Rising Tide Consultants Ltd.

08/28/2026

One trade deal. Zero agreement. Thirteen different answers on U.S. liquor.

Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. collapsed this month, after Prime Minister Carney asked provinces to consider restocking American liquor as part of a deal. Most said no.

BC + Yukon: full ban stays
Ontario: ban stays, tied to U.S. auto and steel tariffs specifically
Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador: bans stay
Quebec: boycott stays on nearly everything
New Brunswick: selling only old stock, not restocking
Saskatchewan: keeps U.S. liquor, 50% markup starting September 8
Alberta: no restrictions at all
NWT + Nunavut: stopped ordering U.S. product

New tariffs also hit food, equipment and supply costs for restaurants starting September 8. The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association is warning of added pressure on an already strained industry.

08/27/2026

Rising Tide Consultants is a small business. However, we are going to do our part given the current trade situation with the United States. We have stopped purchasing supplies & equipment from the United States, including Costco, Amazon, Staples & other American suppliers.

I am looking forward to the day in about two and a half years when hopefully we are once again entre amis / between friends.

08/25/2026

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy said:

“We cannot negotiate with those who say, ‘What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is negotiable.’”

He was speaking about the Berlin Crisis and the principle that genuine negotiation requires both sides to come to the table willing to negotiate, not simply demand concessions.

65 years later, those words feel remarkably relevant as Canada navigates its relationship and trade negotiations with the United States.

There is a difference between negotiation and capitulation. A fair agreement requires respect, reciprocity, and compromise from both sides.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/19/2026

BC pulled American beer, wine and spirits off liquor store shelves in 2025. At the same time, the province set up an exemption letting BC wineries import grapes and juice from Washington, Oregon and California after a cold snap wiped out much of the local harvest. Close to a third of BC wineries used imported fruit as a result. It's ironic that while we're banning US liquor products, we're still importing US grapes for our own wine production.

The sale of US liquor in BC is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. But a targeted approach, allowing our closest neighbours, Washington, Oregon and California, back onto shelves, may make more sense than a blanket ban.

Curious how policy shifts like this could affect your business? Reach out. We're watching this closely.

604-669-2928 | risingtideconsultants.ca

08/14/2026

$5 beer never covered the real cost of running an event. That changes August 24, 2026.

BC just raised Special Event Permit (SEP) maximum drink prices:
🍺 Beer, cider, coolers: $7.00
🍷 Wine or champagne: $10.00
🥃 Spirits: $7.00

For years, SEP price caps barely covered the cost of the liquor itself, let alone ice, mixes, glassware, staffing, and taxes. This update finally gives event organizers some room to actually cover their costs.

Keep in mind: The 24 SEPs per year limit still applies.

Planning an event under a Special Event Permit? We can help you get the pricing and application right.

604-669-2928 | risingtideconsultants.ca

08/12/2026

Rising Tide Consultants clients receive an exclusive $50 OFF their first year of BCRFA membership.

Running a restaurant or hospitality business comes with enough challenges. You shouldn’t have to navigate them alone.

The BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA) supports hospitality operators across the province with:

• Advocacy & government relations
• 24/7 HR support
• Industry updates & regulatory alerts
• Training, education & resources
• Marketing & visibility opportunities
• Networking & industry connections

We’re proud to support BCRFA and connect our clients with resources that help keep them informed, connected and supported while building stronger hospitality businesses across BC.

Learn more and join: www.bcrfa.com

07/21/2026

Nine provinces just agreed to let manufacturers sell alcohol directly to consumers outside their home province.

It is part of a bigger push to break down interprovincial trade barriers for Canadian producers. While a few provinces are already up and running, most still need to establish their own rules before producers can begin selling directly to consumers. Each province is moving forward on its own timeline.

Same direction, different speeds. Worth watching no matter which province you manufacture in.

We'll share updates as each province rolls this out.

604-669-2928 | risingtideconsultants.ca

07/13/2026

Congratulations to our past and present clients, the Fairmont Empress ( #1) and Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel ( #6) on once again being recognized among Canada's Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure

Year after year, these properties continue to set the standard for luxury hospitality through exceptional guest experiences, outstanding service, and a commitment to excellence.

It's a privilege to have worked alongside organizations that consistently raise the bar for Canadian hospitality. Congratulations to both teams on another well-deserved achievement!

07/07/2026

The Province of BC has announced that eligible businesses with approved FIFA World Cup temporary patios can now apply to extend their patio until September 7, 2026.

Planning to extend your patio? Remember that approvals are not automatic and applications must be submitted before your current authorization expires.

Questions? Contact our team.

604-669-2928 | risingtideconsultants.ca

06/29/2026

Ontario just consolidated its alcohol manufacturer taxes into single rates for beer, spirits, and wine. The changes took effect April 1, but reporting was deferred. If you're an Ontario alcohol producer, your April, May, and June returns are all due by August 20. No interest or penalties if you file on time.

Tax changes like this affect your bottom line and your compliance obligations. We can help you navigate both.

604-669-2928 | risingtideconsultants.ca