Wine Law Conference November 2009
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 25 August 2009 25 August 2009
I am co-chairing a conference (with Chris Wilson of Bull Housser & Tupper) on "Winery and Wine Distribution Law." which is set for November 12 and 13 here in Vancouver. We have a great lineup of speakers from both the wine industry and the legal side. Plus we have a wine tasting scheduled for the Thursday evening with the incomparable team of Sid Cross and David Scholefield. The full program brochure is here.
There's a 50% discount on your registration fees if you are part of the winery business ... just register online but choose the student/new job option to get the discount (the winery discount is set out in the "Tuition" part of the program brochure).
Alberta Liquor Board (AGLC) Threatens BC Wineries
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 29 July 2009 29 July 2009
The Alberta liquor board (AGLC) has written to several BC wineries threatening them with criminal enforcement action if they continue shipping wine to Alberta. The letter states that shipping wine directly to individual customers in Alberta is illegal under both the federal Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act ("IILA") and the provincial Gaming and Liquor Act and Regulation. The AGLC claims that all liquor shipped into Alberta must be consigned and shipped to the AGLC. The AGLC action raises countless issues, some practical and political, as well as a number of legal issues.
John Schreiner covers the issues from the wineries perspective here.
The various legal issues (including a workaround for shipping and possible solutions) are discussed in this article on wine shipping law in Canada which I have updated to deal with the AGLC's actions.
Wine Taxes & Pricing Article in the Advocate
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 21 July 2009 21 July 2009
Time to Reform Tied House Laws?
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 08 July 2009 08 July 2009
Good article in today's Times-Colonist on the need to reform B.C. liquor laws, specifically the "tied house" restrictions which impose strict limits on business when a person owns both an interest in a liquor manufacturer (such as a winery or brewery) and a retail establishment (such as a restaurant, bar or store). These antiquated laws (which date from post-prohibition times) prevent the owner of Lighthouse Brewing in Victoria from selling his own beer in his own bar, the Podium Sports Grill. They also prevent the Bishop family from selling their own wine (made at Carbrea winery on Hornby Island) at their restaurant at Seabreeze Lodge.
As the article points out, the original purpose of these laws was to prevent vertical control of the liquor industry such that major players would not limit choice at the retail level. However, times have changed ... and there are certainly better ways to address these concerns, even if they are still valid.
Similar laws were the subject of intense criticism in Washington state, which recently reformed them so as to solve issues like the ones noted above. British Columbia could also reform its laws ... it just takes the political will to do so.
Alberta Reverses Liquor Tax Hike
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 08 July 2009 08 July 2009