Liquor Industry Update: September 1, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Heres’ what you’ll find in today’s update:
Resumption of Wholesale Distribution, WCC Operations, and Web Store
Quantity Limits Remain in Place at BC Liquor Stores
Policy Directive 22-13: General Liquor Policy Changes
WorkSafe BC Amends Rules on the Refusal of Unsafe Work
ABLE BC & go2HR Webinar Recording
SPARK: BC Hotel and Liquor Conference, Presented by BCHA & ABLE BC
Renewal Season is Here!
Economic Grant Programs Evaluation Survey
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Benefit Highlight: Global Payments
Out and About with ABLE BC!
Join ABLE BC Today!
Find all past updates here.
Resumption of Wholesale Distribution, WCC Operations, and Web Store
In case you missed yesterday’s update on the resumption of Wholesale Distribution, Wholesale Customer Operations, and Web Store, please keep reading.
We are delighted that the British Columbia General Employee’s Union (BCGEU) and the BC Government reached a tentative deal earlier this week and that, as a show of good faith, the BCGEU is standing down strike action at the Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB) warehouses and ending its ban on overtime.
The LDB has begun its restart plan and, as of August 31, is shipping outstanding orders placed prior to job action. This includes:
Orders received by email and phone before 3:30 pm on August 15
Orders placed on Web Store before 3:00 pm on August 17
Once these orders are shipped distribution will shift to new orders. Due to high order volumes, delivery of new orders is expected to be delayed.
Please note that delivery windows and ETAs for deliveries are unavailable at this time and that deliveries may arrive outside regular delivery windows.
The current purchasing limits at BC Liquor Stores will remain in place until further notice. As a reminder, all customers are limited to no more than three of any individual item (ie SKU) per day, with the exception of beer. This restriction will be lifted once BC Liquor Stores are sufficiently restocked to handle increased demand.
We understand that industry is eager to see shelves re-stocked quickly, but we want to remind you that the restart process will take several weeks. We are working with LDB to ensure deliveries are filled quickly, efficiently, and fairly. Your continued understanding, flexibility, and patience is greatly appreciated.
Expected Delays
Customers serviced by the Kamloops Distribution Centre (KDC) may see separate deliveries for KDC and Delta Distribution Centre (DDC) portions in an effort to ship available product as quickly as possible.
Single bottle pick service is suspended until further notice.
Non-stock wholesale products (NSWP) are being delivered, but will be delayed.
Returns are now being accepted, but may not be processed for some time.
Ordering
Web Store is now available, but with high volumes you can expect to experience delays when placing orders and processing transactions. LDB Wholesale Operations kindly asks for users experiencing challenges to try using Web Store again before contacting the Wholesale Customer Centre (WCC).
Email and phone orders are now being accepted, but processing times are delayed due to high volumes. Customers are encouraged to use Web Store where possible.
In order to help with efficient order fulfillment, please consider these suggestions:
Review available inventory frequently and order what is currently available.
Where possible, order beer and refreshment beverages in full pallet quantities (approximately 110 cases). Pallet quantities by SKU can be found here.
Click here to read a memo from LDB.
We will offer further updates as soon as they are available.
The BCGEU strike exposed the vulnerability of the monopoly distribution system in BC. Over the past two weeks we have had several questions from members about distribution reform options including licensee-to-licensee sales, direct delivery of RTD products, and diversification or privatization of the distribution system. Rest assured, we understand the need for logical distribution reforms and have already begun talks with government, our Board of Directors, the LRS and LP committees, and the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP) on the appropriate strategies and priorities moving forward.
Quantity Limits Remain in Place at BC Liquor Stores
As you know, it will take some time to restock alcohol inventory at all business types across the province, including BC Liquor stores. While BC Liquor stores have resumed accepting and coordinating orders from hospitality customers, the purchasing limit of three items per SKU per day (expect for beer) will remain in place while these stores work to replenish inventory.
This limit is only for product purchased off BC Liquor stores shelves. It does not extend to hospitality orders submitted for LDB wholesale distributed products.
Click here to read a memo from LDB.
Policy Directive 22-13: General Liquor Policy Changes
Earlier this month, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) announced Policy Directive 22-13, introducing miscellaneous amendments to several liquor licence Terms and Conditions handbooks.
