Liquor Industry Update: August 24th, 2023
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
A Message from ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard
Provincial State of Emergency & Travel Restrictions
2023 Membership Survey
LCRB Engagement: Liquor Store Temporary Relocation
LCRB Engagement: Proposed Regulatory Amendment for Prescribed ID
SPARK Registration Now Open
Introducing go2HR on Tap: HR Tips for Liquor and Cannabis Businesses
Don’t Forget – It’s Time to Renew your ABLE BC Membership
Introducing New ABLE BC Member Benefit Partner: SONA
Guidelines for Repacking Beer
Cannabis Corner with Nick Landells
Out and About with ABLE BC!
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Find all past updates here.
A Message from ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard
Like many of you, I spent the weekend watching devastating stories of wildfires threatening communities, homes, and businesses across British Columbia. It is utterly heart-wrenching to see so many of our neighbours and friends lose so much, and to know that thousands still don’t know if they’ll have a home when they return.
As Premier David Eby noted, “Our Province is facing the worst wildfire season in our history. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated and crews on the ground are battling to save people’s homes.”
While the provincial government has declared a State of Emergency and enacted travel restrictions, our own industry has stepped up with courage and kindness. Many of you are offering free meals for evacuees or firefighters, free temporary accommodation, and are spearheading donations to local relief funds. If the team at ABLE BC can support you in these efforts, please contact me directly at jeff@ablebc.ca.
In times of crisis, we all need to do our part. Wherever you live, you can help by avoiding non-essential travel through the effected communities, reducing water consumption, and donating funds to wildfire relief efforts such as these. Our partners at the BC Hotel Association have also provided advice to accommodators in the Thompson Okanagan region.
I know you are worried about your family, your community, your business, and your staff. We will offer further updates as they are available. In the meantime, here’s where you can find the most current information:
Monitor official information sources such as BC Wildfire Service and DriveBC.
Download and allow notifications from Alertable to receive the latest local alerts, such as road closures and evacuation information, straight to your mobile device.
Be prepared for changes/additions to evacuation alerts and orders.
Visit Destination BC's Know Before You Go for key updates on weather alerts, provincial restrictions, air travel, and more.
Provincial State of Emergency & Travel Restrictions
In response to the evolving wildfire crisis, the provincial government has announced a state of emergency and implemented travel restrictions.
Non-essential travel to—and use of temporary accommodations in—West Kelowna is restricted. Travel and accommodation restrictions in the rest of the South Okanagan have been lifted, though we encourage you to reconsider travel in these areas if you are able and to monitor weather, fire, and evacuation updates closely should you need to visit these areas. While there is no official travel restriction in Lake Country and the Shuswap, these communities have advised that now is not the time to visit.
Click here for more information.
Although the order does not impact travel in other regions, the province is asking everyone to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeast to ensure roadways are kept clear for emergency-response operations and further evacuations.
For up-to-date information and resources, please visit emergencyinfobc.ca and bcwildfire.ca regularly.
ABLE BC is deeply saddened by the effects of this year’s wildfire season, and we offer our condolences and support to all affected businesses and families. Please reach out to jeff@ablebc.ca if you are looking for resources.
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.
LCRB Engagement: Liquor Store Temporary Relocation
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is seeking feedback on temporary relocations for liquor retailers in BC, including Licensee Retail Stores (LRS), Wine Stores, and government liquor stores.
A liquor retailer cannot relocate permanently within a 1 km radius of another retailer, except in limited circumstances. The 1 km rule is a cornerstone policy priority for ABLE BC that we will fight to maintain in perpetuity. Since introduced, it has provided vital market stability and prevented densification. Many current LRS and BCL locations were approved before this rule came into effect.
Under current rules, if an LRS or BC Liquor Store is unable to operate at their licensed location due to significant renovations or redevelopment, the licensee can choose to:
Temporarily close the location until the location can resume operation (i.e., place the licence into “dormancy”); or,
Permanently relocate to an eligible new location.
There is currently no provision that allows a liquor retailer to temporarily relocate or that allows a licence to relate to more than one establishment.
