Liquor Industry Update: February 22, 2024
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
- Acceptable Forms of Identification
- Cannabis Consumption on Patios
- Call for LRS Buyers to Join the LRS Policy Committee
- The Spring 2024 Issue of The Quarterly Pour is Out Now!
- The 2024 Buyers’ Guide is Out Now!
- Cannabis Corner: Help Support our Advocacy Efforts
- Save up to 25% on Payment Processing Rates with Global Payments
- go2HR on Tap: January 2024 Labour Market Information
- Celebrating 20 Years of ABLE BC!
- Out and About with ABLE BC
- Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Click here to read past Liquor Industry Updates
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Acceptable Forms of Identification
ABLE BC members have recently reported conflicting advice regarding what is an acceptable form of identification.
As a reminder, the terms and conditions of your licence require you and your employees to verify whether a customer is 19 or older by asking for two pieces of ID, and acting on the authenticity of the ID.
Primary ID, for example a driver’s licence, must be government-issued and include the person’s name, date of birth, and picture. A photo of primary ID is not acceptable. You cannot assess the authenticity of ID based on a photo.
Secondary ID, for example a credit card or interim driver’s licence, must include the holder’s name and either a signature OR picture. A photo of secondary ID is not acceptable.
For more information on acceptable forms of ID, please review the terms and conditions for your licence or the Serving It Right course.
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Cannabis Consumption on Patios
ABLE BC was delighted to see last week’s announcement from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) about changes to the Cannabis Control Regulation.
Cannabis retail licensees are now permitted to promote cannabis consumption spaces located outside their store, and smoking or vaping cannabis is now permitted on public patios, where smoking and vaping tobacco is already allowed.
ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard says “This is great news for BC’s cannabis, hospitality, and tourism industries and we’re immensely grateful to our government partners for their support.” He notes that aligning cannabis consumption rules with tobacco “just makes sense. It gives businesses much-needed flexibility to serve their cannabis-friendly customers.”
If you plan to allow customers to smoke or vape cannabis on your pub, bar, or restaurant patio, we encourage you to review your municipality’s bylaws on smoking and vaping tobacco. As always, remain vigilant about overservice and mindful that consumption of alcohol and cannabis may cause greater impairment or intoxication. Be sure to train your employees so they can comfortably monitor alcohol and cannabis consumption to avoid overservice and reduce a customers’ risk of harm on your patio or after they leave.
If you have any questions about cannabis consumption on patios or would like to explore collaborating with our cannabis retail members, please reach out to jeff@ablebc.ca or bo@ablebc.ca.
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Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter
Sign up for our cannabis newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for cannabis retailers.
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ABLE BC Advocacy
Visit our advocacy page to learn more about our policy priorities and how we work for you.
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BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health
The Canadian Mental Health Association has created a resource hub for employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges in the workplace.
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go2HR Resources
Visit the go2HR website for health & safety, HR, training, and mental health information and updates.
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Call for LRS Buyers to Join the LRS Policy Committee
ABLE BC’s LRS Policy Committee is seeking members who are actively involved in buying liquor products for chain or independent liquor stores. The LRS Policy Committee is exploring issues specific to product availability, distribution, and the LDB webstore. To help determine ABLE BC’s next steps, we need to hear directly from the people who are placing and receiving orders on a regular basis.
If you are an ABLE LRS member actively involved in buying and are interested in joining, please contact ann@ablebc.ca for more information.
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Featured articles in this issue:
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The 2024 Buyers' Guide is Out Now!
We are pleased to introduce ABLE BC's 2024 Buyers' Guide, featuring our list of preferred industry suppliers.
We encourage you to support the small businesses in your community. The companies listed in our annual Buyers' Guide are trusted leaders in our industry.
They know exactly how to cater to your specific business needs. Whether you are looking for shelving, PPE and Plexiglass, POS systems, employee benefits, or more, we strongly encourage you to consider using their products and services.
Our preferred suppliers are also Associate Members of the Alliance. Associate Members support the advocacy work we do and are clearly invested in our industry's long-term success.
Download the 2024 Buyers’ Guide here.
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Cannabis Corner: Help Support Our Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy WIN! Did you know that cannabis consumption is now permitted on public patios where smoking and vaping tobacco is already allowed?
In addition, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) now allows licensees to promote cannabis consumption spaces. Our cannabis retail members can now promote outdoor consumption spaces, where municipal bylaws allow for smoking tobacco.
This is a welcome first step in addressing stigma and will improve social acceptability of cannabis use. This change is just the beginning in building a business-friendly policy framework for our cannabis members. ABLE BC looks forward to collaborating further with government to ensure financial viability for private cannabis retailers in BC.
ABLE BC meets regularly with officials at the LDB, LCRB, and all levels of government to advocate on behalf of our cannabis members. Want to get involved in our cannabis advocacy? Contact our Head of Cannabis Membership Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca to get involved.
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Save up to 25% on Payment Processing Rates with Global Payments
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Global Payments is pleased to offer ABLE BC members the expertise and payments solutions they need along with highly competitive preferred pricing.
