Liquor Industry Update --------------------------------------------------------
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Liquor Industry Update:
May 2, 2024
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry:
- A Message from ABLE BC President Yvan Charette
- Take the ABLE BC Industry Benchmark Survey Now!
- Public Safety & Responsible Service During the Playoffs
- BC Government Modifies the Province's Decriminalization Policy
- Advocacy Win: Bill 12 on Hold
- Registration Open for BCHF Golf Tournaments
- Workplace Culture Starts with You!
What you'll find in every newsletter:
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A Message from ABLE BC President Yvan Charette
Last week, I met with my fellow Directors for our quarterly Board meeting. As I said in my President’s Report to the Board, I am continually impressed by everything ABLE BC’s staff is doing for our industry. Jeff, Ann, David, and Bo have been working hard to advance our advocacy efforts, build relationships with key industry stakeholders, and ensure the future is bright for ABLE BC members.
The Board monitors key issues concerning our members and the wider industry. During our last meeting, we discussed a few of the biggest frustrations we’re hearing from you now and what actions ABLE BC will take to address them.
Mike McKee, Chair of the LRS Policy Committee, reported on the committee’s active work around margin compression and the frustrating retail practices of BC Liquor Stores, namely BCL exclusives and flash sales. They’re also exploring the feasibility of an ABLE BC buying group.
One issue I am particularly concerned with, that I know many of you are as well, is convenience stores like 7/11 seeking Food Primary licenses. My concern is that convenience stores will abuse FP licenses and the liquor-to-go provision, effectively acting as liquor retailers. Rest assured; we are doing everything necessary to not let that happen.
I’m pleased to report that ABLE’s membership base is growing, welcoming 42 new liquor licensee members and 35 new cannabis retail licensee members in the first quarter of 2024. We’re also seeing promising growth in our various communication channels with a consistently strong newsletter open rate and engagement across social media. We’ve recently increased our activity on LinkedIn, a great platform to keep up to date on our upcoming events (like our 20th anniversary party), advocacy wins, and association updates. Why not connect with ABLE BC!
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ABLE BC Directors left to right: Michael Brown (Village Liquor Store), Mike McKee (JAK's & Muse), Yvan Charette (My Pub Group)
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BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health
The Canadian Mental Health Association has created a resource hub for employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work.
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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 david@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in.
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Take the ABLE BC Industry Benchmark Survey Now!
Help us shed light on the challenges facing the private liquor industry in 2024. Take our Industry Benchmark Survey now!
This survey is for all Licensee Retail Store (LRS) and Liquor Primary (LP) licensees in BC.
ABLE BC seeks to understand how your business is doing and what you expect in 2024. Your replies are vital to our research and advocacy work and will help us better advance the needs of the private liquor industry.
This survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday, May 31, 2024.
As a thank you for your participation, respondents will receive a free detailed analysis of this survey's findings.
Survey respondents who provide their contact information will be entered into a draw to win a $200 VISA gift card, generously provided by Andrea O'Leary of SONA.
The information you provide in this survey will be kept strictly private and confidential. Your responses will not be viewed on an individual basis but analyzed in aggregate form.
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Public Safety & Responsible Service During the Playoffs
The Canucks journey through the Stanley Cup Playoffs is an exciting and profitable time for industry. The added boost from guests coming out to bars and pubs across the province to watch, cheer, and celebrate our favourite hockey team is a welcome boost for many still struggling to recover financially from the pandemic.
As we see a bump in sales on game days, particularly in Downtown Vancouver, we’d like to remind industry of the importance of responsible alcohol service. Whether you own a liquor store, pub, or restaurant, be extra vigilant about avoiding over-service and checking ID to prevent liquor sales to minors.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD), Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA), and ABLE BC hosted a joint call with Vancouver-area licensees earlier today to discuss strategies for a shared effort to increase public safety and mitigate risk during the playoffs.
You can view the recording here or in the member portal.
Key takeaways included:
- Reviewing house policies, SIR best practices, and license terms and conditions with all staff.
- Maintaining extra vigilance around over-service on game days.
- Scheduling extra staff during and after games.
- Take extra caution with single-serve sales (ex. tall cans, canned cocktails, etc) that may be intended for public consumption or to bring into Rogers Arena or other venues.
