CRFA's British Columbia Lobbyist
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Mark von Schellwitz Vice President, Western Canada T: 1-866-300-7675 E: mark@crfa.ca |
B.C. introduces liquor policy changes
(May 22/12) Following British Columbia’s surprise announcement in February to privatize its liquor distribution and warehousing, and conduct a review to streamline and modernize liquor regulations, CRFA has presented the industry’s perspective.
What we’ve been doing
CRFA met with Liquor Control and Licensing officials to discuss issues including:
- wholesale pricing;
- commercial caterers being granted liquor licences;
- bring-your-own wine and corkage provisions; and
- dual licensing, and municipal input in the liquor licensing process.
CRFA also wrote to the Ministers responsible for the review outlining our liquor policy priority of providing licensees access to wholesale pricing. We reiterated our support for licensing commercial caterers – as well as allowing restaurants, bars and hotels – to provide offsite liquor service. (Click here to read about our victory for caterers.) Additionally, we were asked for our views on bring-your-own wine and corkage regulations.
Next steps
The government has issued an RFP for privatizing liquor distribution and warehousing with proposals due by the end of June. A final decision on the contract will be made this fall.
Click here (PDF) to read a letter to CRFA from Minister Rich Coleman on these liquor policy changes.