Connect with Global Payments today for a free consultation and to see how you can save up to 25%! Offer valid through May 31, 2024.
Click here for more information
Contact Pam Carleton at 604-551-0994 or pamela.carleton@globalpay.com.
With Global Payments, ABLE BC members benefit from:
- Streamlined payments: Acceptance for all major debit and credit payment types, including digital wallets.
- Robust suite of payment solutions: Includes the latest smart and virtual terminals to offer you a choice of next-generation countertop, wireless, and online payment acceptance.
- Fast access to funds: Deposited to your bank account as early as the next business day.
- Comprehensive industry-leading support: When you need it—24/7/365.
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go2HR on Tap: January 2024 Labour Market Information
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.
Employment in BC's Tourism and Hospitality sector decreased by 3.7% in January 2024 compared to the previous month, totalling 331,500 jobs, indicating ongoing challenges post-COVID-19. While some regions of the province experienced slight increases, overall employment in January 2024 remained lower than pre-pandemic levels, with 15,250 fewer jobs than in January 2019. Despite efforts to recover, leading occupations still show lower employment rates compared to pre-COVID levels.
Here are a few key highlights:
Employment Trends:
Overall, employment in BC's Tourism and Hospitality sector decreased by 3.7% in January 2024 compared to December 2023, with a total of 331,500 jobs.
Regional Dynamics:
Despite some regional variations, most regions experienced a decline in employment, with only the Cariboo, Northern BC, and Thompson Okanagan regions seeing increases month over month.
Unemployment Rates:
The unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in January 2024, surpassing pre-COVID levels, with variations among sectors and regions.
Interested in learning more? Visit go2HR's Employment Tracker , updated monthly, to provide the most current tourism and hospitality industry data.
go2HR , the HR and health and safety association for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has a wealth of free resources to support you. We invite you to connect with us to learn more about how you can support your employees at hr@go2HR.ca.
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Celebrating 20 Years of ABLE BC!
Our members, colleagues, and friends have been writing in with stories of their history with ABLE BC from the past 20 years. We love hearing about the many ways that ABLE BC’s work has impacted businesses in BC’s private liquor industry, so keep writing it!
Many of you will be familiar with Kim Barton, owner of BWI Business World, a wholesaler specializing in retail and hospitality products like shelf tags, gift bags, reusable shopping bags, and more.
Kim started her company just a few short years before the Neighbourhood Pub Owners’ Association became BC Alliance of Beverage Licensees, and she has been a valued associate member since day one. She’s seen first-hand how ABLE BC’s advocacy work has supported our industry through periods of change, growth, struggle, and success.
Kim started BWI selling cash register rolls to nearly every pub across BC. Her first customers were the first members of ABLE BC – pubs like Fox n’ Hounds and liquor stores like Berezan. The founding members of ABLE have not only been her loyal customers for the past two decades but have become her close friends.
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When pubs were allowed to open cold beer and wine store, she was well positioned to service the stores with custom shelf tags, shopping bags, and POS supplies created specifically for their businesses. Kim has personally installed shelving and POS supplies in nearly every LRS in BC! When private cannabis stores were allowed, she saw an opportunity to serve another industry and founded ZipMaster Supply Co, a wholesaler specializing in supplies unique to cannabis retail, and another ABLE BC associate member.
Thank you, Kim, for your continued support of ABLE BC!
Do you have a story to share about your own history with ABLE BC? Get in touch with ann@ablebc.ca.
And stay tuned for an anniversary party announcement!
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Out and About with ABLE BC
The ABLE BC team has been busy planning out events and project for the year. We are getting close to announcing liquor industry meetings in the Okanagan this April and our 20 year anniversary party in late spring! Make sure to sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn to stay in-the-know about all our upcoming events. Interested in hosting a liquor industry meeting in your community? Reach out to ann@ablebc.ca!
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ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard appeared in the following media recently:
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Check out these upcoming events:
- Vancouver International Wine Festival Trade Days, Vancouver, February 29-March 1
- Vancouver Cocktail Week, Vancouver, March 3-10
- BC Tourism Industry Conference, Victoria, March 6-7
- RC Show, Toronto, April 8-10
- BCHA Summit, Whistler, May 1-2
Click here for full event details.
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Join ABLE BC Today!
ABLE BC is the leading liquor advocacy organization in the province. We have a proven track record of success fighting for the interests of Liquor Primary and Licensee Retail Store businesses. We are dedicated to helping our industry come out of the pandemic stronger than ever!
We can’t do our work without the support of our members. ABLE is a non-profit organization and we depend on membership fees to continue to lobby and fight for your needs.
ABLE BC members have access to several benefit programs that offer exclusive discounts and are designed to help your business thrive. In addition to our benefit programs, we offer expert advice, regular webinars, the annual Liquor Industry Conference, and many networking opportunities.
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Copyright © 2024
BC's Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC)
200 - 948 Howe Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1N9 Canada
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