While a policy allowing temporary relocation to accommodate renovations or renovictions has merit, it raises important considerations of eligibility, location requirements, and time limit.
Click here for more information.
To better inform our reply to government, we need your feedback. Please complete this survey by September 15, 2023.
If you would like to submit comments directly to the LCRB, please contact LCRB.Outreach@gov.bc.ca with the subject “temporary relocation consultation” by September 29, 2023. We would appreciate you copying jeff@ablebc.ca on your response.
You submission should include:
Full name of person submitting
Name of the business/organization and license number, if applicable
Municipality or regional district in which your store is located
Phone number, including area code, and reply email address
LCRB Engagement: Proposed Regulatory Amendment for Prescribed ID
Currently, anyone who purchases liquor or cannabis must show two pieces of identification (ID) if requested by the licensed establishment. The LCRB is considering an amendment to require one piece, instead of two, of prescribed ID to purchase liquor or cannabis. This is consistent with the requirement in all other provinces and territories as well as other provincial requirements, such as tobacco purchases.
If the proposed changes are approved by Cabinet, the Liquor Control Licensing Regulation and the Cannabis Licensing Regulation will be amended to require one piece of primary ID for liquor or cannabis purchases. Regardless of the number of pieces of ID prescribed, licensees and their employees are still required to take steps to confirm an individual’s age, which may include requesting a second piece of ID. Licensees can implement more restrictive ID policies, such as checking every patron’s ID.
Click here for more information.
Comments on the proposed amendment will be accepted until September 15, 2023.
To submit your comments, or if you have questions, please contact the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch at LCRB.Outreach@gov.bc.ca.
SPARK Registration Now Open!
Registration is officially open for SPARK: BC’s Hotel and Liquor Conference!
We have joined forces with the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) once again to bring together industry experts in hospitality, liquor retail, and accommodation.
Join us on October 16 & 17 at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster.
Bringing business excellence to BC, this two-day event offers an unparalleled opportunity for liquor and hospitality businesses across BC to network with like-minded professionals, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights from informative sessions and speakers.
Featuring keynote speakers:
André Hueston Mack, Maison Noir Wines
André Hueston Mack first gained notoriety when he was awarded Best Young Sommelier in America by the highly regarded Chaine des Rotisseurs. This recognition led to a job as sommelier at Thomas Keller’s world-renowned French Laundry, and later Head Sommelier at Keller’s Per Se in New York City. Winemaking had always been a dream, coming to fruition in 2007 when he founded Maison Noir Wine. Mack is a renaissance man as an author, graphic designer, business owner, and video host of the popular Bon Appetit series "World of Wine," and celebrity-guest series "Through the Grapevine," where he educates and interviews celebs over glasses of wine. Mack's mission is to make wine more accessible, and he's just getting started!
Theresa Ito, Blue Mountain Solutions
Theresa Ito is a passionate leader and coach. Having worked in hospitality internationally for over 30 years, she loves nothing better than being part of people’s growth. Theresa has successfully led teams in iconic brands including Fairmont Hotels, Le Meridien, Sandals Resorts, and Hilton International. A qualified certified facilitator for "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and an instructor at Royal Roads University, Theresa has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in developing engaged and dynamic teams.
Highlights from this year’s conference include:
Harnessing the Power of Automation: Chat GPT and the Hospitality Industry
Liquid Logistics: Exploring Operational Insights and Wholesale Trends with BC’s Liquor Distribution Branch
Surprisingly Simple Digital Media Marketing Lessons: What Separates the Best Hospitality Brands from the Rest
Industry Advocacy Update: Insights and Strategies for the Hospitality Sector
Hospitality Town Hall: Advocacy Across the Tourism & Hospitality Industry
Driving Profitability through Import Agent Relationships
Liquor Licensing Regulations: Best Practices for Compliance
Crafting Resilience: Navigating Crisis Communications in Hospitality and Liquor Businesses
How to Bring More BC Produce Product into your Hospitality Business
Embracing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation: Driving Success in the Hospitality Industry
Proven Strategies to Attract and Retain the Next Generation of Workers
Click here to secure your ticket now!