- Train your team to remind guests that public drinking and bringing outside alcohol to Rogers Arena are prohibited. Extra VPD officers and liquor inspectors will be out and about in Downtown Vancouver on game days offering support to licensees. We encourage you to work with officers to increase public safety. If you have questions or concerns about over-intoxicated patrons, you can email Superintendent Don Chapman at don.chapman@vpd.ca.
- Take extra caution with liquor-to-go sales, ensuring that takeaway alcohol is sold with a full meal.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC’s Senior Communications Manager Ann Brydle at ann@ablebc.ca or VPD Superintendent Don Chapman at don.chapman@vpd.ca.
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BC Government Modifies the Province's Decriminalization Policy
Earlier this week, Premier David Eby announced a significant change to BC’s decriminalization pilot project and is now banning all illicit drug use in public. This policy reversal came after an outcry from healthcare workers worried about patients using drugs in hospitals, as well as criticism from political leaders and concerns from businesses and citizens throughout BC.
“Keeping people safe is our highest priority. While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” said Premier Eby. “We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better.”
This change does not recriminalize drug possession in private residences or legal shelters, overdose prevention sites, or drug checking locations. Instead, the new prohibition will give police the power to force people to stop using or leave the area if they are caught anywhere in public, including hospitals, restaurants, transit, parks, and beaches.
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Advocacy Win: Bill 12 on Hold
Last week, the BC government announced they will place Bill 12 (The Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act) on hold. Instead, the province will collaborate directly with social media companies through a new BC Online Safety Action Table to enhance online safety for British Columbians.
BC’s business community had raised serious concerns about the possible impact of this wide-ranging bill and asked government to allow more time for consultation and study. ABLE BC, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and several other industry associations outlined our concerns in this letter.
While the future of Bill 12 is now uncertain, we greatly appreciate that our government partners are pausing this bill for the time being.
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Registration Open for BCHF Golf Tournaments
Registration is now open for the BC Hospitality Foundation golf tournaments in Vancouver and Victoria!
Vancouver:
- Friday, July 5, 2024
- Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course, 5133 Springs Boulevard, Delta
- Shotgun start at 1:00 pm
- Register here
Victoria:
- Wednesday, August 21, 2024
- Olympic View Golf Club, 643 Latoria Road, Victoria
- Shotgun start at 1:30 pm
- Register here
Interested in sponsorship?
Contact Samantha Scholefield at samantha@sasparilla.ca for sponsorship opportunities. If you would you like to donate a silent auction item to a tournament, please fill out the form HERE.
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Workplace Culture Starts With You!
Don't miss out! Chefs' Table Society of BC is hosting in person sessions on creating a culture shift in bar, pub, and restaurant workplaces in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Victoria. Learn important strategies for tackling your own mental health, and how to use new skills to lead your team.
Four years of pivoting have taken their toll: deep seeded stress, depression, and burnout are real causes of mental health challenges that can impact you, your workers, and your workplace culture. If you or your workers are struggling to find a renewed sense of balance at work, you aren’t alone!
Chef's Table Society has created a dynamic session ocused on how leadership and prioritizing mental health and wellness can have a positive impact on your workplace culture.
You'll be introduced to formal workplace processes that give you the tools needed for a culture shift. This is a great session for leaders looking to build their toolkit and inspire their teams.
Workplace Culture Shift program funding was provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
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Cannabis Corner:
Help Support Our Advocacy Efforts
We’re delighted to report that our cannabis retail membership is growing!
We've been engaging with retailers, government, and industry stakeholders in BC to further our advocacy efforts on behalf of our cannabis retail members.
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Top left: Bo visiting Victoria. Top right: Bo & Flight Cannabis in Langford. Bottom left: ABLE BC President Yvan Charette & Seed & Stone CEO Vikram Sachdeva. Bottom right: City of Prince George 420 Block Party
Want to get involved in our cannabis advocacy? Contact ABLE BC's Head of Cannabis Membership, Bo Chen, at bo@ablebc.ca. And make sure to sign up for the Cannabis Industry Update newsletter to stay informed on all our cannabis efforts.
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go2HR on Tap:
Celebrate Mental Health Week
go2HR is a regular contributor to the ABLE BC Liquor Industry Update newsletter, providing tips and guidance on current HR trends, new legislation, employee recruitment and retention, and more. To read the latest instalment, sign in to the member portal or sign up for the newsletter.
At go2HR we’re proud of our ongoing partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC). Together we provide industry-specific mental health resources, support, and training programs to the tourism and hospitality industry. From May 6 to 10, we’re celebrating CMHA Mental Health Week, and we encourage all industry employers to participate by prioritizing their employees' mental health and wellbeing.
