Liquor Industry Update: August 10th, 2023

Liquor Industry Update: August 10th, 2023 

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:

  • A Message from ABLE BC’s President, Yvan Charette

  • 2023 Membership Survey

  • Don’t Forget – It’s Time to Renew your ABLE BC Membership

  • Unionization Increasing in Liquor Retail

  • TFW Recognized Employer Pilot Program

  • Savings for Pubs, Bars, and Nightclubs with Release of WorkSafeBC’s 2024 Preliminary Insurance Rates

  • Le Devoir Op-Eds on The Proof Campaign and CCSA Report

  • Provincial Government Seeking Feedback: App-Based Ride-Hail & Food-Delivery Work

  • Protect your Business from Fraud – 10 Tips from Global Payments

  • Restaurants Canada Q2 Outlook Survey Results

  • ABLE BC’s Guide to Low-Risk Drinking – free pdf download!

  • The Fall 2023 Issue of The Quarterly Pour is Out Now!

  • Cannabis Corner with Nick Landells

  • Out and About with ABLE BC!

  • BCHF Victoria Golf Tournament, August 23, 2023

  • Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars

Find all past updates here.

A Message from ABLE BC’s President, Yvan Charette

It has been my great pleasure to represent fellow owners as President of ABLE BC for the past two years. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a growing and strong membership of both LRS and LP licensees, and want to thank each of you for supporting ABLE BC and the advocacy work we do on your behalf.

 As business owners in a volatile industry where we compete against our largest supplier, as well as face margin compression on many levels, it is clear to me that operators need to know their interests are represented. I am pleased to report that our “voice” is very well-received and respected on many levels, with strong lines of communication to various Ministers, elected officials, senior policy makers, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), and others.

For this, I would like to thank ABLE BC’s hardworking staff—particularly Jeff Guignard (Executive Director) and Ann Brydle (Manager of Membership and Communication)— along with their support team. I also want to thank our volunteer Board of Directors—past and present—for developing our association and its reputation. Together, we strive to find solutions to address industry challenges, work collaboratively, and advocate on your behalf.   

The past two years have been filled with eye-opening experiences. I love what I do, and I am immensely proud to represent you. I know we’re facing a tough road ahead, and I know that sometimes owners can feel like they’re navigating the choppy waters of ownership all alone. I know I do. But our industry is tough. You are tough. Which is why I believe that now, more than ever, we need to stick together as an industry to ensure our concerns are voiced and heard. Both as a member, and now as President, I believe membership is vital to ensuring that ABLE BC continues to advocate for the health and success of our businesses.

 (If you haven’t yet renewed your membership for 2023-24, please see below.)

One of the best parts of being President is connecting with and learning directly from members. Later this month, I’ll be hosting several “Virtual Happy Hours” to discuss issues directly with you. Members can ask questions, and together we can all learn from one another—everything from issues with inspectors, running sports pools, or ideas to maximize profitability. Stay tuned for details in our next Liquor Industry Update newsletter.

I look forward to speaking with you soon. I also hope you’ll join us at our annual SPARK Conference, happening October 16 and 17 at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster.

Until then, if you’d like to book a one-on-one meeting or phone call with me, please email jeff@ablebc.ca.

 2023 Membership Survey

Help us improve our membership services and communication practices by filling out the ABLE BC 2023 Membership Survey.

 Your feedback is vital in helping our team understand how we can serve you better. The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey will close on September 8th at 5pm. 

Click here to fill out the survey now

Don’t Forget – It’s Time to Renew your ABLE BC Membership

ABLE BC memberships expire on August 31, 2023. Members can renew early by logging in to the member portal and following renewal instructions posted on the dashboard. If you have questions about your renewal or would like to discuss a payment plan, please reach out to Ann, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, we thank our members for your continued support of ABLE BC. As the only association fighting for BC’s private liquor stores (LRSs), pubs, bars, nightclubs, and other Liquor Primaries (LPs), your continued support is vital to our advocacy on your behalf.

Put simply, ABLE BC would not exist without your membership dues.

In addition to supporting our ongoing advocacy work, your ABLE BC membership gives you access to exclusive benefits and discounts. By using our benefit programs, you can more than cover the cost of your annual membership fee. If you haven’t already, please browse the member portal for free resources available to you. We have due diligence templates and signage, HR guidance, FAQs on industry issues, and recordings of past webinars on topics like tipping, decriminalized drugs, and acing a liquor inspection. You can also connect with our benefit providers and associate members to access a wide range of products and services at a discount.

Looking for more ways to support our advocacy work? You can donate to our advocacy fund at any time! Donating to this fund gives us the resources we need to seek legal counsel, pressure government through media campaigns, and provide additional resources to our members for free.

Unionization in Liquor Retail

In June 2022, Bill 10 became law, allowing for single-step certification of unions where the union can demonstrate the support of 55% or more of the bargaining unit. This single-step process makes it easier for unions to become certified, and we are now seeing an increase in unionization in liquor stores across BC.

We understand the significant impact this may have on your business and that you may be looking for guidance on how best to talk to your staff about unionizing. We recommend you reach out legal experts Ryan Anderson and Mark Bout from MathewsDinsdale.

Ryan Anderson

Mark Bout

Ryan and Mark presented a webinar for ABLE BC members last year on understanding Bill 10. The recording and presentation slides are available in the video library of the member portal. We encourage ABLE BC members to log in to view the recording today. Not a member? You can join ABLE BC now to gain access to this webinar and more. 

Click here for more information on Bill 10 and the union certification process.

 TFW Recognized Employer Pilot Program

Earlier this week, the federal government launched a three-year pilot project to address labour shortages and cut red-tape for employers who have historically complied with the requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program.

The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) will ease the administrative burden and simplify the hiring process for repeat TFW employers.

To participate in the REP, employers must have a minimum of three positive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) for the same occupation over the past five years from a list of occupations that have been designated as in-shortage and supported using Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) data.
Employers who become recognized will gain access to LMIA validity periods of up to 36 months, and, if required, simplified LMIA applications to hire additional workers in the future.
REP will be rolled out in two stages:

  • Stage one begins in September 2023, when employers in the Primary Agriculture stream will be able to apply in time for the 2024 season.

  • Stage two begins in January 2024 and opens intake to all other industry sectors.

Applications for both streams will be accepted until September 2024.

Click here for more information.

Savings for Pubs, Bars, and Nightclubs with Release of WorkSafeBC’s 2024 Preliminary Insurance Rates

WorkSafeBC has announced the preliminary insurance base rates for 2024. These base rates impact the annual insurance premiums that all tourism and hospitality businesses in BC are required to pay.

Good news for pubs, bars, and nightclubs! These business types are set to benefit from decreased base rates in 2024, leading to significant cost savings. The base rate is dropping from 94 cents to 89 cents on every $100 of assessable payroll, which represents a saving of 5.3%.

Keep in mind that the 2024 base rates are preliminary, with final confirmation and communication to individual employers scheduled for November.

Base rates are influenced by various factors, including injury rates and return-to-work performance. The key to unlocking potential savings lies in your experience rating, which considers your individual claims-cost history. By proactively improving health and safety practices and effectively managing claims and return-to-work procedures, you can secure discounts that go beyond the industry base rate, leading to discounts of up to 50% over time. On the flip side, a reactive approach to health and safety and poor claims and injury management practices means that some employers will be paying more than the industry base rate, incurring surcharges of up to 100% more than the base rate amount.

Click here for more information from WorkSafeBC.

Click here to register for a WorkSafeBC Rate Information Session.

go2HR has recently launched a dedicated page for pubs, bars, and nightclubs, with curated content on all things workplace health and safety related: https://www.go2hr.ca/health-safety/pubs-bars-nightclubs

Ready to take control of your insurance costs, save money, and foster a safer workplace? Reach out to go2HR's health and safety team for expert guidance by calling 604-633-9787 or emailing safety@go2hr.ca.

go2HR is the human resources and health & safety association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry. go2HR exists to drive strong workforces and safe workplaces that deliver world-class tourism and hospitality experiences in BC.

Le Devoir Op-Eds on The Proof Campaign and CCSA Report

As you know, BC Cancer and the BC Ministry of Health recently launched a public campaign, The Proof, aiming to educate consumers about the links between alcohol consumption and cancer. Frustratingly, this campaign uses controversial recommendations from a recent report by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health.

Researchers are critical of the CCSA's report for several reasons, including conflicts of interest, generalizations about occasional drinkers, and the ignoring of overall health benefits of having a drink with friends. Le Devoir has recently published two articles outlining issues with the CCSA report.

Click here to read Le Devoir’s Authors of alarming alcohol study have ties to pro-abstinence group.

Click here to read Le Devoir’s Is the Canadian Alcohol Study “pseudoscientific”?

ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard has spoken with media about this several times this year:

Provincial Government Seeking Feedback: App-Based Ride-Hail & Food-Delivery Work

 The provincial government sought feedback from workers and employers in fall 2022 to determine if certain gig work should be covered by the Employment Standards Act. The feedback received has been compiled into a What We Heard report.

Last week, the Ministry of Labour released a discussion paper, Proposing Employment Standards and Other Protections for App-Based Ride-Hail and Food-Delivery Workers in British Columbia.

The discussion paper outlines the priority concerns heard during the initial engagement and provides the context for considering appropriate employment standards and other protections for the sector.