Introducing go2HR on Tap: HR Tips for Liquor and Cannabis Businesses
We are pleased to announce that go2HR will be a regular contributor to the ABLE BC Liquor Industry Update newsletter! You can expect to see a monthly article on current HR trends, new legislation, employee recruitment and retention tips, and more.
Missed an article? Check out the member portal for each edition of go2HR on Tap.
It’s that time again – another one of BC’s legislated statutory holidays is just around the corner. Monday, September 4th is Labour Day, a day off to rest and celebrate our workers. But for some, it is a day of work. For those who must work on a statutory holiday, there are a few rules around employees’ pay and eligibility requirements.
Not all employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay. Employees must be employed for at least 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday and have either:
Worked or earned wages for 15 of the 30 calendar days preceding the holiday; or
Worked under an averaging agreement at any time within the 30 calendar days preceding the holiday.
Eligible employees who are scheduled to work on a statutory holiday, regardless of whether the statutory holiday falls on the employee’s regularly scheduled day off, are entitled to a combination of:
one-and-one-half times their regular wage for the time worked up to 12 hours;
double their regular wage for any time worked over 12 hours; and
an average day’s pay.
Employees who do not meet the eligibility requirements and work on a statutory holiday are only entitled to their regular pay for that day. For more detailed information visit go2HR's resource on statutory holidays.
View Statutory Holidays in BC for a complete list of the specific dates in 2023 for each of the statutory holidays in BC.
Questions? Reach out to go2HR's HR Consultants for free advice at hr@go2HR.ca. go2HR is the Human Resources and Health and Safety Association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry.
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.
Introducing New ABLE BC Member Benefit Partner: SONA
ABLE BC is pleased to partner with SONA, a payments provider that is transparent, ethical, and reliable, and offers impeccable customer service and state-of-the-art technologies.
SONA means ‘happy’ in Gaelic and that’s the driving force behind everything they do. SONA's ambition is not to be the biggest payments systems provider but to be the most highly respected.
Since 2016, SONA has delivered pricing certainty, competitive rates, and high-quality service to an ever-growing base of happy customers, expanding operations across Canada and North America. Despite a game-changing policy of zero cancellation fees, SONA has one of the highest customer retention rates in the industry. And with unique arrangements with the world’s leading global payment processors, SONA can control fees and pricing while offering their unrivalled processing power, security, and equipment.
Exclusive Benefits for ABLE BC Members:
Application fee waived - an instant $250 savings!
Your rate guaranteed...forever! (no, really!)
No cancellation fees, but you won't ever want to leave.
Friendly, ongoing local support. No more 1-800 numbers.
SONA offers a wide range of business solutions:
Point of Sale Technology
E-Commerce
Mobile Digital Payments
Loyalty & Gift Cards
And more!
Questions? Contact Account Executive Andrea O'Leary
andrea.oleary@sonapay.ca | 604-723-5549
Guidelines for Repacking Beer
It is common practice for liquor stores to purchase beer in one size format, but then sell that beer in another size format, otherwise known as repacking beer. If you choose to repack beer in your liquor store, you must keep clear records in your liquor register.
We have created a new resource outlining the guidelines for repacking beer, available now in the member portal.
Click here to view the guidelines.
Cannabis Corner with Nick Landells
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is reviewing the number of licences that a cannabis retailer can hold. Current regulations limit retailers to a maximum of eight stores. Our Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells, is seeking your feedback before submitting comments to the LCRB.
If you would like speak with Nick about this, book a meeting or email nick@ablebc.ca by September 8, 2023.
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.
Out and About with ABLE BC!
This week, the ABLE BC team has been in Victoria for the BC Hospitality Foundation Golf Tournament at Olympic View Golf Course. It's no surprise that the tournament was a super fun day! We love getting out with our members and our community to support a wonderful charity. Thank you to the BCHF team for your hard work putting on a great event, and to the golfers and sponsors for supporting a much-needed industry resource!
