ABLE Ramps Up Liquor & Cannabis Industry Advocacy as 2024 BC Election Approaches

On October 19, 2024 British Columbians will head to the polls and cast their votes in the BC provincial election. In the run up to election day, the BC Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC), is ramping up liquor and cannabis industry advocacy to ensure licensees’ concerns, needs and voices are heard. ABLE BC called this campaigning period “a crucial time to build relationships with key decision-makers and ensure that the concerns of our members are front and centre.”

To that end, ABLE hosted an Election Advocacy 101 series (held virtually) on October 3, 7 and 10. The learning sessions summarize industry priorities so that business owners can engage local politicians.

The most notable priorities include:

• Opposition to retail liquor sales in BC convenience stores
  On September 5, it became legal for licensed Ontario grocers and convenience stores to sell alcohol. An Alberta government advisory committee recently recommended against alcohol sales in grocery and convenience stores in that province, finding that it would cause significant harm to private liquor stores including possible closures, job losses and reduced selection for consumers.
• Prevent expansion of liquor sales in grocery stores
• Maintain the 1 km rule between liquor stores
• Maintain moratorium on new LRS licenses
• Workforce development to alleviate labour shortage crisis
• Curtail illegal cannabis sales by increasing enforcement actions
• Implement a minimum distance requirement between cannabis retailers

Source: “ABLE BC Election Advocacy 101 Sessions”, ABLE BC, September 26, 2024.

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