Liquor Industry Update: May 1, 2025

Message from the President, Farewell reception, ED transition...

Liquor Industry Update:

May 1, 2025

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry:

Message from ABLE BC President Yvan Charette
SAVE THE DATE! ABLE BC in Victoria - May 26
New From Bartier Bros
Minors as Agents Inspection Notifications
Support the BCHF - Hospitality with Heart June 2025
Partner with ABLE BC: New Associate Membership Tiers

What you'll find in every newsletter:

Ask an Expert: Temporary Duties, Permanent Protection: Documenting Short-Term Job Changes
Cannabis Corner: Upcoming Survey and Townhall
Out and About with ABLE BC
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars

PAST NEWSLETTERS

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

Leadership Transition and the Future of ABLE BC

A Message from Yvan Charette, President

Dear ABLE BC Members and Fellow Owner/Operators,

It is with great pleasure that I announce ABLE BC has officially entered a new era of industry representation. Our team has been working diligently to ensure a smooth and positive transition, all with the goal of providing the very best advocacy and support for you — our valued members.

I am pleased to share that members of the ABLE BC leadership team and I will be in Victoria on Monday, May 26. We will start the day by meeting with Minister Begg, followed by a series of meetings with other Ministers and MLAs.

Our primary focus will be raising awareness with government officials about the serious health and public safety concerns associated with the proposed introduction of liquor sales in convenience stores. We believe this proposal requires careful considerations, and protecting the integrity of our industry remains ABLE BC's top priority for BC's private liquor retailers.

For Liquor Primary operators, I am excited to announce we are planning a series of monthly educational seminars. These sessions will focus on cost control strategies and streamlining operations through the development of stronger internal systems — an essential step towards sustaining profitability and long-term success.

In addition, we will soon be convening an on-premise " Hot Stove" roundtable to hear directly from you about your top challenges. Your input will help guide our future advocacy efforts and ensure we are tackling the issues that matter most to you.

On the Cannabis front, I'm pleased to share that we are also advocating for BC's private cannabis retailers during our time in Victoria. Our Cannabis Committee continues its work in progressing towards viable provincial regulations that mirror the successful framework that ABLE BC has built on the liquor side.

In closing, please know that I am always available to you. You are welcome to call or text me directly at 778-995-4441 with any questions, concerns, or ideas. I am committed to ensuring that we remain responsive and proactive on all fronts.

Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our Directors for the extra time and energy you have dedicated to ABLE BC during this transition. We are also actively developing stronger mid- and long-term systems for the organization while addressing immediate priorities to strengthen our foundation.

Thank you all for your continued support. Together, we are building a stronger future for our industries.

Yvan Charette
President, ABLE BC
Owner, Hospitality Professional, Advocate

SAVE THE DATE!

ABLE BC in Victoria - May 26

Join the ABLE BC team for an evening with industry leaders from the region in both liquor & cannabis sectors. More details to be announced, make sure to RSVP early!

Date: Monday May 26
Venue & Time: TBA (Downtown Victoria)
Email jesse@ablebc.ca to RSVP!

RSVP HERE

New from Bartier Bros.: Pristine
Made in BC. Grown in Washington.

Following severe crop losses from the Okanagan freezes in December 2022 and January 2024, Bartier Bros. sourced premium fruit from Washington State to maintain production without compromising quality. After careful vineyard selection, Bartier Bros. launched Pristine this spring—a new line of seven wines that have vibrant fruit, freshness and balance that define the Pristine style.

Pristine wines are in Oliver, BC using grapes from the Horse Heaven Hills, Rattlesnake Hills, and Wahluke Slope AVAs in the Columbia Valley. Pristine wines offer consistency, freshness, and very friendly pricing—ideal for by-the-glass pours, seasonal features, and retail shelves.

Bartier Bros. has produced seven different wines (four whites, three rosés) under the Pristine label with all seven Pristine SKUs wholesaling for $13.42 per bottle (12 x 750ml bottles per case) and suggested retail of $17.99-$19.99.

2024 Pristine Wines:

Pristine White – Columbia Valley AVA | SKU 285630

Pristine Rosé – Columbia Valley AVA | SKU 243475

Pristine Sauvignon Blanc – McNary Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills AVA | SKU 285633

Pristine Riesling – Zillah Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills AVA | SKU 285622

Pristine Chardonnay – Soaring Eagle Vineyard, Wahluke Slope AVA | SKU 285625

Pristine Vin Gris – Zillah Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills AVA | SKU 285616

Pristine Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé – Columbia Valley AVA

For more info and to order please contact: wine@bartierbros.com

RESOURCES

People

Working Well

The CMHA BC and go2HR have created a resource for tourism and hospitality employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work.

LEARN MORE

Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter

Sign up for our Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for cannabis retailers. Click here to read past cannabis newsletters.

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ABLE BC

Member Portal

The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact jesse@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in.

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SUPPORT OUR ADVOCACY WORK -- JOIN ABLE BC TODAY!

Minors as Agents inspection notifications

We are pleased to share an important update from the LCRB.

