Spirited Informer ISSUE NO.3 2018

NEW AND IMPROVED LEARNING CENTRE Some highlights from our Learning and Development team CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HANDLING Tips to handle CABBIOKE the hustle and HOLIDAY A special insert celebrating bustle of the Sings its way through our first few days offering

IN THIS ISSUE STRESS holidays the holiday season recreational cannabis

myNSLC.com 2018 was a busy year for Cabbioke! HANDLING HOLIDAY STRESS

From the Workplace Health & Safety Team Make this season a bright and bountiful one by giving yourself the best present of all: Peace of mind. Turn the holidays into a happy, stress-free time by taking care of yourself, bringing balance to your work and home life and by not letting holiday worries overwhelm you. Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress • Do not be perfect; be you. One of the quickest ways to holiday burnout is to set high, unrealistic expectations for yourself. Make your plans simple and your activities doable.

• Create your wish list early. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish this holiday season. Write down your holiday goals and list out the steps you need to take to reach them. Prioritize what is important and get organized from the start. • Embrace family. Look forward to reuniting with relatives • Pace yourself. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa this holiday by sidestepping family pressures. Cherish the and New Year’s can all be busy times. Remember, the season time you spend with your loved ones, and make a better Spryfield Christmas Parade – Sunday, November 25 lasts for several weeks. Break your preparations into small effort to be as relaxed, positive and cheerful as you can. steps so you can accomplish a little each week. Delegate By Laurie Vatcher, CSR Coordinator responsibilities with others, and do not be afraid to ask for help. • Reflect on past holidays. Think back to moments you It’s been a busy year for Cabbioke! We participated in 24 have treasured during past holiday seasons and try to parades, 26 community events, and visited 62 NSLC stores. In • Budget wisely. It is easy to buy on credit and ignore the recapture the essence of what made those times special. bills until after the holidays, but spending within your means addition, we handed out taxi vouchers that gave people $10 off their next cab ride with any of our 18 cab partners throughout requires a disciplined approach. Set a holiday budget limit • Celebrate safely. One of the keys to holiday happiness . ahead of time and determine exactly what you can afford. is celebrating in moderation. Give your body a gift this year by treating it with respect. Try not to overindulge We’ve participated in nine Christmas parades including two • Get into the spirit. Deck the halls. Build a snowman. If you in sweets and goodies. Know your limits when it comes new ones: Amherst and Glace Bay. Almost 200 volunteers have a tree, decorate it early. Too often adults miss out on to alcohol, and never attempt to drive if you have been joined us throughout the year and passed out treats to parade- the simple pleasures of celebrating the holidays and truly drinking. goers and sang and danced their way through the streets of enjoying the moment. many communities spreading the message of “ending your • Make New Year’s resolutions. Setting goals challenges night on a great note”. • Take time out for yourself. Too often the holidays feel us to aim for higher fulfilment and self-improvement. Parade of Lights – Saturday, November 17 rushed and exhausting. Unwind and pamper yourself with a Give yourself something to look forward to next year. When this publication went to print, we only have pictures of the break from the action. Try relaxation techniques, meditation Stick to these resolutions and ask others to continue to first four holiday parades: Halifax, Spryfield, Bridgewater and and deep breathing exercises. Spend one quiet evening a encourage you to keep your goals. Amherst. Be sure to check out the Cabbioke page on Swizzle to week away from the hustle and bustle of your hectic routine. see more pictures by going to About Us > CSR > Cabbioke. Do something you really want to do. • Talk to someone who cares. If you feel bogged down Sign up sheets for Summer 2019 parades will be available in by a case of the holiday blues, do not suffer through the late March. Look for communication on Swizzle for the link to • Gift of yourself. One of the best gifts you can give yourself season. Reach out and talk to someone you trust. the signup sheets. As always, feel free to suggest parade or during the holidays is self-sacrifice. Try to find time during the community events in your area. We will do our best to get to as season to volunteer your services at a local community centre, Source: Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) many as possible! soup kitchen or charity organization. Doing things for others can bring a real sense of inner warmth and self-worth that is more valuable than all the presents piled under your tree. New Cabbioke Website Amherst Christmas Parade – Saturday, November 17 Yarmouth team holds benefit for fellow friend and colleague In October, a few members of our Yarmouth team came together to host a benefit fundraiser for their colleague Kim Lynk, a long-time team member who is in her own battle against cancer. It was a huge success with lots of money being raised to help Kim The new and improved site at Cabbioke.ca allows users to in her fight. view photos from previous Cabbioke parades, see a schedule for upcoming events, and makes it easier for businesses to A big thank you to the team for showing what great request a Cabbioke visit. Visit Cabbioke.ca and see for yourself. care and collaboration can do to help a fellow co- worker and friend. Left to right - Elizabeth Wilson, Lynn Cottreau, Kim If you would like more information on upcoming Cabbioke Bridgewater Christmas Parade – Saturday, November 24 Lynk, Shelley Huby, Dianne Dugas, Racheal Allen parades or to sign up, please email [email protected]. and Denise Belliveau Surette

