Liquor Industry Update: June 15, 2023
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
ABLE BC and BTAP Response to BC Cancer Agency Campaign: The Proof
Introducing ABLE BC’s Head of Cannabis Membership
ABLE BC Member Webinar: How to Ace your Liquor Inspection
ABLE BC Liquor Industry Meetings in the Okanagan & Kootenays
Single Use Plastic Prohibition
Highway 4 Closure
Granville Street Planning Project
BCHF Vancouver Golf Tournament, July 17, 2023
BCHF Victoria Golf Tournament, August 23, 2023
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinar
Out and About with ABLE BC!
Find all past updates here.
ABLE BC and BTAP Response to BC Cancer Agency Campaign: The Proof
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.
ABLE BC and industy collegues from the government-appointed Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP) have serious concerns about the CCSA’s report and recommendations. While we of course believe Canadians should be empowered to make responsible choices about alcohol consumption, in our view The Proof campaign—and the CCSA’s report—misrepresents several key facts.
Please click here to see the letter BTAP sent to government highlighting our concerns.
Our industry colleague, Mark Hicken, has shared his thoughts in an op-ed for The Daily Hive. We encourage you to share this article with your networks.
ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard has spoken with media about this several times this year:
CTV Vancouver: We are seeing a paradigm shift: New report highlights health concerns linked to alcohol
CTV Vancouver Island: New alcohol guidelines suggest fewer weekly drinks
We will provide further updates as they are available.
Click here to read the letter to government and here for Mark Hicken’s op-ed.
Introducing ABLE BC’s Head of Cannabis Membership
We are pleased to announce that ABLE BC is expanding advocacy efforts and success to private cannabis retailers. With a new position, Head of Cannabis Membership, our cannabis retailer members will now have a dedicated point of contact and soon a new membership category.
It is with great pleasure that we announce Nick Landells as Head of Cannabis Membership. Nick has 15 years of experience as a liquor licensing and compliance lawyer in the UK. Since relocating to BC, he has been Manager of Legal Services for A&W Restaurants and the Head of Licensing & Compliance for a local cannabis retail chain. Nick brings a detailed knowledge of hospitality and cannabis licensing and compliance issues to the ABLE team. He has already strong working relationships with cannabis regulators and stakeholders.
Book a one-on-one with Nick here
Sign up for the cannabis newsletter here
ABLE is collecting data to create an economic snapshot of the private cannabis retail industry. We will survey cannabis retailers annually to help our members develop benchmarks for their businesses.
Please help us by completing our first-ever cannabis benchmark survey. Results will remain anonymous and will be shared with cannabis retail members free of charge.
Fill out the cannabis benchmark survey
ABLE BC Liquor Industry Meetings in the Okanagan
ABLE BC's Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, will be hitting the road this month for our second leg of member meetings! Join us for a liquor industry meeting in your community throughout the summer and meet with ABLE members and industry colleagues.
Join Jeff at any of our liquor industry meetings and ask your questions:
Have you had issues placing or receiving orders from LDB?
Have you read the Terms and Conditions handbook for your license type?
Do you have questions about excise tax or risks associated with decriminalized drugs?
Do you have concerns about your liquor license?
Have you had a visit from a liquor inspector recently?
Do you want to learn more about ABLE BC and how we work?
Are you aware of the current benefit programs available from ABLE BC?
Jeff will be travelling through the Interior of BC to meet with industry members, answer your questions, and hear your concerns. These meetings are a great way to learn more about ABLE BC and network with your industry colleagues.
All attendees will get access to exclusive sign-up pricing only available at a liquor industry meeting.
Osoyoos Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 20th
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Watermark Beach Resort - Vineyard Room
Nelson Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Wednesday, June 21st
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Adventure Hotel
Cranbrook Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 22nd
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: The Heid Out
Fernie Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 22nd
Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: The Fernie Taphouse
Invermere Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Friday, June 23rd
Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Venue: The Station Pub
Revelstoke Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Monday, June 26th
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Regent Hotel
Kamloops Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 27th
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: The Commodore
Vernon Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 27th
Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: The Kal
Kelowna Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Wednesday, June 28th
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Train Station Pub
Penticton Liquor Industry Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 29th
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Penticton Lakeside Resort
Please RSVP using the links above or email admin@ablebc.ca.
Single Use Plastic Prohibition
As part of a comprehensive plan to address pollution, meet the target of zero plastic waste by 2030, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the federal government has introduced a single-use plastics prohibition regulation.
