Liquor Industry Update: January 26, 2023

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

 

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

  • Canada’s New Drinking Guidelines

  • Introducing ABLE BC’s NEW Member Portal!

  • LDB Wholesale Customer Satisfaction Survey

  • LDB Inventory Count: February 9-12

  • BC Hospitality Foundation Scholarship Program

  • BC Hospitality Foundations Fundraising Lottery - Victoria

  • Vinica Education Society: Equity in Wine Leadership

  • Reminder: FoodSafe Level 1 Certificate Expires Every Five Years

  • Seeking Volunteers for ABLE BC Event Planning Committee

  • Out and About with ABLE BC! 

Find all past updates here.

Canada's New Drinking Guidelines

As you are likely aware, the new Health Canada-funded guidelines released by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) on January 17 recommend new safe drinking limits for Canadians. This is the first update to drinking guidelines in 11 years, and the changes are strict. The CCSA says that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume and that Canadians should have no more than two alcoholic drinks per week. This is a major shift from the previous guidelines of a maximum of 15 drinks for men and 10 drinks for women. 

As an industry, we support educating consumers and especially youth on the health risks associated with drinking. Educated consumers make responsible decisions, which is good for society at large and for the long-term sustainability of the liquor and hospitality industries. 

However, the CCSA report only looks at one factor: the health risks associated with drinking alcohol. The report does not consider mitigating behaviours like regular exercise, healthy eating, or avoiding smoking. It doesn’t consider the emotional, psychological, social, or economic benefits that liquor and hospitality businesses offer to consumers. 

We understand that members may be frustrated with these strict guidelines. We want to emphasize that regardless of the guidelines, consumers need to be informed so they can make responsible and healthy decisions that ultimately benefit your businesses. 

We want members to be aware that the CCSA report doesn’t account for: studies that show reduced heart disease associated with moderate red wine consumption, how alcohol contributes to our economy, how small businesses like pubs or wineries add value to communities, the nearly 200,000 British Columbians working in alcohol-related industries, and the cultural, artistic, and social benefits of those industries. 

Despite the new guidelines, consumers will continue to make choices that fit their lifestyles. For many, that includes reducing alcohol consumption. This is no surprise to us given the rise of the no and low alcohol trend, which you can read more about in the upcoming edition of The Quarterly Pour. For others, drinking habits will remain largely unchanged and will be complemented by healthy lifestyle choices that mitigate cancer and other health risks. 

The CCSA report also recommended placing warning labels on all alcohol products. As your industry representatives to government, ABLE BC will be recommending against imposing any new regulations on the production or sale of alcohol. As you know, the alcohol industry—from production to distribution to point of sale—is already highly regulated. Every liquor licensee in BC is required to display Alcohol Sense posters promoting responsible drinking habits, and every person serving liquor in BC—whether in a retail or hospitality setting—is required to be certified in Serving It Right. 

As an industry, we are already doing our part to keep consumers safe. Adding warning labels to alcohol products will do little to affect consumer habits. Consumers have typically already decided what and how much they will drink before picking up a bottle or ordering a pint. While education is necessary, warning labels are not. 

ABLE BC’s Board of Directors is currently examining our association’s ongoing response to this issue. If you have concerns or perspectives you’d like to, please contact Executive Director Jeff Guignard at jeff@ablebc.ca. 

Introducing ABLE BC's NEW Member Portal!

The ABLE BC team is excited to launch our brand new member management system and member portal on February 1, 2023!

We are now working with Member365 to bring you a more streamlined and accessible member experience.

What's New? 

Our member portal comes with several new and improved features for ABLE members. You will continue to see improvements and additions throughout the year, along with the same benefits and resources we have always provided.

With the new member portal, you can easily update your personal and business contact information, update your communication preferences, register for events, and connect with the ABLE community with our new member directory.

Benefits and resources are more accessible and you can view past webinar recordings at any time.

When it comes time to renew, you will receive automatic reminders and payment options and be able to view your invoices and receipts with the click of a button.

Signing up as a new member? Our online application forms have been updated and can now automatically prorate your membership fee based on your sign-up date.