1 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 2 EMPLOYEES SHOW SOME HALLOWEEN SPIRIT SWIZZLE 101

Happy holidays everyone! Thank you for your engagement on Swizzle over the last year as we moved into a new, Logging into Swizzle Thank you to everyone who shared Halloween photos! mobile-friendly version. People have told us they love being able to use Swizzle to read news or check blogs from their on your Mobile Device phones or tablets. We’ve recently welcomed a lot of new Downsview Plaza Quinpool and Joseph Howe team members. Here are some tips to help you get started on Swizzle. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to email [email protected]. Greg White – Digital Communications Specialist

You can access Swizzle any time from your smartphone, Receiving Alerts computer or tablet. Just follow these instructions. Don’t miss a beat with everything that goes on in Swizzle 1. Go to mynslc.sharepoint.com news. By subscribing to Alerts, you will be notified by email 2. Enter your NSLC username login credential whenever a news item is posted. Alerts can be customized (last name + first [email protected]) and are a great way to stay up to date. Just follow these simple steps: 1. Go to Swizzle news. Sarah Sturgeon, Marika Williams, Bill Richards, Brenda Paul Guardia (Quinpool), Hannah Fougere (Quinpool), Courtney MacNeil, and Leona Handspiker Campbell (Quinpool) and Megan Hubley (Joseph Howe). 2. On the right-hand side of the screen, click “Alert Me”. Springhill Mill Cove

3. Fill out the form on how and when you would like to receive alerts. 4. Hit “OK” and you’re all set up!

3. You will be brought to the NSLC Office 365 login portal. Enter your login credentials again. Your login credentials Weekly Round Up are the same as the ones you use to login to your NSLC Did you know that we have email account. a page on Swizzle where we host all Weekly Round Up messages? The Weekly Annette Morrison, Sarah Cameron and Kara Scott Zack Harrison Chris Snell Round Up is sent to stores every Friday to share some of the announcements and Fall River activities that happened throughout the week. To see one you may have missed, go to News > Weekly Round Up and you will be able to access all of the messages since 2016. The team dressed up as the cast from Alice in Wonderland.

Craig Simon, 4. You’re in! Melody Gouthro, DC News As always, if you need any assistance logging into Swizzle, Tammy Isenor, We have a page on Swizzle where we host all DC please contact the Service Excellence Centre or talk to Jackie McCullough, News presentations from the past year. DC News is your manager. Shelley Rogers, broadcast to the Distribution Centre lunchroom TV and Brian Horne and shares Swizzle news items and other announcements. Erica Brown If you would like to see a past presentation, simply go to News > DC News. Our Blogs Here are some tips when accessing our blogs on Swizzle. • From the Swizzle homepage, all recent blogs are shown, but older posts need more steps to be viewed. • If you want to see all blogs in a specific category, go to News 2018 United Way Campaign > Our Blogs and click the blog you would like to read. Once in, We wrapped up our annual United Way campaign on Sunday, you can scroll down to read more posts. November 11. After 71 payroll program donations, 11 Community Chest donations, six casual days, a bake sale and a cupcake sale, we raised $15,456 or a little over 85% of our $18,000 goal. A sincere thank you to our generous donors and volunteers for all your help! If you have a fun and interesting story to share on Swizzle, please email it to [email protected]

3 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 4 Let Your Voice be Heard – Join the Employee Voice Panel Exceptional employee experiences make

