News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
The Quarterly Pour Summer 2022
The Quarterly Pour Summer 2022 issue is now available with information on:
ABLE BC Industry Update from Executive Director Jeff Guignard
ABLE BC Membership Report from Manager of Membership and Communication Ann Brydle
Five Practical Ways to Use Digital Marketing
ABLE BC Member Feature: Cheers Liquor Stores
Expansion Requires Sweating Out the Details
Taking it Down a Notch: Tips for De-Escalating Irate Customers
Make Mental Health a Priority in the Workplace
The Quarterly Pour Summer 2022 issue is now available with information on:
ABLE BC Industry Update from Executive Director Jeff Guignard
ABLE BC Membership Report from Manager of Membership and Communication Ann Brydle
Five Practical Ways to Use Digital Marketing
ABLE BC Member Feature: Cheers Liquor Stores
Expansion Requires Sweating Out the Details
Taking it Down a Notch: Tips for De-Escalating Irate Customers
Make Mental Health a Priority in the Workplace
Submit Your TESA Application
ABLE BC has been hard at work advocating with the province to extend the TESA deadline, while also engaging with municipalities across BC to reduce red tape and cut fees associated with patio applications. In response to a joint letter, ABLE has begun to receive positive feedback from some municipalities and are confident that they will review and update patio application processes.
While work is being done to have the TESA deadline extended, we strongly encourage you to get your application in now.
ABLE BC has been hard at work advocating with the province to extend the TESA deadline, while also engaging with municipalities across BC to reduce red tape and cut fees associated with patio applications. In response to a joint letter, ABLE has begun to receive positive feedback from some municipalities and are confident that they will review and update patio application processes.
Key recommendations include:
Extend current patio programs without implementing new restrictions or fees;
Streamline approvals to ensure those small businesses who have been safely and successfully operating patios may continue to do so;
Increase flexibility for patio types and sizes as well as the number of patios allowed;
Increase the space use of existing patios or picnic areas to allow chairs to be spread out to meet distancing requirements;
Allow pop-up outdoor dining and manufacturer sampling spaces;
Allow and increase the use of parklets and public space for dining;
Allow any increase in patio, picnic area or outdoor space being considered a continuation of an establishment’s existing approved alcohol service area or manufacturers’ sampling area to provide samples and not require additional endorsements or authorizations; and
Coordinate with any relevant bodies—such as the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, Fire Department, etc.—to reduce red tape and speed approval timelines wherever possible.
While work is being done to have the TESA deadline extended, we strongly encourage you to get your application in now. 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.
Survey on Business Names Renewal | Deadline: May 15, 2022
Participate in the Business Names Renewal Consultation to share your thoughts 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.
For more information, visit the consultation website and read the letter from the Deputy Minister of Finance.
Your feedback can be submitted through the online survey or by writing to biz.consult@gov.bc.ca. The deadline is May 15, 2022.
Participate in the Business Names Renewal Consultation to share your thoughts 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.
For more information, visit the consultation website and read the letter from the Deputy Minister of Finance.
Your feedback can be submitted through the online survey or by writing to biz.consult@gov.bc.ca. The deadline is May 15, 2022.
Paid Sick Leave Survey | Open Until February 10, 2022
As of January 1, 2022, the provincial government mandated five days of paid sick leave for employees. ABLE BC is seeking your voice to better understand how this new policy has impacted your business since its implementation. The information you provide will support our collective industry's ongoing engagement with all levels of government.
As of January 1, 2022, the provincial government mandated five days of paid sick leave for employees. ABLE BC is seeking your voice to better understand how this new policy has impacted your business since its implementation. The information you provide will support our collective industry's ongoing engagement with all levels of government.
This survey will be open until Thursday, February 10, 2022.
ABLE BC is continuing to work with our industry partners to request logical and necessary amendments to the paid sick leave policy, including pressuring government to redefine “employment year” as a calendar year and to re-introduce the now-expired Employer Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 related sick leave wages.
