WHAT HAS ABLE DONE FOR ME LATELY?
by Mariana Fiddler, Executive Director, ABLE BC

Members of ABLE’s board and I are often asked the question, “What has ABLE done for me lately?” I can empathize with how much information comes at you on a daily basis, so I try to capture a summarized version of our activities through The Publican magazine. 
As you are aware, ABLE does not represent the issues from an individual operator, but represents industry as a whole to government in an advocacy role to promote a responsible liquor industry, provincial stability, and growth for our industry.
It has taken a few years to develop a concrete rapport with government, and I am pleased and quite proud to report that today government looks to ABLE for input, ideas, and vision to assist them with their respective deliverables. With this in mind, I would like to summarize what ABLE is currently working on, and what has been accomplished on behalf of our members since ABLE’s inception in March of 2004.

IN PROGRESS
Smoking
ABLE wrote the Ministry of Health upon the announcement of a provincial smoking ban for 2008. Our request to government was to grandfather the existing designated smoking rooms (DSRs). We received an unfavourable response from the Disease Prevention Division of the Ministry, clearly indicating that government is proceeding with the provincial ban. We still do not have a response on how far away smokers have to be from a door entry or window. At this time government is allowing smoking on patios; however, I believe that the individual municipalities will attempt to pass bylaws that restrict the consumption of food in these areas. ABLE is now sourcing a legal opinion regarding the grandfathering of existing DSR’s, and we will be tabling this issue in our upcoming meeting with the Solicitor General, Honourable John Les. 

Enforcement
Since 2002 we have been working on the elimination of the requirement to ID anyone under 25. Much time and effort was dedicated to this initiative and many meetings were undertaken with government to discuss the negative impact of this regulation. We were elated to see the change to this regulation last month.
The announcement that government is proposing legislation that would make it an offence for minors to access alcohol using fake ID is great news. This indicates that government acknowledged ABLE’s recommendation regarding the lack of accountability and consequence for minors using fake ID.
On behalf of Industry ABLE was asked to submit recommendations to the current penalty schedule and compliance concerns in general. Inspector discretion is a topic we have been discussing with government for some time. We are also tabling the penalty issue of suspension vs. a monetary fine for various infractions; no other industry puts the livelihood of an entire workforce at risk, due to the error of one employee. We are also addressing Adjudicator impartiality. We are having ongoing dialogue with the General Manager, Karen Ayers on this issue.

License Transfers
Government approached ABLE to work with them to look for ways to streamline the process of transferring a liquor license. The goal is to start the transfer process earlier during the selling process and have the transfer completed prior to the sale of the liquor primary. Changes to this process would also address the concern in situations when there is enforcement action pending against the vendor’s liquor license. This project should reveal changes by the beginning of 2008.

Liquor Distribution Branch - Wholesale Marketing Division
ABLE has been approached by the LDB to participate in the development of an online ordering system. This project will involve myself and a limited number of licensees. The newly hired Director of Wholesale Marketing liaises with our office on many issues such as developing a better rapport with industry through dialogue with ABLE, understanding our issues with respect to out of stock situations, and dealing with government store policy as it relates to our sector.

Serving It Right
There is a major rewrite being done of the S.I.R., which was originally written in 1989, with only regulatory updates added. ABLE is working with LCLB and go2 (the organization that delivers the certification) to develop a more meaningful e-learning tool, as the Solicitor General will be changing the requirement for certification. The current 120-day grace period will be eliminated and it will eventually be mandatory to have the certification prior to entering the hospitality industry. ABLE has also consulted with members to obtain input into the written material. The new program will be launched in June 2007.

Empty Container Handling Fee for ABLE Members 
This project was a collaborative effort with Canada National Brewers, Brewers Distributors, and ABLE. Please see the media release included in the magazine for further details.

Conference 2007
I am part of a conference committee that is currently planning this fall’s conference. We are extremely pleased to have BCRFA (BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association) on board with ABLE and BCYHA to plan a consolidated event filled with educational, networking and social components. As details come available, they can be accessed on ABLE’s homepage by clicking the BC Hospitality Industry Conference & Exposition logo.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Discount
• A further increase in discount from 13% - 16% was realized in January this year. Over the years ABLE has worked with government to increase the Licensee Retail Store discount from 10% -16%.

PST Liquor Audits
ABLE worked with the Ministry of Small Business & Revenue to bring member concerns to government regarding liquor PST audits. As a result of our dialogue and workshops, the following changes have taken place:
• An informational sheet has been created entitled “Liquor Audits - What to Expect” (www.gov.bc.ca/sbr)
• Effective February 27th audit assessments of liquor licensees for variances between the amount of tax remitted on liquor sales and the amount expected will be reduced from a six-year period to three years
• An “Audit Tips” bulletin was produced from ABLE’s committee to assist operators with required documentation in preparation for an audit

Enforcement
• Requirement to ID under 25 was reverted back to the legal age of 19

Retail
• Negotiated .5 km separation between retail locations
• Ability to move retail stores - no longer need to be attached to liquor primary
• Removal of size restriction on licensee retail stores
• No further refrigeration in government liquor stores
• Sales of lottery products in retail stores
• Moratorium on new LRS applications remains in place
• Availability of Flavours magazine for your patrons (where applicable)
• Credit card use reinstated for liquor purchases

Liquor Primary
• Later closing hours for liquor primary with local government approval
• Increase in seating to fire capacity with no local government approval
• Relaxed advertising policy with respect to products
• Full lottery products in liquor primary venues

Smoking
• Worked with the provincial government to allow for WCB-designated smoking rooms when a provincial ban was proposed

Change in the liquor industry is inevitable and with many challenges still ahead unity is the best way to tackle the issues of common concern. I am delighted to hear from operators that are meeting or writing their respective MLAs, as ABLE needs that support so our message is heard from all around the province when government caucus meets. 
Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet in dealing with the challenges we face, such as the continued lobbying for alcohol in grocery stores. It takes continued dialogue with government, one consistent message, and the support of industry as a whole to get the job done. If you are not currently a participating member, it is in your business’ best interest to be; if you already are a member…your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Mariana Fiddler is the Executive Director of ABLE and can be reached at mfiddler@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560.