By Michele Doucet – each survey, CRA will collect the exceptional customer experiences Manager, Organizational responses and provide a summary Development of the results. At no time will an By Craig Sampson – We believe this is how HR can really add value to the business – employee’s name be shared with VP Human Resources by continuing to attract and grow top talent to the NSLC and by We created the Employee any information they provide. As an creating exceptional experiences that energize and engage our I’m Craig Sampson, VP Voice to provide you with independent research organization, employees. of Human Resources. I a way to give feedback on CRA guarantees to respect your joined the NSLC team in Recently the HR team spent a few days together to talk about topics that are important privacy and you can be assured that your individual the spring of this year. our purpose, both individually and as a support function to to you as an NSLC responses will be kept confidential. employee. The last six months on the organization. We accomplished a lot and came out with a the job have been a renewed focus on partnership with operational leadership and The Employee Voice offers whirlwind, as I’m sure a new understanding of customer service. We focused on the an easy way for you to take they have been for you importance of relationships and leadership development across part in online mini-surveys too, given our busy the organization. on a wide range of workplace topics. Our leadership team and Add your voice with others summer and cannabis We are in the process of changing to an ‘HR Business Partner’ the employee opinion survey committee use the results of the who are already members of launch. survey to get greater insight into your views. You’ll have an model – this means HR will be more closely engaged with opportunity to provide feedback and to share your ideas to help the Employee Voice Panel. When I started in the role, my first priority was to get in our operational leadership and supporting the Customer Experience make our organization an even better place to work. stores and Distribution Centre and start asking the team vision of supporting our teams on the front lines. We will be You can join the Employee Panel questions. Are you energized? Engaged? Do you enjoy your adding capabilities to our Recruitment, Learning & Development, The Employee Voice is managed by Corporate Research by visiting Swizzle: Teams > Human Resources > work? Do you have the tools to do your job? Organizational Development and Health & Safety teams to Associates (CRA), an independent survey firm here in Nova Scotia. Employee Surveys > Employee Voice support this new service model. I was immediately impressed by the passion and commitment The Employee Voice is open to any NSLC employee who of our people across the organization. It was clear that the The HR team is excited about the path ahead and the opportunity wishes to register with CRA as part of the panel. Following team takes great pride in helping our customers in every to connect more closely with our employees. Expect to see more interaction, whether loading pallets or recommending a of the HR team in your store or business unit going forward as we wine pairing for dinner. I continue to be impressed with the execute on our new way of supporting the business. commitment of our people and how we model our KORE I’m grateful for this opportunity and extremely proud of the Values. I owe a lot of people a debt of gratitude for the warm team I have been asked to lead. I look forward to great things to welcome and patience as I get up to speed on our rich history. come for us. As 2018 draws to a close, I would like to take this New and Improved Learning Centre A phrase we have been using in HR lately is “exceptional opportunity to wish you and your families, Happy Holidays and employee experiences make exceptional customer experiences”. all the very best in 2019! By Christy Pippy – We will continue to make improvements. Some of the things Learning and Development we are working on now include: Specialist • Updating all our courses so they can be completed on After months of your phone or tablet when it is convenient for you preparation, I am pleased • Offering more webinar-style courses so you can attend to welcome you on behalf learning with a subject expert in real-time where you are of the Learning and • Providing an expanded learning catalog of courses that Development team to our will be of interest to you new Learning Centre! • Sending email reminders about courses in your plan As a team, we have coming due to help keep you on track listened to your feedback We’re excited to have you log-in and take a look around. You’ll and have upgraded to hear more about the system and what’s new in the coming weeks a new system platform as we continue to evolve the learning we can offer to you. for learning. Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding as we undertook this change, and a big thank If you have any question or concerns, please continue to email you to all the employees who helped us along the way. us at [email protected]. Our new system, SABA Cloud, went live on September 4. This system enables us to deliver more reliable online learning, and webinars, and to create completions reports for employees across the business. Some of things you can expect in this new system are: They know how to have fun too! Your HR team enjoys some teambuilding at the Alexander Keith’s Brewery. • A modern and intuitive interface • Improved reporting and real-time data on your course status or completed learnings • Improved reporting and real-time data for managers on their Human Resources hits the road for ‘Project Kaboom’ team’s completions status using the MY TEAM tab In the summer, members of the HR team hit the road • Employees can track their own training transcripts quickly and were tasked with visiting at least two stores each and easily using the MY PLAN function per week. We wanted to meet some new teams, gain • Better quality course materials; better suited to our diverse a better understanding of retail operations, and come team members back with some exciting stories about what our folks • Easier access with the same email and password as your are up to across the organization. personal email and Swizzle The HR team talked with over 300 team members and • More convenience with mobile ready access – you can collected some really amazing stories about our people. download the app for iPhone and Android devices! Once a week, we got together, posted names and pictures of our adventures and shared stories from the week on what we call the ‘kaboom board’. The team had an amazing time and made some great new connections. Thank you to everyone who hosted us in their stores!

