , designed for hospitality customers who order their liquor products through BCL stores. The new handbook was informed by input from ABLE BC’s Hospitality Working Group, which has been providing BCL and the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) with feedback on standardizing the ordering experience and improving service for hospitality licensees. The handbook covers BCL’s improved ordering process end to end, from submitting accurate orders to pickup, shipping, payment and returns. BCL has produced a short video that provides a quick preview of the service improvements and the handbook’s contents. You can download the handbook here or visit the Customer Service page on the BCL website to access the handbook as well as an updated order form. Please note: the new handbook is specific to orders placed/product purchased via BCL stores. Hospitality customers serviced by the LDB Wholesale Customer Centres (WCC) in Vancouver and Victoria will continue to follow WCC ordering guidelines. The LDB Wholesale website’s hospitality section continues to be the main online resource for all wholesale customers. |
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One Month On: LDB Update on U.S. Tariffs It’s been a little over a month since the B.C. Government’s March 10, 2025 directive , which halted the importation of all U.S.-made liquor products in the province. It’s important to note that wholesale customers, including private liquor stores, bars, restaurants, and pubs will continue to be able to order U.S.-made liquor products from existing inventory already in the province, while it lasts, including inventory in third-party warehouses. The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is also making it easier for customers who are committed to supporting B.C. and Canadian-made products to choose Canadian-made wine, beer, refreshment beverages, and spirits. Product information, including a list of Canadian-made liquor products and U.S.-made liquor products, is available at: https://wholesale.bcldb.com/resources/product-information . For the latest news and updates on our actions in response to the U.S. tariffs, visit the LDB Wholesale Operations website here: wholesale.bcldb.com/news . Emerging Market Trends Initial observations suggest that the uncertainty surrounding the threats and implementation of the U.S. tariffs drove short-term spikes in demand for U.S.-made spirits, in the private retail channel. Each announcement related to tariffs appears to have noticeably influenced purchasing behaviour. While it’s too early to assess longer-term trends, inventory of U.S.-made wines, spirits, beer, and refreshment beverages remain available and continue to be ordered by private retailers and hospitality establishments through the private channel. The LDB will continue to monitor these trends as more data becomes available. Government and industry remain aligned in supporting and strengthening B.C.’s beverage alcohol sector. For the latest updates, please visit the LDB Wholesale Operations website. |
Minors as Agents inspection notifications We are pleased to share an important update from the LCRB. The Minors as Agents Program (MAP) continues to play an important role in helping the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) monitor the responsible sale of liquor and cannabis at licensed establishments and government-operated stores. To improve transparency, the LCRB will now automatically email licensees within 14 days after a MAP compliance check at their establishment to inform them that they passed. Only licensees who refuse service to a minor agent will receive these notifications as recognition of their diligence to serve responsibly. Licensees who sell liquor or cannabis to a minor agent will be contacted by their LCRB inspector. Please note that the email notification will not include specific details such as the date and time of the inspection or any information about the LCRB staff involved. This is to help maintain the integrity and credibility of the program. As you know, checking identification (ID) is fundamental to responsible service and preventing liquor or cannabis sales to minors. This practice helps protect your establishment from potential penalties or enforcement action. We encourage you to have clear house policies for checking ID. For example, some businesses check the ID of every customer, while others check only those who appear under 30 years old. Learn more about preventing contraventions. Find the Check ID decal and signs for: If you have any questions about this program, contact LCRB.CandE.Admin@gov.bc.ca . |
Support the BCHF: Hospitality With Heart Launching this June, Hospitality With Heart is a new initiative inviting hospitality and tourism businesses to support the BCHF through a week- or month-long fundraising campaign. Participating is easy—get involved by featuring a special menu item, donating a portion of sales from a glass or bottle, or contributing through a dollar-per-case program. Learn more and explore how you can take part:
www.bchospitalityfoundation.com/hospitality-with-heart |
Support the BCHF: Stock a Wine That Gives Back Join us in supporting the BC Hospitality Foundation by carrying The Journey 2023 by Maison Smith Montpetit—a premium Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend from the Similkameen Valley, awarded 92 points by Gismondi on Wine. Crafted with care and purpose, this wine isn’t just exceptional—it gives back. For every case sold, $40 goes directly to BCHF: $20 from your purchase, and $20 matched by the winery.
Attractive to customers and meaningful to the community, The Journey is a standout addition to your shelves.
