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In September 2023, ABLE BC (Alliance of Beverage Licensees BC) released its annual advocacy report “2023 Advocacy Report: Building for the Future” (PDF).
In the report, you’ll find:
- Messages from ABLE President, Yvan Charette and Executive Director, Jeff Guignard
- Activities of the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP)
- Activities of the LRS & LP Policy Committees
- 2022-23 Recap: Our Track Record of Success
- 2023/24 Plans for the Future
- Expanding to Cannabis Retailers
- ABLE BC Benefits and Resources
Notable Highlights from the ABLE Advocacy Report
- In 2023, Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, met with over 150 licensees on Vancouver Island, in The Kootenays, and the Okanagan. The meetings revealed that “liquor retail and hospitality industries have a long way to go to recover financially from the pandemic.”
- BTAP reiterated concerns about LDB’s outdated IT systems, delays receiving wholesale products, issues with single-bottle picks and licensing delays. ABLE BC formed BTAP in 2018 and in that year submitted to government a list of 24 recommendations aimed at increasing efficiency and opportunity in BC’s liquor industry.
- ABLE provided much needed advocacy during the 2022 BCGEU strike. The strike disrupted liquor and cannabis distribution. For the duration of the strike, ABLE met daily with government, voicing concerns and applying pressure to end the strike and provided near-daily updates to members. ABLE offered free signage to members explaining stock outages to customers, surveyed stakeholders to gauge the strike impact, and collated a list of local producers offering direct delivery. Almost daily during the strike, ABLE leadership voiced concerns and advocated for members on television, radio and in print.
- ABLE opened its membership to cannabis retailers and appointed Bo Chen as Head of Cannabis Membership.
About ABLE BC
ABLE BC advocates on behalf of BC bars, pubs, private liquor retailers and cannabis stores. ABLE is a non-profit organization funded by the dues of its 1,000+ members. ABLE works with government to “create business-friendly policies and enhance private sector opportunities”.
Succeed in BC’s Retail Liquor and Cannabis Industry with Our Help
Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors is BC’s go-to liquor and cannabis consultant. Whether you have a start-up business and need licensing help, or want to fine-tune your operation to increase efficiency and profit, we can help! Our work helps licensees succeed while freeing up your time and energy so you can do what you do best – run your business.