This paper offers discussion questions for the following issues:

  1. Fair compensation standards

  2. Pay and destination transparency

  3. Account suspensions, deactivations, and terminations

  4. Workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety coverage

The Ministry is seeking proposals, feedback, and perspectives on these discussion questions and issues posed in the Proposing Employment Standards and Other Protections for App-Based Ride-Hail and Food-Delivery Workers in British Columbia discussion paper.

Feedback on these issues will inform the basis of a new round of engagement considering potential standards and protections for these workers.

Please email your feedback to precariousworkstrategy@gov.bc.ca by September 30, 2023.

As ABLE BC will also be offering feedback on the report, if you have any questions or comments about this issue please contact Jeff at jeff@ablebc.ca. 

Protect your Business from Fraud – 10 Tips from Global Payments

Fraud and cybercrime are growing threats to Canadian business owners, accounting for $530 million in losses in 2023.

Here are 10 tips from Global Payments to help protect your business: 

  1. Start with the right POS – one with security built in

  2. Restrict user access on POS devices

  3. Don’t leave POS devices unattended

  4. Use strong passwords – and change them often

  5. Don’t skip software updates

  6. Upgrade your POS devices regularly

  7. Use strong card authentication protocols

  8. Stay alert – review your statements frequently

  9. Keep your return policy simple

  10. Educate your team

Contact Global Payments for more tips and tricks to prevent fraud.

Click here for more information

Restaurants Canada Q2 Outlook Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who filled out Restaurants Canada’s Q2 Outlook Survey, shared last month. The extra responses from BC hospitality industry members helped built out BC-specific data that can be compared to the Canadian average and Ontario.

Restaurants Canada is working on a summary Q2 Outlook survey report, similar to the Q1 Outlook survey report currently available.

Here are a few highlights from the Q2 survey:

  • 80% of BC respondents reported lower profitability in April-June 2023 compared to the same period in 2019.

  • 45% of BC respondents reported they are operating at a loss or breaking even.

  • 56% of BC respondents reported they are still in debt due to the pandemic.

  • Of the respondents who are in debt, 88% have an outstanding CEBA loan and 76% require an extension of loan repayment.

  • Perhaps most concerning, 43% of BC respondents reported that their business will not recover if current conditions continue.

ABLE BC’s Guide to Low-Risk Drinking – free pdf download!

ABLE BC has created free resources to help your business encourage responsible drinking habits. Visit our online store or log in to the member portal to download a free pdf brochure on low-risk drinking.

We encourage you to make this brochure available to both staff and patrons. Please contact Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca if you have questions.

Read the Fall 2023 Issue of The Quarterly Pour!

Featured articles in this issue:

Download the full issue here

Cannabis Corner with Nick Landells

This week, our Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells, prepared ABLE’s comments to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch’s (LCRB) Engagement Paper on changes to regulations for promoting cannabis consumption. Many thanks to the members who completed our Cannabis Survey and Consumption Space survey. These responses shaped our comments to reflect industry’s view on the proposed changes.

 Many of our members run both liquor and cannabis stores. We’re offering a discounted membership fee to all ABLE members who sign up as cannabis members by the end of August. Enter the code “ABLECAN1” to receive $100 off the cannabis membership for your first store and “ABLECAN2” to receive $50 off each of your additional stores.

Click here to join today!

Out and About with ABLE BC!

The ABLE BC team has been extra busy recently as renewal season is in full swing! If you have questions about your ABLE membership, how to renew, or if you’d like to set up a payment plan, please conact Ann for help. You can reach Ann at ann@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560 ex 1.

With the end of summer fast approaching, we’re looking forward to the fall conference season! We are busy planning the annual SPARK conference with our partners at the BC Hotel Association. This year’s event is sure to be a hit, with two full days of inspiring and informative speakers and lots of networking among industry professionals.

Tickets go on sale soon! Will we see you there?

In case you missed it, ABLE BC has been in the news recently:

BCHF Victoria Golf Tournament, August 23, 2023

The BC Hospitality Foundation’s Victoria Golf Tournament returns to Olympic View Golf Club for a 9th year on August 23! 

The BCHF is seeking experienced and aspiring golfers to come out and help raise money for the important work the foundation does with medical relief funding and for industry scholarships.

The shotgun start is 1:00 pm on August 23rd. On course, you'll find plenty of food and beverage sampling. Whether you join as a single golfer or in a foursome, you are helping industry colleagues in their time of need when facing a financial crisis due to a medical condition – or when they are seeking to advance themselves through seeking out more education. 

After golf, you are invited to join us for a standing reception, silent auction, and buffet dinner. Sign up for a fun day of golf and camaraderie and raise much needed funds that make a difference. 

Wednesday, August 23
Olympic View Golf Club - 643 Latoria Road

11:30 am | Registration begins

1:00 pm | Shotgun Start

Buy your tickets here! 

More info about the foundation here.

Ann Brydle