On June 20, 2023, the manufacture and import for sale of plastic ring carriers will be prohibited.
This upcoming prohibition is the second wave of the single-use plastic prohibition regulation, coming after the manufacture and import for sale ban of plastic checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, and straws in December 2022.
The full regulation timeline is detailed below:
This upcoming ban will not have an immediate impact on liquor retailers in BC. You will have until June 20, 2024 to deplete existing stock of plastic ring carriers. However, we encourage you to explore alternatives to plastic ring-carriers now. The regulation offers this guidance:
Single-use plastic ring carriers are unique among the list of banned single-use plastic items because they are often applied to products before arriving at retail locations. Alternative products can already be found on the Canadian market, and include cardboard boxes, rigid plastic snap-on carriers or fiber-based carriers, or adhesives that hold beverage containers together. When choosing an alternative to single-use plastic, businesses should try to avoid value recovery problematic options, like plastic film, as these can be difficult to recycle.
In Canada, the E6PRTM (Eco Six Pack Ring) is made of a non-plastic natural fiber and is available to provide the same function as single-use plastic ring carriers.
Another alternative for the plastic ring carrier is the CanCollar®, a durable, paperboard-based multipack solution for cans.
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.
If you have questions about the single-use plastic prohibition, please send them to admin@ablebc.ca.
Highway 4 Closure
Due to a wildfire, Highway 4 remains closed at Cameron Lake Bluffs affecting deliveries to ABLE members in Tofino and Ucluelet. A detour is in place for commercial vehicles and the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) will contact affected customers with updates about delivery windows.
On Tuesday this week, the provincial government announced plans to re-open Highway 4 as early as the weekend of June 24-25, 2023. We will provide further information as it is available.
Earlier this week, the LDB shared this update regarding possible delivery delays due to wildfires and highway closures:
Due to the early start of an anticipated active wildfire season, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) would like to proactively advise our customers that there is a possibility of temporary service disruptions that could result in delayed deliveries.
We have been and will continue to make considerable efforts to work with our freight carriers to maintain regular service levels. The Wholesale Customer Centre (WCC) will contact customers directly if your shipment will be impacted.
Information on wildfire news and conditions is available on the Emergency Info BC website at: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
If you have questions, please contact WCC at wholesalehelp@bcldb.com.
Granville Street Planning Project
Throughout the month of June, the City of Vancouver is seeking ideas and feedback to help shape the future of the Granville Entertainment district (GED).
The City of Vancouver wants to hear from the people who work, live, and play in the area. There are several ways to get involved:
Complete a 10-minute survey (available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese).
Use the mapping tool to identify arts, culture and heritage places, experiences, and stories that make this area special.
Register for an in-person walking tour.
Attend the Granville Street Block Party on August 26 & 27
Public engagement will develop ways to improve and evolve the GED, known for its neon signs, a hub for the arts, music, live performances, retail, office space, hotels, theatres, nightclubs, and dining establishments.
Click here to learn more.
BCHF Vancouver Golf Tournament, July 17, 2023
The BC Hospitality Foundation ’s Vancouver Golf Tournament returns to Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club for a 13th year on July 17!
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.
Monday, July 17
Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club – 3251 Plateau Boulevard, Coquitlam
10:30 am | Registration begins
11:30 am | Shotgun Start
Interested in sponsoring the tournament or donating to the silent auction? Reach out to samantha@sasparilla.ca for more information.
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.
Wednesday, August 23
Olympic View Golf Club - 643 Latoria Road
11:30 am | Registration begins
1:00 pm | Shotgun Start
Interested in sponsoring the tournament or donating to the silent auction? Reach out to samantha@sasparilla.ca for more information.
Out and About with ABLE BC!
As announced earlier this week and above, we are excited to welcome Nick Landells, Head of Cannabis Membership, to the ABLE BC team! Nick is an excellent addition to our team and he will be the main contact for cannabis members. You can reach at nick@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560 ex 2. He has been hard at work on cannabis issues and structuring the benefits and memberships soon to be available to cannabis retailers.
Our Executive Director will be on the road later this month to meet with members and industry professionals throughout the Okanagan and Kootenays. Scroll up for more information on those meetings.
In case you missed it, ABLE BC has been in the news recently:
June 13 Global News: The impact of wildfires on alcohol deliveries and the supply chain