Finally, after what must have been months of work The BC Government has pulled a minimum pricing policy out of thin air. For those of you who want to know it’s $5 for a pint (20oz) and $3 for a 12oz glass before tax. The rule of thumb is now 1oz of beer must cost 25¢ before tax!
Not exactly happy hour if the minimum prices are pretty much exactly where beer prices already are, in fact lots of bars are going to have to raise their prices to comply with this ludicrously high minimum level! Outside of Vancouver and Victoria pints often cost less than $5 and this is a spit in the face of all those beer-drinkers, those pubs are now breaking the law and they have no idea yet! Do you regularly buy a beer that costs less than $5 before tax? Well not for long you won’t.
The minimum wage in BC is $10.25 so there’s now no chance that the thousands upon thousands of British Columbians who earn this (or less) can even buy 2 beers (tax included), maybe even one would break the bank once a tip, income and sales taxes are added. Someone needs to tell these wealthy fools that not just rich people like to drink!
Seems that the BC government is once again the lapdog of those bar and restaurant owning corporations who were trying to derail happy hour from the get go. So to satisfy their corporate pay-masters they have introduced it in the most pathetic and toothless manner.
Check out the pretty infographic your taxes paid for on the BC government’s flickr:
They claim that this balances the health advocate nannies’ desire for alcohol to be kept away from all humans at all times and the industry who want nothing more than to get as much money out of you as legally possible; but it seems they have once again ignored those people who are the biggest and most important part of this puzzle: you - the responsible beer-loving adult. You’re getting screwed again, if you’re already paying $5.50 for a beer then it’s hardly going to make any difference to you if there’s a miniscule drop in price. I would hazard that there’s practically no chance that anywhere not already doing a $5 daily pint special to do any happy hour deal. Let me know if you find anywhere doing a happy hour special that’s noticeably different than their usual price.
I am deeply disappointed that the BC government has once again caved to big business and fear-mongers to come up with a compromise so poorly thought out they might as well not have even bothered. Feel free to read what the corporate pressure groups and their lackeys in Victoria say about it here. They are only ones happy about this.
Business as usual. Shame on Suzanne Anton and John Yap for getting our hopes up that there would be real change when so far the changes have been deeply underwhelming. Was this liquor review just a political manoeuvre to appear to be listening to the public? Do they even understand what “Happy Hour” means ? #unhappyhour
Also announced today, on a slightly more positive note, Homebrew can now be served at Family SOL events (which CAMRA campaigned for) and you can also now move your own drink from one part of a pub/restaurant to another. These are very minor housekeeping changes that should never have been against the law (or policy masquerading as law) but are welcome.
Adam Chatburn
President, CAMRA BC - Vancouver Branch
Too bad, its clear they’re not aware; lower alcohol prices bring in more money for these small businesses that depend on foot traffic.
if there are that many people with such a low wage, maybe they should stay off the sauce, maybe it is contributing to them being there in the first place.
After all their elaborate pretext of consultation, to come out with this without notice or opportunity to give feedback, never mind how atrocious and unjust a law it is, is a complete spit in the face to all parties the government had attempted to bring in the table. Disgusting!
I would like to thank our government for making life even harder for the lower class, well done. I commend you on ignoring public opinion, and making a relaxing night out more expensive.
This issue doesn’t have anything to do with the “lower class” or affordability. We’re not talking about milk and eggs here. Policies like this impede upon the ability of restaurants and pubs to promote specials that most people in North America don’t even think twice about. Just another example of over-regulation in BC.
Bob, clearly you are not struggling to survive in Vancouver. I made a good wage and still couldn’t survive let alone those on minimum wage. Leaving Vancouver was the best decision for my wallet I could make.
Bob, maybe you should get out out of your arrogant, privileged mindset, and realize that most being lower income and enjoying a beer doesn’t make you an irresponsible alcoholic. Everybody has the right to enjoy life, but many just can’t afford the luxuries that you’re lucky enough to take for granted.
Time to fire up a moonshine distillery in my back yard.
Noticed this as well. Two instances of restaurants that will have to raise their prices that immediately came to mind were Academic on Broadway (Tuesday $2 beers which are approx 10-12oz) and Indochine on E Broadway which has 7.99 house pitchers on Thurs. Many more examples I am sure. Also for spirits the mandated minimum markup for well liquor (which sells at 23.75/750ml e.g. $0.91/oz is $3/oz so a mandated 200+% markup which would be even greater when the licensee purchases larger format bottles).
Time based specials are all well and good but the minimum pricing not thought out well or as suggested in the article pushed by special interest groups.
Also, now differential pricing allowed for sub categories of patrons. Examples mentioned included discounted prices for patrons in sporting uniforms or LADIES NIGHT discounted prices for ladies. Oh great whats next, cheaper drinks for hot chicks (aka Date Rape night) but regular price for not so hot, or older patrons.
Suprised no one else has teed off on that part yet…. guess I should get on it.
Stupid stupid government.
Dont even get me started on spec products. If a small restaurant wants to stock a bottle of liqueur that is not super popular they have to order a case (or just break the law and risk a big fine by buying a bottle from a private store). For something that is essential for some cocktails but used in small quantities its hard to justify. Anyhow, glad CAMRA is calling the government on some of the shortcomings of the liquor licensing reforms.
Well, it goes to show how out of touch the province is… or how in touch they are with industry and temperance organization, and not the common Jane or Joe.
So we get to pay for “pints” that aren’t even close to 20 oz., at prices that are higher than some regular prices.
Well, about what I expect when it comes to liquor reform. One step forward, two steps back.
Bob - are you seriously suggesting that *all* people who work minimum wage do so because they’re alcoholics? Holy elitism, Batman.
Listen here BOB. The majority of the population drinks socially and responsibily. In fact persons in higher income households drink MORE than lower income households. Check your data before you make ignorant statements like that. “Lay off the sauce” like that’s the reason they can’t make more money in the wasteland of overpriced housing and underpaid workforce. Get out.
So these prices are if the bar is selling the beer correct.
so if they sell one glass and give a second glass for free…. then they have just halved the politicians minimum…… there is always a loop hole folks.
Unfortunately the rules specifically ban 2 for 1 specials.
Can we get around this a bit by having happy hour specials that specifically pair food with beer and call the difference a food discount? ie. $6 Burger & Beer when usually they’re $5 each… pretend like its a $1 burger with a $5 beer…
No, not a solution for having more than one
I guess I will stay home and drink homebrew for 50 cents a glass.
I think that’s what a lot of places were doing before.
It’s interesting that Donnelly Group has an ad in the Georgia Straight this week that pretty much has happy hour pricing which follows the new minimum pricing. I wonder how much of a hand they had in advising the Government on this file.
my NANNY susan anton thinks i will drink too much beer if the pub charges me less than 25 cents an ounce but not if i buy a 12 pack at the liquor store for 16 bucks which is about 10 cents an ounce before tax
For now… Who knows what your Nanny will do next.