Liquor Industry Update: July 13, 2023

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • ABLE BC Benchmark Survey Results Available Now!

  • BC Port Strike Ends!

  • Shoplifting in Liquor Retail FAQ

  • Licensee Requirements for Advertising Liquor

  • Renewal Season is Here!

  • Mark Hicken Op-Ed on ‘The Proof’ Campaign and CCSA Report

  • Preventing Heat Stress at Work

  • LCRB Bulletin 23-06: Outdoor Sampling Areas for Manufacturers

  • Restaurants Canada Webinar: Decoding Canada’s Plastic Regulations for Foodservice Businesses

  • Cannabis Corner with Nick Landells

  • Out and About with ABLE BC!

ABLE BC Benchmark Survey Results Available Now!

Thank you to everyone who completed ABLE BC's benchmark surveys! Your feedback is crucial to our understanding of the state of the industry and helps us advocate for your needs and ensure the financial health and recovery of private liquor businesses.

We are pleased to share the full results of these surveys with members now! 

ABLE BC members can access the full report for free in the   member portal. All non-members who participated in the surveys will be sent a copy for free as a thank-you for your participation.

Not a member of ABLE BC and missed out on contributing to the survey? The report is now available for purchase in our online store for $25.00. 

Interested in signing up with ABLE BC to view the report for free and gain access to our full suite of benefits and resources? Sign up today or contact Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication at ann@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560.

BC Port Strike Ends!

We are please to share today that the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) and BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) have reached a tentative four-year deal, ending the 13-day strike at BC ports. Work at the ports will resume shortly. 

In a statement released today, the BCMEA says they are "committed to working closely with ILWU Canada and their Locals and supply chain partners to safely resume operations as soon as possible. " 

Click here to see ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard discuss the strike's impact to industry with CTV News.

 

Shoplifting in Liquor Retail FAQ

Private liquor store owners across BC are reporting a concerning rise in shoplifting. Shoplifting not only means financial loss for your business, but also poses significant safety risks to your staff and customers.

Preventing theft is challenging and complicated, so must be handled carefully to avoid liability risks. We’ve put together this FAQ to help you better understand best practices for preventing and handling theft.

ABLE BC members can access this resource, and more, in the member portal. Simply log in to gain access to a wide range of free resources, templates, signage, webinar recordings, and more!

Licensee Requirements for Advertising Liquor

Liquor product advertisements in both hospitality and retail businesses must comply with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) Code for Broadcast Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages.

The terms and conditions handbooks for LP and FP businesses state that you may advertise:

  • What kind of liquor you offer

  • How much you charge for liquor (your liquor prices, including happy hour or daily specials)

  • Your hours of sale

  • Any entertainment or food featured at your establishment

While you are not required to include the size of a liquor product in your advertising, we recommend that you do. You must ensure that all advertised prices and sizes match your price list. 

The terms and conditions handbooks for LP and FP businesses state that a price list shows:

  • The types of liquor you sell

  • The size of each drink (in fluid ounces or millilitres)

  • The price, including any drink specials you are currently offering

You do not have to include a complete list of all available mixed drinks, as long as you clearly list the price and the amount of liquor (for example, “mixed drinks contain 1 oz of liquor, and cost ‘x’ for bar brands and ‘y’ for premium”).

 You must also comply with the minimum pricing specified in the terms and conditions of your licence. Here is the minimum price table for LP and FP businesses:

Renewal Season is Here!

ABLE BC memberships expire on August 31, 2023. Members can renew by logging in the member portal and following the renewal instructions posted on the dashboard. 

If you have questions about your renewal, don't know how to login to the member portal, or would like to discuss a payment plan, please reach out to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560.

ABLE BC is the only association fighting for BC’s private liquor industry, and we will continue the fight every day. We are only able to do this work because of the support of our members. Put simply, ABLE BC does not exist without your membership dues and your support is critical to our industry’s success.

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.

Mark Hicken Op-Ed on 'The Proof' Campaign and CCSA Report

As you know, BC Cancer and the 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.

Our industry colleague, Mark Hicken, has shared an op-ed in The Hill Timesoutlining serious concerns about the CCSA report. You can also read Mark’s previous ope-id in the Daily Hive here. We encourage you to share these articles with your networks.

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

Preventing Heat Stress at Work

Last year, WorkSafeBC accepted 81 workers’ claims related to heat stress. Workers in industries like hospitality, farming, and construction are at particular risk of heat-related illness.

To prevent heat-stress injuries, WorkSafeBC requires employers to conduct a heat stress assessment. Once done, employers must develop a heat stress exposure control plan. The plan should include training and safe work procedures.

WorkSafeBC encourages employers to engage their workers and health and safety committees in discussions to identify hazards related to heat and sun exposure and determine how to eliminate or reduce the risks.

Click here to access the updated Preventing Heat Stress at Work booklet

 

LCRB Bulletin 23-06: Sampling Areas for Manufacturers

On June 29, 2023, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) published Bulletin 23-06 for manufacturers. This bulletin amends section 71 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation (LCLR) to allow manufacturers to apply to permanently license an outdoor sampling area.

Read the full bulletin here.

 

Restaurants Canada Webinar: Decoding Canada's Plastic Regulations for Foodservice Businesses

Earlier this week, Restaurants Canada hosted a webinar explaining the federal single-use plastics prohibition regulation. If you weren’t able to attend this webinar live, you can view the recording here.

Currently, the regulation has banned the manufacture and import of checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, some straws, and ring carriers. Businesses are allowed to deplete existing stock of these items for some time. 

The ban on the sale or use of checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, and some straws begins on December 20, 2023.

The ban on the sale or use of ring carriers begins on June 20, 2024.

ABLE BC is working with suppliers of eco-friendly ring carrier alternatives that we expect to be available near the end of this summer. We will provide further resources as they are available. 

Cannabis Corner with Nick Landells

ABLE BC’s new Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells, is keen to talk with liquor industry members who own cannabis retail businesses. He would like to hear your views on ABLE’s cannabis policy priorities, business challenges unique to cannabis retailers, and the outlook of BC’s private cannabis retail industry. 

Click here to book a one-on-one meeting with Nick

Click here to subscribe to our new Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter

Click here to view our new cannabis website

 

Out and About with ABLE BC!

Last week, we hosted the first meeting of ABLE BC's new cannabis policy committee! Committee members joined Executive Director Jeff Guignard and Head of Cannabis Membership Nick Landells on July 4 to get to know each other and discuss policy priorities. 

Yesterday, Jeff hopped over to Victoria for a meeting with government officials to discuss the Business Advisory Panel (BTAP). While in Victoria, Jeff and Ann, Manager of Membership and Communication, met for a working lunch at a member business, The Bard and Banker. We love getting out to visit our members and see their businesses thrive! 

We're looking forward to the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) Vancouver golf tournament next week! Make sure to say hello to the ABLE team on the course. We'll be stationed at hole 10 pouring tasting drinks and out on the course playing with our industry friends and colleagues. 

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

Ann Brydle