Ready to stock up and support? Jim: 604-551-6911
Richard: 778-778-9475
Order online: www.smithmontpetit.com |
Partner with ABLE BC: New Associate Membership Tiers ABLE BC's Manager of Membership and Events, Jesse Sidhu, has re-vamped our associate membership offerings. The new tiers bring more value to suppliers and service providers of BC's liquor and cannabis industries, and amp up the benefits and perks available to ABLE BC liquor and cannabis licensee members. ABLE BC Associates can now choose from one of three membership tiers that best fit their business needs and goals:
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Ask an Expert: Prepare Your Licensed Premise for Summer with Thrive Advisors The May Long Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer — and a critical sales period for liquor primary establishments. As operators are busy focusing on Buy Local campaigns and managing operations, it may be easy to overlook a key compliance step: converting your TESA patio into a permanently licensed area. Reminder: The TESA (Temporary Expanded Service Area) program ended December 31, 2024. Serving liquor on these now-unlicensed patios without updating your license could lead to hefty fines. If you haven’t submitted your patio for permanent approval, act now to protect your business and take advantage of the summer months. Here’s what you need to know: Fast-Track Your Patio License – Key Tips The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has created an expedited review process for new patio applications — but only for complete submissions. Here’s how to get it right: Show your full space: Your floor plan must include both your indoor space and the proposed patio. Stamp it: Get your occupancy load plan stamped by your local government. Pro tip: Don’t request a capacity increase unless absolutely necessary. Doing so triggers a longer review and community consultation. Stick to your existing interior capacity for now, and revisit expansion later. Check local rules: Especially in Vancouver, where you’ll need a separate patio permit. Be thorough in your LCRB submission: Include construction details, materials used, and whether alcohol will cross unlicensed zones. Upload these often-missed extras to avoid delays: Patio lease or land title Patio permit Pay the fee and watch for a quick turnaround. Avoid unnecessary follow-ups with LCRB to help them keep things moving. Need Help? ABLE BC Expert Thrive Advisors can support your submission and ensure your summer setup is compliant and optimized. We offer ABLEBC members a free 30-minute consultation. Connect with us at hello@thriveadvisors.ca to book your session today. |
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Cannabis Corner: Upcoming Survey and Townhall Help shape ABLE BC's cannabis policies! As ABLE BC’s Cannabis Membership continues to unite (representing over 100 stores in BC), we are preparing the next set of engagement work with membership on advocacy priorities such as perspectives on: - BC’s market controls;
- on-going government regulatory projects;
- and streamlining existing cannabis policies.
Keep an eye on your inbox for further communication on an upcoming townhall and new survey for members. Not sure if your cannabis business is a part of ABLE BC Membership? Contact bo@ablebc.ca |
go2HR on Tap: De-Escalation Tips for BC Pubs and Bars 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 . In a fast-paced environment like yours, frontline staff often manage more than just drink orders—they handle tense situations that can quickly escalate. With rising psychological injury claims reported to WorkSafeBC, it’s clear that every workplace, especially in hospitality, needs clear protocols and practical training in place. Do your staff know what to do if a customer becomes aggressive or unsafe?
Taking just five minutes to review de-escalation strategies can make a big difference in keeping your team safe and confident.
▶️ Watch our quick safety talk video :
De-Escalation Tips for Tourism & Hospitality – People Working Well
Includes a downloadable PDF you can post or share during pre-shift huddles.
Looking to go deeper? We’ve also created short, impactful videos on related topics like: - Trauma-informed workplace practices
- Setting boundaries
- Staff self-care
For further information, resources and courses please visit: Tourism & Hospitality - People Working Well 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 Over the past two weeks, ABLE BC's Board of Directors has been meeting weekly to guide a smooth leadership transition. Our highest priority is to ensure our association remains strong and responsive through this change, offering the same levels of service and support members have come to reply on. The LRS Committee also met this week to discuss pressing and ongoing issues affecting private liquor retailers. Jeff and the Committee discussed the current health of industry, and ongoing efforts to limit convenience stores from retailing alcohol in BC. For a bit of fun after work, the team attended the BC Lions Kick Off party in downtown Vancouver with ABLE Expert Super HR. Left to right in photo: Pierre Bourbonnis (SuperHR), Jesse Sidhu (Manager of Membership and Events), Buck Pierce (Head Coach, BC Lions), Yvan Charette (President), Jeff Guignard (Executive Director). |
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: |
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