SIR requirements for liquor delivery, BC Lotto issues, upcoming events, and more! ----------------------------------------------- |
|
|
Liquor Industry Update: September 19, 2024 |
|
|
Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry:
What you'll find in every newsletter: |
| |
|
A Message from ABLE BC's Executive Director, Jeff Guignard
The end of summer is always a busy time for the team at ABLE BC. We’re wrapping up another renewal season (login to the Member Portal if you haven’t renewed yet!), I’m travelling around BC hosting Liquor Industry Meetings, and we’re gearing up for what should be an interesting provincial election.
In between all of that, we’ve welcomed a new member to the ABLE BC team! Please join me in welcoming Jesse Sidhu, our new Manager of Membership and Events, to ABLE BC. David Lough has moved on to a new opportunity, and we thank him for his service and dedication.
Jesse comes to us with over a decade of experience in non-profits, event and conference management, and member development. He’s an exceptional addition to our team, and I can’t wait for you to meet him. Reach out to Jesse at jesse@ablebc.ca.
I am relieved to see that Air Canada has reached a tentative deal with its pilots to avoid a strike that could have caused massive disruptions to our tourism and hospitality businesses. ABLE BC and 16 other industry associations wrote to the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Minister of Labour and Seniors, the Minister of Transportation, and the Quebec Lieutenant to urge the federal government’s intervention to prevent an Air Canada pilot strike. We are pleased to see a resolution.
Last week, a few ABLE Directors, LRS Policy Committee members, and I met with Sairose Fisher, Executive Director of Liquor Wholesale Operations at the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB). We meet regularly to discuss delivery issues and progress on webstore improvements. As usual, Sairose and her team were transparent, collaborative, and focused on supply chain issue solutions for all LDB customers.
I’ll finish on an exciting personal update. I’m getting married! I’ll be taking some time away at the end of this month to celebrate with friends and family, but you can reach me at jeff@ablebc.ca with urgent issues. |
Jesse Sidhu, ABLE BC Manager of Membership & Events |
Issues with BC Lotto Machines
Jeff Guignard, ABLE BC’s Executive Director, has been on the road all month, meeting with members, licensees, and liquor industry professionals across BC. These meetings are the best way for us to hear directly from members about the issues that matter most to your businesses. In these meetings, we’ve heard a lot of feedback about what’s working well and what isn’t.
One thing we’ve heard loud and clear from our Liquor Primary members is that the rollout of the new BC Lotto machines has caused serious problems for your businesses and customers. We heard your stories about poor communication, malfunctioning cash acceptors, lost reconciliation reports, technical headaches, wasted staff hours, and thousands of dollars of lost revenue. Over the past few weeks, many of you reported catastrophic declines of up to 80 per cent in lotto sales.
In between Liquor Industry Meetings, Jeff has been working with senior executives at BC Lotto to help resolve this issue. While we wait for a technical fix to be deployed, we’ve been pushing for a fair compensation package to make up for lost revenue from BC Lotto machines.
We expect to be able to provide further updates soon. |
|
|
People Working Well
The Canadian Mental Health Association of BC has created a resource for tourism and hospitality employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work. |
| 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. |
| ABLE BC Member Portal The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact ann@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in. |
|
|
Clarifying SIR Requirements for Liquor Delivery Last month, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) released Bulletin 24-10: Updates to liquor delivery requirements.
This policy change requires liquor licensees to ensure any individual delivering liquor on their behalf is Serving It Right (SIR) certified, including employees or third-party delivery drivers. Common carriers are exempt from the requirement to be SIR certified.
Many ABLE BC members have asked for clarification on common carriers. The LCRB does not define a common carrier, but in the context of liquor delivery, they are generally understood to provide the public with the service of transporting goods. Examples of common carriers include Canada Post, FedEx, ATS Healthcare, Container World, GeaZone, and other courier companies.
Third-party delivery services, who connect customers to local businesses, are required to be SIR certified. Examples of third-party delivery services include Door Dash, Skip the Dishes, and Uber Eats.
Most delivery service providers already require their drivers to be SIR certified. Generally, their online platform stores the driver’s SIR certification and only pushes orders that include liquor to drivers with valid SIR certification (meaning SIR that has been verified by the company and is not expired). However, it is the licensee’s ultimate responsibility to confirm the third-party delivery service has these measures in place for their drivers because they hold the liquor licence. Licensees are not required to keep SIR records for third-party delivery drivers because they are not employees of the licensee.
If you have questions about SIR requirements for liquor delivery, please email ann@ablebc.ca or LCRBLiquorPolicy@gov.bc.ca. |
Liquor Primary vs Liquor Primary Club FAQ
Are you curious about the differences between Liquor Primary licences and Liquor Primary Club licences? Check out ABLE BC’s new FAQ on these two licence types! |
Still have questions? Reach out to ann@ablebc.ca or connect with one of the liquor licensing consultants in ABLE BC’s annual Buyers’ Guide. |
American Spirits Tour 🥃🥃🥃 Are you an agent or importer? 🥃🥃🥃 The American Spirits Tour is coming to Vancouver on November 7th from 1-4 PM.
This exclusive event will showcase a curated selection of premium American spirits with a focus on American whiskeys, offering a unique opportunity to sample and connect with top distillers. |
Global Payments Exclusive Offer for ABLE BC Members |
You're Invited! October Liquor Industry Meetings The ABLE BC team is on the road again! Join us for a Liquor Industry Meeting in October.
Liquor Industry Meetings are free to attend and open to owners, managers, and staff from any business in the private liquor industry. We are delighted to extend an invitation to all bars, pubs, hotels, liquor stores, manufacturers, and agents nearby. No need to be an ABLE BC member to attend! These meetings are for you if you want to learn more about: Come learn about ABLE BC memberships, key issues we’re focusing on, and how you can get more involved in shaping BC’s private liquor industry.
We look forward to meeting you face-to-face to hear about the issues that matter most to you and your businesses! |
Kort Payments Acquires Barnet Technologies
Kort Payments, a leading provider of payment solutions for regulated industries, has acquired Barnet Technologies, a comprehensive POS systems provider for liquor and cannabis retailers.
By combining KORT’s deep expertise in payment solutions with Barnet’s industry-leading POS technology, this partnership will unlock new opportunities to enhance payment services for all of Barnet’s customers. In the coming months, customers can expect new features tailored specifically for the liquor and cannabis sectors, improved customer support with deeper industry knowledge, and enhanced payment services supported by KORT’s advanced platform. |
Barossa Uncorked
Knowbie is teaming up with one of the world’s most exciting wine regions, Australia’s Barossa, to bring you Barossa Uncorked! This educational tasting event is designed for hospitality and retail staff – sorry, managers, you’re not invited! Join us on October 11! - Barossa Wine Tasting: Taste premium selections from the iconic Barossa region in South Australia, known for its bold flavours and rich history.
-
Expert Insights: Learn directly from Barossa Valley native James Lindner as he shares stories and insider knowledge to elevate your beverage expertise.
- Mingle & Connect: Network with other industry peers in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
|
| |
Swirl Around BC Wine Expo |
|
|
Ask an Expert: Professional Services from Foodbuy Canada
In this week’s edition of Ask an Expert, Foodbuy Canada gives an overview of the professional services they offer to ABLE BC members.
These services include facilities maintenance, equipment sourcing, food safety, and administrative support. By partnering with top suppliers, Foodbuy provides access to small wares, uniforms, and cleaning solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety.
The goal is to streamline kitchen operations while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and sustainability, allowing chefs to focus on delivering exceptional culinary experiences. |
Cannabis Corner: ABLE BC's Advocacy for Cannabis Sales at Events
ABLE BC is advocating on behalf of our cannabis members for a regulatory framework to allow cannabis sales at events. You can read past updates about our work on this here, here, and here.
In the August Cannabis Industry Update, we discussed work on a proposal to the LCRB about cannabis sales at events, and we asked members to share their thoughts to ensure your perspective is reflected in our proposal. Many of you reached out to discuss how you think cannabis sales should be handled at events. We appreciate everyone who reached out with comments – your thoughtful engagement is a testament to the professionalism, creativity, and modern business approach of our industry.
Since then, Jeff Guignard, ABLE BC Executive Director, Bo Chen, ABLE BC Head of Cannabis Membership, and the ABLE BC Cannabis Advisory have consulted in depth with the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) about cannabis at events.
Through conversations with the LCRB, cannabis retailers, and other industry stakeholders, a consensus has emerged on the need for Cannabis Retail Store licensees to have Temporary Off-Site Sale Endorsements, rather than a Cannabis Special Event Permit, as we have previously noted. This approach will ensure that all cannabis sales in BC are carried out safely and responsibly by licensed cannabis retailers. We are optimistic that our LCRB partners will implement a policy framework benefitting BC’s private cannabis industry. |
|
|
go2HR on Tap: Navigating Employee Exits
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.
Dealing with employee departures can be stressful and challenging for employers, especially in bars, pubs, and liquor or cannabis retail stores. Whether due to staffing changes or an employee leaving because of a career shift, handling these transitions effectively is crucial to maintaining smooth business operations.
At go2HR, our Regional HR Consultant for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Christie Blaquiere, provides insights into managing voluntary resignations and employee terminations, with or without cause. She explores how progressive discipline can address employee misconduct or performance issues leading up to termination and offers practical tips on managing the process. Read her full article on the go2HR website to gain valuable guidance on managing employee departures.
Need Help?
Our HR team is available for free consultations to support you through this challenging time. Connect with us today.
go2HR, the HR and health and safety association for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has a wealth of resources to support you. We invite you to connect with us to learn more about how you can support your employees with health and safety at safety@go2HR.ca.
|
Out and About with ABLE BC
The ABLE BC team has been travelling around BC, hosting Liquor Industry Meetings throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and even one meeting in Victoria. Earlier this week, Jeff, our Executive Director, met with licensees and ABLE members in Penticton and Kelowna.
There are only a few more meetings scheduled, all in October. If you’re in North Vancouver, Vancouver, or Whistler, mark your calendars for October 7, 8, and 9! If you can’t make it to a meeting but still want to learn more about ABLE BC and our work, contact us to set up a one-on-one meeting.
|
Jeff Guignard presenting to liquor industry professionals |
|
|
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: - Swirl Around BC Wine Expo, Vancouver, September 24
-
Victoria International Wine Festival Trade Tasting, October 4
- North Vancouver Liquor Industry Meeting, October 7
-
Vancouver Liquor Industry Meeting, October 8
- IVSA Tasting Salon, Vancouver, October 8
-
Whistler Liquor Industry Meeting, October 9
- Barossa Uncorked, Vancouver, October 11
-
Yes Shef, Vancouver, November 6
- American Spirits Tour, Vancouver, November 7
-
BC Tourism Industry Conference, Vancouver, March 5-7, 2025
- BCHA Summit, Vancouver, April 22-23, 2025
|
|
|
|