The Importance of Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) In Tourism and Hospitality
In tourism and hospitality, excellent customer service is essential. Understanding psychological health and safety (PH&S) in your workplace is equally important. Assessing your workplace for psychological safety is the first step towards creating a culture of care where employees feel supported and valued.
Taking care of your employee’s mental health and well-being isn’t just the right thing to do; it also leads to a more positive experience for your employees, your customers, and your business.
A Call to be Kind: This Year’s CMHA Mental Health Week Theme
This year’s CMHA Mental Health Week focuses on the healing power of compassion. The theme A Call to be Kind encourages employers to build compassionate workplaces. This means supporting employees, learning to check in on them, recognizing signs of stress, anxiety, and struggle, and showing genuine concern when reaching out to those who might be struggling.
These are just a few ways employers can be a support system. For more ideas on how to share care and build a psychologically safe workplace, access go2HR’s resources. It’s the perfect first step to raising awareness about mental health and wellbeing in the workplace during Mental Health Week.
Questions about psychological health and safety or need advice? Reach out to our Workplace PH&S Consultant for a FREE consultation.
go2HR, the HR and health and safety association for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has a wealth of free resources to support you. We invite you to connect with us to learn more about how you can support your employees at hr@go2HR.ca.
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Celebrating 20 Years of ABLE BC!
2024 is a big year for ABLE BC! While our history stretches back nearly 50 years to 1975 with the founding of the BC Neighbourhood Pub Owners’ Association, ABLE BC as it is known today was incorporated in March 2004.
20 years ago, the BC Liquor Licensees & Retailers’ Association (formerly the BC Neighbourhood Pub Owners’ Association), the BC & Yukon Hotels’ Association, and the BC Cabaret Owners' Association merged to create BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC). The new association united the voices of the province’s liquor licensees, creating a strong impact on government and ensuring our success when fighting for members’ needs.
Fast forward to today and ABLE BC’s mandate has remained the same: we advocate on behalf of liquor (and now cannabis retail) licensees with all levels of government for business-friendly policy and regulation.
Come celebrate 20 years of successful advocacy, industry empowerment, and protecting members' investments!
Party Details:
- Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024
- Time: 5:00 pm-9:00 pm
- Location: The Junction Pub, 1138 Davie Street, Vancouver
- Cost: free for members! Simply log in to the member portal to register at no cost. Non-members may register for $25.
Join us for a fun night of celebration, networking with industry colleagues and government officials, drinks and eats, and a pub quiz from IQ 2000 Trivia!
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ABLE BC members at the February 2024 reception
Do you have a story to share about your own history with ABLE BC? Get in touch with ann@ablebc.ca.
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Out and About with ABLE BC
As always, the ABLE BC team is booked and busy working on resources for members, meeting with government officials, and attending industry events.
If you attended the IVSA tasting salon in Vancouver last week, you probably ran into David Lough, ABLE BC's Manager of Membership Services. Or if you were at the Cowichan Valley Wine Society trade tasting in Victoria earlier this week, you might have seen our Senior Communications Manager Ann Brydle. Bo Chen, Head of Cannabis Memberships, was in Prince George recently for the BC Craft Farmers Cannabis Summit. And today, Executive Director Jeff Guignard is attending the BC Hotel Association Summit in Whistler.
We’re always happy to get out of the office and meet with members and industry face-to-face. But of course, our team has spent a lot of time at our desks as well, holding meetings with the ABLE BC Board of Directors, LRS Policy Committee, hosting a webinar for our cannabis retail members, and meeting with government partners to discuss our key initiatives for the coming months.
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Left to right: David Lough, Jeff Guignard, Evan Southern (Beer Canada)
ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard appeared in the following media recently:
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Check out these upcoming events:
- Public Safety & Responsible Service During the Playoffs, Virtual, May 2
- Naramata Bench Spring Release, Vancouver, May 3
- Securing Small Business Rebate info session, Virtual, May 7
- WORTH Leadership Summit, Vancouver, May 13
- Top Drop Trade Tastings & Seminars, Vancouver, May 14-15
- ABLE BC’s 20th Anniversary Party, Vancouver, June 6
- BCHF Vancouver Golf Tournament, Vancouver, July 5
- BCHF Victoria Golf Tournament, Victoria, August 21
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Copyright © 2024
BC's Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC)
200 - 948 Howe Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1N9 Canada
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