The Minors as Agents Program (MAP) continues to play an important role in helping the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) monitor the responsible sale of liquor and cannabis at licensed establishments and government-operated stores.

To improve transparency, the LCRB will now automatically email licensees within 14 days after a MAP compliance check at their establishment to inform them that they passed. Only licensees who refuse service to a minor agent will receive these notifications as recognition of their diligence to serve responsibly.

Licensees who sell liquor or cannabis to a minor agent will be contacted by their LCRB inspector.

Please note that the email notification will not include specific details such as the date and time of the inspection or any information about the LCRB staff involved. This is to help maintain the integrity and credibility of the program.

As you know, checking identification (ID) is fundamental to responsible service and preventing liquor or cannabis sales to minors. This practice helps protect your establishment from potential penalties or enforcement action. We encourage you to have clear house policies for checking ID. For example, some businesses check the ID of every customer, while others check only those who appear under 30 years old. Learn more about preventing contraventions.

Find the Check ID decal and signs for:

If you have any questions about this program, contact LCRB.CandE.Admin@gov.bc.ca .

Support the BCHF: Hospitality With Heart

Launching this June, Hospitality With Heart is a new initiative inviting hospitality and tourism businesses to support the BCHF through a week- or month-long fundraising campaign.

Participating is easy—get involved by featuring a special menu item, donating a portion of sales from a glass or bottle, or contributing through a dollar-per-case program.

Learn more and explore how you can take part:
www.bchospitalityfoundation.com/hospitality-with-heart

Partner with ABLE BC: New Associate Membership Tiers

ABLE BC's Manager of Membership and Events, Jesse Sidhu, has re-vamped our associate membership offerings. The new tiers bring more value to suppliers and service providers of BC's liquor and cannabis industries, and amp up the benefits and perks available to ABLE BC liquor and cannabis licensee members.

ABLE BC Associates can now choose from one of three membership tiers that best fit their business needs and goals. To review your options and to see which membership would be best for you, please email Jesse Sidhu at jesse@ablebc.ca

LEARN MORE

Ask an Expert: SUPER HR

Temporary Duties, Permanent Protection: Documenting Short-Term Job Changes - A Quick Guide for ABLE-BC Members

Sometimes, your team members step outside their usual roles-covering a shift, lending a hand on a special project, or taking on a short-term task. Even if it’s just for a day, it’s crucial to get the details right to stay smooth and compliant with BC’s employment rules.

Keep It Simple - But Document Everything

No need for a full contract rewrite when the change is temporary and minor. Instead, use two straightforward forms:

Internal Pay Adjustment Form: Capture the what (task details), when (date/time), and how much (temporary pay). Be clear that their regular role and pay resume once the task ends.

One-Time Assignment Acknowledgement: Have the employee sign off to confirm they agree with the temporary change. This is your written handshake.

Why Bother?

We get it, extra paperwork isn’t anyone’s favourite. But in BC, skipping this step can cause payroll headaches, misunderstandings, or even legal risks like claims of constructive dismissal.

Documenting temporary changes:

Keeps payroll accurate and hassle-free.

Protects you from disputes over duties or pay.

Shows you’re following BC’s Employment Standards Act, ensuring fair treatment.

Heads Up on Bigger Changes

If the change feels significant-like a major role shift or pay cut-get explicit consent from your employee. Small tweaks can add up if ongoing, so keep communication open and clear.

The Golden Rule: Talk It Out

A quick conversation plus clear paperwork equals happy employees and a legally sound workplace. Trust us-your future self and your team will thank you.

Need Help?

ABLE BC Expert Super HR can support your submission and ensure your summer setup is compliant and optimized. We offer ABLEBC members a free 30-minute consultation.

Connect with pierre@superhrcanada.com to book your session today.

Cannabis Corner: Upcoming Survey and Townhall

Help shape ABLE BC's cannabis policies! As ABLE BC’s Cannabis Membership continues to unite (representing over 100 stores in BC), we are preparing the next set of engagement work with membership on advocacy priorities such as perspectives on:

BC’s market controls;
on-going government regulatory projects;
and streamlining existing cannabis policies.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further communication on an upcoming townhall and new survey for members.

Not sure if your cannabis business is a part of ABLE BC Membership? Contact bo@ablebc.ca

JOIN ABLE BC CANNABIS TODAY

SUPPORT OUR ADVOCACY WORK -- JOIN ABLE BC TODAY!

Out and About with ABLE BC

Michael Brown (ABLE BC Director & Owner of Village Liquor Store) & Jesse Sidhu (Manager of Membership & Events)

To ensure a smooth transition into ABLE BC's 50th year, our Board of Directors and dedicated staff have been meeting on a weekly basis to plan ahead on industry priorities.

Our focus remains strong and responsive on the advocacy front as we prepare for Victoria to engage our government partners.

In the midst of all this planning, the ABLE BC Team also enjoyed some moments of the nice weather alongside with fellow members and partners at the Parallel 49 Brewery in Vancouver!

Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars

Check out these upcoming events: