Weekly Liquor Industry Update: March 3, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here's what you'll find inside today's update:
B.C. Halts Sale of Russian Liquor Products
Free Member Q&A Webinar in Partnership with New Associate Member Perk Hero
Extension of Temporary Authority for B.C. Liquor Manufacturers to Deliver Directly to Customers from Registeres Off-Site Stoarge Locations
The Quarterly Pour Seeking Members for Editorial Committee
TESA’s Expiring Soon, Apply for a Permanent Patio NOW
Vancouver’s Summer Patio Program Launched March 2nd
WORTH IT! Leadership Journeys of Inspiring Women
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
Victoria IVSA Buyer’s Salon
BCHF Scholarship Applications Now Open!
Wines of BC Ambassador Program
New Canada Digital Adoption Program
Business Names Renewal Consultation
ABLE BC in the News
Find all past updates here.
B.C. Halts Sale of Russian Liquor Products
Last week, Mike Farnworth, Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced further details of British Columbia’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As of February 25, B.C. will “put an immediate halt to the importing and sale of Russian liquor products from our BC Liquor Stores and provincial liquor distribution centres.”
The LDB has asked us to circulate this memo and this list of the Russian products impacted by this action.
As an association, ABLE BC supports the decision of our B.C. government partners to condemn the unprovoked aggression of Russia’s government.
Several members have let us know that they immediately removed Russian products from their shelves and promote vodka made by local craft distillers. Others have decided to continue selling current inventory and donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to the Red Cross's Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
The Government of Canada will match all eligible donations made by Canadian individuals between February 24, 2022 and March 18, 2022, up to a maximum of $10 million.
However you choose to respond, we know members will make the best decision for themselves and their customers.
Should you wish to discuss the situation further, please feel free to contact ABLE BC's Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, at jeff@ablebc.ca.
HELPFUL LINKS
ABLE BC Resources
Visit our COVID-19 Resources page for Liquor Primary COVID Best Practices, template signage, recent policy changes, and more.
Public Health Orders
Visit this page to download all current regional and provincial public health orders.
BC's Restart Plan
Visit the BC Government website for more information on the four-step
Restart Plan.
go2HR Resources
Visit the go2HR website for COVID-19 FAQ for Employers, HR information and updates, and more.
Free Member Q&A Webinar in Partnership with New Associate Member Perk Hero
Register now to join our upcoming Q&A webinar!
Time: Tuesday, March 8 at 10:00 am
Zoom Link: Here
During this free webinar, ABLE BC's Executive Director Jeff Guignard will discuss:
What the recent easing of COVID restrictions means for your business
Paid sick leave questions
A Labour Recovery Framework
What ABLE BC is doing in the immediate future to support your businesses during COVID-19
Progress update on other policy priorities
And more!
We will also be hearing from Justin Strange, of Perk Hero, on a new technology solution designed to help your businesses navigate the labour shortage.
Perk Hero's Digital Dine-In technology will help you beat the labour shortage. Bars, pubs, and restaurants across the country have been having trouble hiring front of house staff. Don't let a labour shortage hold your business back. Serve more guests and improve your profitability with Digital Dine-In.
ABLE BC members get 50% off for the first year
Contact Perk Hero at 855-661-3722 or sales@perkhero.com.
Click below to register, or reach out to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication at ann@ablebc.ca.
Extension of Temporary Authority for B.C. Liquor Manufacturers to Deliver Directly to Customers from Registered Off-Site Storage Locations
The temporary authorization allowing B.C. liquor manufacturers to deliver to customers from a registered off-site storage location has been extended. The original expiration date was set as March 31, 2022.
The extended authorization is effective up to and including June 30, 2022.
This authorization is designed to assist manufacturing partners in speeding up the delivery of products to retail customers who purchase directly from the manufacturer. We do not anticipate it will have any impact on retail sales from LRSs.
Click here to read more. Link to the policy directive pdf. Or visit the LCRB website here.
The Quarterly Pour Seeking Members for Editorial Committee
The Quarterly Pour is the BC private liquor industry’s source of trends and leading-edge news. The publication is the official magazine of ABLE BC, distributed quarterly to every licensee in the province.
ABLE BC and EMC Publications are seeking volunteer members to join the editorial committee for The Quarterly Pour. This committee meets regularly to discuss the vision and direction of The Quarterly Pour and plan articles and ideas for upcoming issues.
We are seeking a diverse range of voices from both liquor primary and private retail members from across the province.