What Happens Now?

If you are an ABLE member, you will receive a welcome email on February 1 directly from Member365 with your login credentials.

On February 1, take some time to browse around the portal and check to make sure your contact information is correct.

Questions? Reach out to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca.

Member Webinar

To help you get acquainted with the new member portal, we're hosting a member webinar on February 23. In this webinar, we'll give you a tour of the new portal, preview further improvements to come, and answer any questions you might have.

If you have questions or feedback about the member portal you want to see addressed in the webinar, please send these to ann@ablebc.ca.

Webinar details:

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023

Time: 10:00 am-11:00 am

Location: zoom

Register here

Haven't Renewed your ABLE Membership?

If you haven't renewed your ABLE membership, you will receive a welcome email with login credentials, but you won't be able to login and access our resources and benefits. If you'd like to renew to regain access, please reach out to ann@ablebc.ca.

LDB Wholesale Customer Satisfaction Survey

We are sharing the following message and survey from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB). Please complete the survey by 5:00 pm on February 3, 2023. 

This is an important survey that will inform decisions at LDB Wholesale Operations and we strongly encourage you to participate. Your feedback is essential in improving delivery and customer service experiences.

From LDB:

LDB Liquor Wholesale Operations is surveying customers to gather information on their experiences so that we can focus attention and resources on areas necessary to better meet their needs. 

This survey is designed to capture the performance of the LDB Wholesale Operations division over the past 12 months.  

Wholesale and hospitality customers will be receiving a memo encouraging them to provide their feedback via a link to the survey that will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Click here to take the survey or here for more information.

LDB Inventory Count: February 9-12

The LDB has asked that we share the following update with you.

The BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB) distribution centres in Delta and Kamloops will conduct a mandatory physical inventory count from Thursday, February 9 through Sunday, February 12, 2023. The distribution centres will not be filling orders during the inventory count.

The Wholesale Customer Centre will email impacted customers of any changes to their shipping schedule.

Thank you for your patience.

Hospitality Customers Serviced by BC Liquor Stores

Hospitality customers serviced by BC Liquor stores may continue to place orders during the inventory count but only product stocked in the store can be fulfilled until the count is completed. Products that are fulfilled directly from the distribution centres and third-party warehouse stocked product (NSWP) may be delayed.

Wholesale Customer Centre

Phone: 604-775-0681, toll free 1-888-775-0681

Email: wholesalehelp@bcldb.com

Hospitality Customers Serviced by WCC Victoria

Customers may place orders during the inventory count but only product stocked in the WCC Victoria can be fulfilled until the count is complete. Products that are fulfilled directly from the distribution centres and third-party warehouse stocked product (NSWP) may be delayed.

The Wholesale Customer Centre in Victoria will be open during regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm to assist you.

Wholesale Customer Centre Victoria

Phone: 250-356-2906

Email: wccvictoriainfo@bcldb.com

Hospitality Customers Serviced by WCC Vancouver

Customers may place orders during the inventory count but orders will not be processed until the count is completed. 

You will not receive Order Submission Reports from 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8 until operations resume on Monday, February 13, 2023. 

Returns will not be processed from February 6 – 12, inclusive. 

You may experience a delay in receiving third-party warehouse stocked product (NSWP). 

Please note your location’s order time or delivery day will not be impacted by the annual inventory count. We will also provide you with a final reminder of the inventory count on February 6. The Wholesale Customer Centre will be open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Wholesale Customer Centre

Phone: 604-775-0681, toll free 1-888-775-0681

Email: wholesalehelp@bcldb.com

BC Hospitality Foundation Scholarship Program

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for the scholarships it administers. The deadline for most scholarship submissions is March 31, 2023.

  • Two $1,000 Spirit Education Scholarships 

  • Up to five $1,000 Wine Professional scholarships 

  • Up to five $1,000 Culinary scholarships 

  • One $2,000 Chef Nik Lim Legacy Scholarship

  • One $1,500 Greg King Legacy Scholarship 

  • Up to two $1,000 Chef Valerie Soon Legacy Scholarship 

  • NEW One $1,000 Gia Pastion Scholarship 

  • One $2,000 Terry Threlfall Legacy Scholarship 

There are three scholarships open year-round dedicated exclusively to supporting members of underrepresented groups such as First Nations and members of the LGBTQ2+ community and family members of the industry workers. 

