Time for Government to Exit the Retail Wine Business
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 24 September 2009 24 September 2009
I wrote an op-ed piece for today's Vancouver Sun in which I argue that it's time for the BC government to get out of the retail side of the liquor and wine business. I have really only glossed over the myriad of problems in this piece but suffice to say, I think that British Columbia is long overdue for sweeping reform of both its retail liquor and wine distribution system and the related regulatory framework. Simply put: our government could make more money, grow the industry and have more effective liquor policy if it adopts broad changes. It's time to bring B.C.'s liquor laws and retail system into the 21st century - and it's a perfect Olympic legacy project.
By the way and not surprisingly, the BCGEU's president, Darryl Walker, disagrees with me on these issues (which is fine). However, in a response on his web site, he labels me "a lobbyist". Just FYI ... I am not a lobbyist and have not been paid by anybody to advance my opinions. My opinions on reform of BC wine laws are solely motivated by the fact that I am passionate about wine and care about the wine industry.
Poor Regulation of Cellared in Canada Wines in the News
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 19 September 2009 19 September 2009
British Columbia's inadequate wine laws were in the news again this weekend as the "cellared in Canada" issue got prominent coverage on CTV News, BCTV, the CBC and in the Vancouver Sun. This story is an important one because it relates to a long standing practice where some of B.C.'s largest wineries sell imported wine with misleading packaging such that consumers think that it is B.C. wine. The LDB is complicit in this because they list and display these products as being from British Columbia when in reality they consist of almost all imported juice.
The full story on the cellared in Canada controversy is on my marketing site.
BC Wine Institute - VQA Retail Issues Heat Up
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 04 September 2009 04 September 2009
BC Budget: No News is Good News
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- Written by Mark Hicken Mark Hicken
- Category: Latest News Latest News
- Published: 02 September 2009 02 September 2009
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).