Editorial committee members will be responsible for:
• 1-hour quarterly conference calls
• Constructive feedback on current and past issues
• Article ideas covering a range of topics relevant to owners, managers, and staff of bars, pubs, and private liquor stores
If you are interested in joining the committee, please apply to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca by Friday, March 11, 2022. Your application should include a brief letter explaining why you would like to join the editorial committee for The Quarterly Pour.
TESA’s Expiring Soon, Apply for a Permanent Patio NOW
If you are planning to install a patio this summer, you need to take urgent action now. TESA applications from last year are expiring soon and do not provide approval for patios this coming summer.
On June 15, 2021, the LCRB extended the deadline for currently approved Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESAs) to expire on June 1, 2022.
This means that if you have not made the service area under your TESA permanent by applying for a permanent structural change (e.g., applying for a patio), your TESA will expire on June 1, 2022 and you will not be able to sell or serve liquor in the expanded space.
It’s very important to note that it can take up to 10 months to get your application approved. Licensees who have not yet applied are now at risk of their TESA expiring before they can get approval for a new outdoor patio or structural change.
You can find more information on how to apply via the LCRB’s website.
Please note, not all TESA authorizations will be viable permanent patios. Before you apply and pay the fee, it is your responsibility to work with your local government and authorities to make sure the TESA you want to make permanent complies with all local permits, guidelines, bylaws and requirements.
To apply you will need:
An updated floor plan that clearly shows the structural change
These plans generally require an occupancy load
If you are a Liquor Primary or Manufacturer licensee, your structural change application will be sent to your local government for their comments.
To apply as a Liquor Primary or Food Primary licensee:
Log in to the liquor and cannabis licensing portal with a BCeID
Go to the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard and find the licence you want to change.
Select:
"New Outdoor Patio" for an outdoor TESA or
"Structural Change Application" for an indoor TESA
Complete the application.
You can find more information here.
If you have questions about your expiring TESA or applying for a permanent structural change, we encourage you to contact a liquor licensing consultant. Check out the ABLE BC Buyer’s Guide for recommended consultants.
Vancouver’s Summer Patio Program Launched March 2nd
The wait is almost over for Vancouver summer patio operators and patrons: the City’s new Summer Patio Program is now accepting applications in advance of Vancouver’s busiest outdoor dining season.
Before applying, please review the 2022 Patio Information Guide here.
Apply at: vancouver.ca/patios
NEW – Summer Patio Program and Permit (April 1 to October 31)
The Summer Patio Program was approved by Vancouver Council in September 2021 and is an evolution of the Temporary Expedited Patio Program, which was introduced at the height of COVID-19 to support small businesses quickly adjust to health restrictions and offer safe outdoor dining options.
Permit length: April 1 to October 31 (7 months)
Patios must be removed by November 1, or applicants can apply for Year-Round permit
Permit processing time: streamlined review process, permit approved in weeks
Curbside patios and Large Sidewalk patios are eligible
Patios cannot extend in front of neighbouring businesses
Access ramps are required for Curbside patios
Decking is not permitted
Additional accessibility requirements apply for all patio types
Occupancy: allowances for additional seating are available, see below for more information
Architectural drawings are required (i.e. 2D line drawings, to scale, with accurate dimensions and labeling; professional seal not required)
Permit fees apply. Fees are based on pre-pandemic rates, with a standard annual inflation increase
Maximizing Outdoor Seating (Summer Patio Program Only)
Under the Summer Patio Program, eligible businesses may maximize outdoor seating in two ways:
by temporarily shifting up to 20% of their existing indoor seating to the summer patio space, and/or
by adding up to 12 seats in excess of the existing maximum permitted occupant load for the business, provided the business has a minimum of two existing public washrooms.
Year-Round Patios
The Year-Round Patio Program permits patios to operate from April 1 to March 31 (12 months). Fees do apply. Permit processing times are longer (~months) compared to the Summer Patio Program given that a full review and inspection is required. The City will begin accepting applications for the Year-Round Patio permit Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Resources for Applicants:
For any further questions, please contact the City at street.activities@vancouver.ca
WORTH IT! Leadership Journeys of Inspiring Women
Join the WORTH Association on Monday, March 7th at 6:15 pm for the second annual WORTH IT!: Leadership Journeys of Inspiring Women free virtual panel in celebration of International Women’s Day.
