With summer in full swing and more British Columbians and visitors taking the time to enjoy all of our province’s beautiful outdoor offerings, it is important to remember that alcohol should not always be in the mix.

“We are disappointed with the approach Alberta has taken with recent changes to its markup rates for craft beer, which create an unfair advantage for Alberta beer at the expense of the 118 craft breweries we have here in British Columbia.

Municipalities, regional districts and First Nation governments throughout B.C. have 15 more business days to apply for the B.C. Small Business Roundtable’s 2016 Open for Business Awards.

The governments of Québec, Ontario and British Columbia will work together to ensure consumers have greater choice, convenience and expanded access to wines produced in their provinces.

The Province has taken significant action to modernize British Columbia’s regulatory regime, streamline processes and enhance access to services, according to the fifth annual report on regulatory reform.

The Province is taking steps to ensure all new or updated government laws and regulations consider the regulatory impact on citizens and small businesses, as part of its commitment to cut red tape and improve the way British Columbians interact with their government.

The Province is supporting increased consumer choice and encouraging the growth of B.C. small businesses by modernizing policy to allow any establishment that sells liquor to provide samples in a socially responsible manner.

The year was 1921: B.C.’s population was a modest 525,000, prohibition against alcohol was over, and the very first nine government liquor stores opened their doors on June 15.

Applications are now being accepted for this year’s Open for Business Awards, which highlight the efforts of municipalities, regional districts and First Nations governments to grow small businesses in their communities and share their successes with others.