  • Two $1,000 Indigenous Hospitality Scholarship 

  • One $1,000 LGBTQ2+ Hospitality Scholarship 

  • One $1,000 Industry Scholarship for children of hospitality related industry workers 

Click here for more information on the BCHF scholarship program.

BC Hospitality Foundation Fundraising Lottery - Victoria

The Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria Lottery is a fundraising initiative in support of the BC Hospitality Foundation where funds go directly towards helping hospitality workers across BC when they are faced with extraordinary costs arising from a health condition to themselves or a family member. In addition, $1,000 will be awarded to a Greater Victoria hospitality and tourism student in November 2023.

There are 4 fabulous prizes to be won!

  • Prize 1 – Two nights at the Hotel Rialto 

  • Prize 2 – Two nights at the Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza 

  • Prize 3 – One night at the Inn at Laurel Point 

  • Prize 4 – One night at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort 

Ticket sales end February 5!

Get your tickets here.

Vinica Education Society: Equity in Wine Leadership

Vinica Education Society is offering the comprehensive training, mentorship, and internship program Equity in Wine Leadership to support aspiring BIPOC wine professionals to advance their careers. 

This nine week full-time training program is free for qualified participants. 

Funding was provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement and the Province of British Columbia. Additional support is also provided by Wine Growers BC, the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and the Vancouver Wine Festival.

Click here for more information and here to apply now.

Reminder: FoodSafe Level 1 Certificate Expires Every Five Years

FoodSafe Level 1 certificates in BC are valid for five years. If you renewed your certificate in 2018, it’s time to renew again.

You must take a Level 1 refresher online course prior to your certificate expiring and pass your exam with a grade of 80%.

FoodSafe Level 2 and MarketSafe certificates have no expiration date. 

Click here for more information on refreshing your FoodSafe certificate. 

Seeking Volunteers for ABLE BC Event Planning Committee

ABLE BC is planning several events in 2023 and we need your help!

If you are an ABLE member in good standing looking for ways to get involved and further support ABLE, then consider joining the ABLE BC event planning committee.

This committee will meet regularly to discuss event ideas and logistics for both virtual and in-person events. Committee members may be asked to assist with venue booking, vendor booking, circulating invitations, day-of setup, and post-event follow-up. 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication at ann@ablebc.ca.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars

  • Vancouver IVSA Buyers’ Tasting Salon January 31

  • BCHA Virtual Event: How to Welcome LGBT+ Travellers, February 15

  • 2023 Best Sommelier BC Competition, February 17

  • ABLE Member Webinar: ABLE BC’s New Member Portal, February 23

  • Victoria IVSA Buyers’ Tasting Salon February 28

  • BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference March 1-3

  • Vancouver Cocktail Week March 5-11

See our events page for more details.

Out and About with ABLE BC!

Jeff and Ann attended a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event earlier this week: State of the City with Ken Sim. Mayor Sim presented his plans for Vancouver in the coming years, stressing that the city is open for business and his council is ready to tackle challenges such as housing and labour. 

The ABLE BC Board of Directors had its first meeting of 2023 today! Jeff updated the board on several topics, including the liquor excise tax, Canada’s drinking guidelines, the decriminalization of certain drugs, and more. We will be providing more information on all of these topics in the coming weeks. We will also be sending out information for our Annual General Meeting – stay tuned!

Later this evening we are hosting one of our favourite events, the post-holiday reception! We’re excited to meet with members and celebrate a successful year and the close of another busy holiday season. If you’re in Vancouver today, join us at Steamworks Brewpub (375 Water st) from 5:00-7:00 pm for drinks, snacks, and fun.

In case you missed it, our Executive Director Jeff Guignard was in the news recently discussing the liquor excise tax, recent changes to Canada’s drinking guidelines, and the revitalization of the Granville entertainment district:

Ann Brydle