Minister Rich Coleman announced changes today that will help support rural agency stores, while continuing to build on recent revisions to the current liquor laws in British Columbia.

Building on a commitment to help rural agency stores succeed, the Province has worked with the Rural Agency Store Advisory Society (RASAS) to negotiate a discount on their liquor purchases. Effective April 28, 2013, rural agency stores will enjoy a 12 per cent discount on liquor purchased from the Liquor Distribution Branch. The previous discount was 10 per cent.

This change is another step towards ensuring rural agency stores continue to serve British Columbians throughout the province and remain successful moving forward.

Quotes:

Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Rich Coleman -

"Rural agency stores told us that increasing their discount would help them serve small communities and tourist resort destinations, so we were pleased to work with them and make it happen."

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett -

"Rural businesses, such as rural agency stores, face different challenges than those faced by urban businesses. This discount will help rural agency stores continue to provide services for rural residents and tourists."

Trent Leggett, Rural Agency Store Advisory Society president -

"We appreciate this significant step forward in this Province's pledge to support rural British Columbians and their fiscal health and these small businesses applaud this move into present day economic viability. As the 'voice of responsible and sustainable rural liquor stores' the RAS Board of Directors looks forward to continuing its working relationship with this government."

Quick Facts:

• Rural agency stores allow the sale of alcohol in communities and major tourist destination resorts in B.C. too small to warrant a full service liquor outlet. The criteria for establishing a rural agency store in a tourist destination resort are:
• The proposed location is a minimum of 10 kilometres driving distance from the nearest existing liquor store.
• A rural agency store will not be authorized within city limits or within the municipal boundaries of an urban community.
• The resort is too small to warrant the establishment of a full service liquor store.
• The resort must have substantial accommodation for tourists.
• There is a suitable business to accommodate a rural agency store such as an independently owned full service general grocery store, which has been in business for at least one year, whose business is not associated in any manner with a chain store operation.
• The community must support the establishment of a rural agency store.

Media contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617