Visit the FAQ to better understand this policy.
2022 Drivers License ID Checking Guides Now Available from ABLE BC
The 2022 North American ID Checking Guide Book and 14th Edition International ID Checking Guide Book are now available to order through the ABLE BC office.
The ID Checking Guide Books help you and your staff make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver's licenses and ID cards - your best protection against ID fraud. These books also help ensure you are kept updated on the latest versions of all ID formats.
The North American Guide has been updated for 2022. The International Guide has not been updated since 2021 but is valid through 2022.
Place your order for the ID Checking Guide Book by Friday, January 21, 2022 to access the group buying discount.
The 2022 North American ID Checking Guide Book and 14th Edition International ID Checking Guide Book are now available to order through the ABLE BC office.
The ID Checking Guide Books help you and your staff make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver's licenses and ID cards - your best protection against ID fraud. These books also help ensure you are kept updated on the latest versions of all ID formats.
The North American Guide has been updated for 2022. The International Guide has not been updated since 2021 but is valid through 2022.
Place your order for the ID Checking Guide Book by Friday, January 21, 2022 to access the group buying discount.
For more information on the ID Checking Guide Books, including pricing, download the FAQ produced by ABLE BC.
ABLE Annual LRS Benchmark Survey
As BC’s private liquor industry association, ABLE BC works to collect data and create an economic snapshot of the industry. ABLE is conducting the annual LRS Benchmark Survey and need feedback from private liquor stores.
The deadline to complete survey is October 27. Results will be shared with members and in the Quarterly Pour. Preliminary results will be presented at the BC Liquor Conference on October 25.
ABLE is conducting their third annual LRS Benchmark Survey and need your feedback.
As BC’s private liquor industry association, ABLE BC works to collect data for their membership and create an economic snapshot of the industry. They survey private liquor store members on an annual basis to help develop KPIs or benchmarks for your business.
Deadline to complete survey is October 27
Results will be shared with members and in the Quarterly Pour. Preliminary results will be presented at the BC Liquor Conference on October 25, 2021.
BC Liquor Conference | ABLE BC
Hosted by ABLE BC, the #1 advocate for BC’s pubs and liquor stores, this year’s conference will take place online and in-person on Monday, October 25, 2021.
No matter where you are in the province – tune in and get the liquor industry data, trends, and policy updates you can’t get anywhere else.
Hosted by ABLE BC, the #1 advocate for BC’s pubs and liquor stores, this year’s conference will take place online and in-person on Monday, October 25, 2021. No matter where you are in the province – tune in and get the liquor industry data, trends, and policy updates you can’t get anywhere else.
BC’s hospitality industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The liquor industry has been forced to adapt and drastically change in this new normal, while complying with stringent new regulations that have limited your ability to operate profitably.
Join ABLE BC at the 2021 Hybrid BC Liquor Conference and get the actionable steps and knowledge you need to rebuild after COVID-19.
URGENT Survey: Impact of BC Vaccine Card - Alliance of Beverage Licensees
Industry organizations want to better understand how the Vaccine Card has impacted hospitality businesses. The goal of this survey is to understand if and how the Vaccine Card has impacted revenue, expenses, and interactions with customers in hospitality businesses. The responses will give real-world information needed to advocate for the government support businesses need to succeed.
ABLE BC in partnership with the BCRFA, BC Craft Brewers Guild, Craft Distillers Guild of BC, Wine Growers British Columbia, Restaurants Canada, and New Wave Wine Society want to better understand how the Vaccine Card has impacted hospitality businesses.
British Columbia’s vaccine card program began on September 13. The program requires proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter restaurants, movies, ticketed sporting events and many other non-essential venues.
As of October 24, those aged 12 and up will need to be fully vaccinated to access those same services and venues.
The goal of this survey is to understand if and how the Vaccine Card has impacted revenue, expenses, and interactions with customers in hospitality businesses. The responses will give real-world information needed to advocate for the government support businesses need to succeed.