As the tourism, recreation, and hospitality sectors focus on rebuilding, we recognize the need for providing inspiration and optimism for women looking to advance into leadership positions. Tune in for an evening of dialogue surrounding the challenges that the pandemic has brought, inspiring insights into accelerating women into senior roles, and what the future may look like.
Pre-Event Cocktail Social (6:15-6:30 pm) with Sabrine Dhaliwal – Bar Manager, Chickadee.
WORTH IT! Panel (6:30-8:00 pm) with featured panelists:
Alison McKay – Acting Vice President, Destination Management at Destination BC
Brenda Baptiste – Chair, Indigenous Tourism Association of British Columbia
Siobhan Detkavich – Chef, Top Chef Canada Competitor
Christina Ferreira – Owner of Impact Events + Brand Management
Tanya Matthews – Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Pacific Northwest - Fairmont Pacific Rim
Click here to register.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
Registration is now open for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, taking place in-person at the Richmond Conference Centre from March 9-11, 2022.
Please note, tickets will be sold separately for the following conference events, though you must have a conference ticket to attend the gala:
Rev Up! Hotel Pre-Conference Track: Taking place March 9 from 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Rev Up! tickets offer exclusive access to content tailored specifically for accommodators, with engaging presentations and panels from industry experts and leaders across Canada’s accommodation community.
Conference Tickets: Early bird rates are available until 11:59 pm on February 1, 2022 with member and non-member pricing options. Tickets include complete access to all three days of conference sessions, workshops, marketplace, and silent auction.
Awards Gala: Reserve your spot for a celebratory evening that will recognize our province’s most exceptional products, services, experiences, and people, taking place the evening of Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Victoria IVSA Buyer’s Salon
The Victoria IVSA Buyer’s Salon is coming up soon! RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca now to sample products from 30+ liquor agents.
When: Wednesday, April 6th, 2022, 12:30-4:00 pm (entrance doors close at 3:30 pm)
Where: Rock Bay Powerhouse, 2110 Store Street
Please note, proof of vaccination and masks are required. Attendance may be restricted to the following: licensee buyers, proprietors, sommeliers, managers, chefs, media, and BCLS product consultants only.
RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca.
BCHF Scholarship Applications Open Now!
The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for the scholarships it administers. The deadline for most scholarship submissions is March 31, 2022.
In 2022, the BCHF scholarship program will be the largest ever, at over $65,000, and there are new scholarships dedicated exclusively to supporting members of underrepresented groups such as First Nations and members of the LGBT2Q+ community. All applicants must be committed to working in British Columbia for at least the next two years.
Click here for more information.
Wines of BC Ambassador Program
Registration is now open for the Wines of BC Ambassador Program!
Level 1 is an introductory online certification designed for everyone; those making, growing, serving, or simply enjoying BC wine. Wine professionals can use promo code BCWINETRADE22 for a complimentary course. Click here to register now.
Level 2 is a more in-depth course offered in-person and led by a trained Ambassador Facilitator. Level 2 includes an educational tasting of BC wines alongside international benchmarks. Click here to view upcoming dates.
Click here for more information.
New Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the launch of the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), to help Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses grow their online presence and upgrade or adopt their digital technologies. This investment, which will provide $4 billion over four years, will support up to 160,000 small businesses and create jobs across the country, including thousands of jobs for young Canadians.
Under the CDAP, Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be able to assess their digital readiness and apply for grants and loans online. This funding will help them leverage e-commerce opportunities, upgrade or adopt digital technologies, and digitize their operations to stay competitive and meet their customers’ needs in the digital marketplace. Depending on their size, specific needs, and goals, businesses can apply for funding through the Grow Your Business Online or Boost your Business Technology streams.
More information can be found here.
Business Names Renewal Consultation
ABLE BC members are invited to participate in the Business Names Renewal Consultation on the potential for a required business name registration renewal process with the corporate registry.
The Corporate Registry holds information on all corporations, partnerships, and businesses. Initial research suggests that many business names registered with the Corporate Registry belong to non-operational businesses. Currently, there is no process to remove the names of these non-operational business entities from the Corporate Registry.
A renewal process would ensure that the Registry is up-to-date for people and businesses, and there is greater access to names for new businesses in B.C.
You can visit the consultation website here and read this letter from the Deputy Minister of Finance for more information.
Your feedback can be submitted through this online survey or by writing to biz.consult@gov.bc.ca. The deadline is May 15, 2022.
ABLE BC in the News
In case you missed it, ABLE BCs Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, has been in the news recently.