Wine Economy
The recent Canadian wine and grape industry research study reveals that the economic impact of the Canadian wine industry is up 33% to an astounding $9 billion.
Such success should not be a huge surprise to 100% BC wine lovers in this province where the industry now has a $2.8 billion economic impact and is a significant driver of the BC economy.
What is impressive is that most BC wineries are small, family-owned agri-businesses (farmers) who are creating jobs (12,000 full-time in BC) along with business and tax revenue making up the $2.8 billion impact. In fact, for every bottle of 100% BC wine sold in British Columbia, $95.34 in economic activity is generated across the province (bottle of import wine creates $16.61) - 100% BC wine is almost six times more impactful than imports.
The provincial government has been front and centre in ensuring the BC wine industry can continue its contribution to the province's surplus budget by taking on a file that predecessors walked away from in frustration, and delivering on bringing provincial liquor regulations into modern times.
During one of British Columbia's most broadly engaged public consultations in its history, British Columbians, including consumer, labour, health, and industry advocates, added their voices to the comprehensive BC Liquor Policy Review and resulting report, with recommendations on how to improve the way we serve, retail, and consume alcohol in BC.
Under a planned roll-out process, the Province has implemented 65 of the 73 recommendations from Parliamentary Secretary John Yap's Liquor Policy Review, including allowing 100% BC wine sales at farmers' markets and on select grocery store shelves. In the end, it was consumers - by whom the wine industry survives - who determined through their wallets if changes made sense and delivered on the convenience and choice they asked for.
And clearly, they have spoken. Since March 2014, provincial BC VQA (certified 100% BC) market share has grown by 355,000 cases and a record high of almost 17%; BC Liquor Store sales are up by 110,000 cases; restaurants up by 48,000 cases and private liquor stores - arguably the group most concerned about greater consumer access to BC wine - up by 31% or 72,000 cases.
With a maximum of 60 BC wine industry licences out of more than 1,800 liquor retail outlets across the province, consumers continue to have choice and the opportunity to find a wine right for the occasion and price.