The amendments include:
1. licensees may only purchase liquor for the purpose of selling and/or serving it under their licence,
2. the rules around the use of automated liquor dispensing systems,
3. the exceptions to the disposable container requirement in stadiums,
4. that taxes no longer need to be specified in price lists,
5. additional terms and conditions regarding incident logs, and
6. updated rules concerning manufacturer brand-identified refrigerators
Amendment one has been put in place to ensure that liquor products purchased under a licence at wholesale price are only for the purpose of serving and/or re-sale to patrons in the licensed establishment.
Amendment five clarifies expectations for licensees about what types of incidents should be logged and what an incident log should include.
ABLE BC members have access to free incident log templates. If you are a member and need access to the template, please reach out to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication at ann@ablebc.ca.
Click here to read the full policy directive.
WorkSafe BC Amends Rules on the Refusal of Unsafe Work
As of August 22, 2022, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) has been amended to strengthen worker protections on the right to refuse unsafe work.
Prior to the amendment, the regulation did not explicitly prohibit the reassignment of refused work, or require the disclosure that another worker had refused the task due to health or safety concerns. WorkSafeBC has addressed this issue through the amendment to the OHSR.
Under the new rules, employers are required to notify workers in writing of any unresolved work refusal due to safety concerns. It also requires employers to tell the subsequent worker the specific reasons the first worker felt the task was unsafe. The employer must also explain why the task would not create an undue hazard to their health and safety.
Workers or employers with questions about the right to refuse unsafe work can contact WorkSafeBC’s prevention information line toll-free at 1-888-621-7233.
Resources:
Regulatory amendment: A primer on refusing unsafe work | WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC and Government Action Review: Crossing the Rubicon
ABLE BC & go2HR Webinar Recording
Thank you to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s webinar with go2HR: How to Navigate Employee Layoffs.
The webinar recording is available online to members, after logging in to your account. If you are an existing member but haven’t yet set up your account, please reach out to Ann for help signing in.
If you are not a member and would like to view these recordings, you can easily sign up for an ABLE membership here. Contact Ann at 604-688-5560 or ann@ablebc.ca for help with membership.
For more HR resources, ABLE BC members are encouraged to reach out to the go2HR Consultant in their region.
· Thompson Okanagan - Ginger Brunner
· Vancouver, Coast & Mountains - Cindy Conti
· Northern BC - Sarah Best
· Kootenay Rockies - Sarah Moseley
· Vancouver Island - Peter Charles
· Cariboo Chilcotin - Christie Blaquiere
SPARK: BC’s Hotel and Liquor Conference, Presented by BCHA & ABLE BC
This year, ABLE BC is pleased to partner with the British Columbia Hotel Association to bring the first ever BC Hotel & Liquor Conference.
Created for hoteliers, liquor retailers, publicans, hospitality owners and managers, and liquor industry professionals, this event will bring together BC’s hospitality industry for an array of informative and industry-driven sessions that will SPARK ideas relating to growth, advocacy, labour, and more!
Save the Date!
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
The conference will take place in Vancouver on Granville Island at the Waterfront and Nest Theaters, with a special joint lunch session at Dockside Restaurant and followed by an industry reception.
All industry members are welcome.
Stay tuned for full agenda, registration, and website.
Key Details
SPARK: BC's Hotel & Liquor Conference will take place in Vancouver on Granville Island at the Waterfront and Nest Theaters
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
The event will include targeted industry sessions, a special lunch at Dockside restaurant, networking reception, and much more!
All industry members are welcome!
Stay tuned for full agenda & registration details
Take the Conference Survey
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey about SPARK: BC's Hotel & Liquor Industry Conference. We want to hear from you about what topics are most interesting to you and your business.
Your feedback is critical in our efforts to produce a conference that will be impactful and engaging.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ann Brydle (Manager of Membership & Communications) at ann@ablebc.ca.
Renewal Season is Here!
ABLE BC memberships expired on August 31, 2022. We rely on membership dues to continue our advocacy work, so prompt payment is deeply appreciated.
You can expect to hear from us directly in the coming weeks with information on how to renew your membership.
Economic Grant Programs Evaluation Survey
The province is seeking participation in a survey to understand experiences with these economic grant programs:
Please note, responses will be reported in aggregate format only without identifying information of individual respondents.
Click here to complete the survey.
The survey will be open until September 18, 2022.
If you have questions about the survey, please contact Ministry of Jobs Economic Recovery and Innovation staff at businessrecoverygrantprogram@gov.bc.ca.
BC Public Accounts Show Strong Fiscal Result for 2021-22
BC’s year-end Public Accounts show a strong fiscal result last year with a faser than expected economic recovery. The province ended the 2021-22 fiscal year with a $1.3-billion surplus, with the economy outperforming both public and private sector forecasts.
“Last year was an incredibly challenging year for British Columbians with the pandemic, coupled with devastating climate disasters,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance. “Through the challenges we’ve faced together, we’ve made record investments to ensure targeted supports were available to those who needed them most and to continue building the services and infrastructure people count on.”
Click here to read the government press release.
Click here to view the Public Accounts presentation.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Join the BC Hotel Association for Information & Engagement Sessions in Prince Rupert (Sept 13) and Terrace (Sept 15)
Accommodators & tourism operators, we encourage you to join the BC Hotel Association for one of their FREE Northern BC industry information and engagement sessions, taking place in Prince Rupert on September 13 and Terrace on September 15.
These FREE sessions include:
An engagement session
Updates on advocacy efforts both provincially and federally
Information on current and emerging issues, along with ways to mitigate risk
Tools, resources, and benefits available to members
Networking portion with food and drinks provided
Click here to register and learn more.
Vancouver IVSA Buyer’s Salon September 19, 2022
The Vancouver IVSA Buyer’s Salon are coming up soon! RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca now to sample products from 30+ liquor agents. Your RSVP must include your full name (first and last) and company name or website.
When: Monday, September 19th, 2022, 12:30-4:00 pm
Where: The Vancouver Club, 915 W Hastings Street
Agents will showcase the newest imported wines, spirits & beers. Also look for unique featured imports. Attendance may be restricted to the following: licensee buyers, proprietors, sommeliers, managers, chefs, media, and BCLS product consultants only.
RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca. Your RSVP must include your full name (first and last) and company name or website.
Wines of BC Ambassador Program Level Two
Wine Growers British Columbia is pleased to announce the opening of registration for the Wines of BC Ambassador Program Level Two Fall 2022.
Hosted across various locations in British Columbia and Alberta, the Ambassador Level Two classes, led by a trained Ambassador Program Facilitator, will feature an updated curriculum including educational material on the 6 new sub-GI's announced in BC in June 2022, as well as a tasting of BC wine alongside international comparisons.
Click here to view course dates and location and to register now. Use promo code BCWINETRADE22.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference March 1-3, 2023
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) are excited to announce the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference will return March 1-3, 2023.
The 2023 conference will take place in Prince George and will bring an array of unique industry speakers and topics relating to the next chapter of tourism and hospitality within our province.
Click here to learn more.
Benefit Highlight: Global Payments
ABLE BC is pleased to partner with Global Payments to bring you access to the broadest selection of payment technology and software solutions in Canada. Make use of this limited-time offer and start accepting payments anywhere—online, through mobile, in-store, and more, for less!
Special Limited Time Offer for ABLE BC members (sign up from September 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022):
Free terminal rental*. Rent up to two (2) POS terminals at no additional cost for the first three (3) months.
Satisfaction guarantee*. No set up fee (up to $200 savings). Try us risk-free for the first 90 days. If you are not satisfied, you can exit penalty-free.
Free cost analysis. No obligation cost analysis to identify potential savings opportunities for your business.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Out and About with ABLE BC!
The past two weeks were a whirlwind, to say the least. The BCGEU strike caused serious harm to our industry and highlighted the vulnerability of our monopoly wholesale distribution system. While the strike was ongoing, the ABLE BC team worked relentlessly to support our members and advocate for your businesses.
Here are some of the actions we took in the past two weeks:
Met with government daily to explain the damage the strike was doing to industry, maintain pressure for a swift end to the labour dispute, and provide feedback on LDB restart plans
Provided near-daily updates to keep you informed
Produced this survey to measure the impact on our industry
Published this FAQ to help answer questions
Created free signage for LRS and cannabis retail stores to help explain stock outages
Collated a list of local producers offering direct delivery
Hosted a free webinar with go2HR on How to Navigate Employee Layoffs
Along with a coalition of industry associations, we wrote this open letter to government and the BCGEU calling for an end to the dispute and strike action
Jeff Guignard, ABLE’s Executive Director, was also in the news daily to spread our message and advocate for you. Here are some recent news appearances:
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.