5 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 6 NSLC takes on Sport Nova Cash Can Update The results are in for our cash can program from P1 to DON’T TAKE THE BAIT Scotia’s Corporate Games P5. To date, we’ve raised a remarkable $21,175 for local non-profits like the Canadian Cancer Society, Habitat for For the second year, team members from our stores, DC and Humanity and Feed Nova Scotia. The lucky recipients for Head Office participated in Sport Nova Scotia’s Corporate By Sean Ryan – Loss Prevention Specialist 2019 will be announced in early January. Games to show other organizations what we’re made of. The A few years back, Store Manager Darren Smith (Portland teams had lots of fun and laughs and are already looking With more than 300 individual cash locations and more Street) was working a very busy December 23 evening on cash forward to next year. than 1.6 million purchases in an average month, our Cash when he was asked to take the phone to speak to an angry Can program provides registered charities an opportunity Three NSLC teams – Dark ‘n Stormy, Mai Tai and Moscow customer. The customer was calling from a cell phone that was to collect customers’ spare change. Mule – raised a total of $847.50 and showed how some healthy breaking up intermittently and the store was very busy and competition can support a fantastic cause. A big thank you to all loud, making it difficult for Darren to hear the customer clearly. participants. You represented us well! Darren was only getting bits and pieces of the customer’s side of the conversation but was able to gather that the customer had recently purchased two bottles of wine from the house Head Office potlucks in wine section and was not at all happy with them. support of Feed Nova Scotia Darren identified himself as the Store Manager and explained that the store background noise and the poor cellular For the second year, teams from Head Office hosted three connection were making it very difficult to hear the customer themed potlucks in October and November in support of clearly; but if he wanted to bring back the wine at his Feed Nova Scotia. The Finance team offered pub fare, Human convenience, Darren would take care of him. The next thing Resources and Information Technology teamed up to create an Darren heard was silence – the customer had hung up. amazing poutine bar and the Customer Strategy team hosted a Game Day spread. More than $1,000 was raised and donated One evening approximately five months later, Darren was directly to Feed Nova Scotia. called to cash to deal with a very unhappy customer. As Left to right: Karen Skerry, Left to right: Peggy Darren arrived and before he could say anything, the Matt Conrad, Kelli Dahl, MacIsaac, Erin Sheppard, customer looked at Darren and said, “I don’t like you!”. Darren Terry MacGregor, Beth Christy Pippy, Barb responded by saying, “Well that’s unfortunate sir, how may Martin, Eugene Marshall Buchanan, Corey Stewart I help?” The customer explained that he had purchased some house wine in December and that when he called the Darren then said to the customer, “How about I give you store to complain, the employee was very rude to him on the your money back AND two more fresh bottles of wine? phone. Darren explained that it was he who spoke with the Does this seem fair to you sir?”. The customer looked at customer and that he had apologized then, but it had been Darren and said, “Ya…fine whatever.” So, Darren filled and very challenging to hear the customer clearly and he was not corked two bottles of wine and completed the refund for being rude. Darren asked the customer what he could do for the customer. him today and the customer replied, “I want a refund and a A little while later, the customer returned to the store $500 gift certificate”. and asked for Darren. The customer told Darren he tried Darren took a deep breath, reminded himself this was not very hard to get Darren upset but was unsuccessful. The personal and chose to kill the customer’s negativity with customer was very surprised how Darren was able to kindness. Darren took the bottle of wine, opened it and remain calm and professional with him the entire time and poured some out. As he was doing so, it was obvious that thought he should tell Darren “Good Job”! Maybe that Let to right: Sharon Kelly, Heather Bennett, Daphne Sleigh, was this person’s way of apologizing after having time to (Left) Matt Conrad Eugene Marshall the wine had gone bad. In fact, Darren noticed that the inside Jennie Brewer, Kate Palmer, Karen Matthews Strickland, consider his own behaviour. (Right) Eugene Marshall of the bottle had been covered in mold; likely a result of the Veronica MacIsaac and Barry Fewer. customer not cleaning the bottles properly. Darren began by By remaining calm and staying focussed on the issue and not attempting to explain some of the different factors that can the person, Darren resolved the issue. Making the customer affect the wine’s quality and the importance of ensuring that feel like an ally is the best way to deal with these issues bottles are sterilized first. However, Darren could see that and keep them from escalating. You may not always win the this wasn’t working so he just politely and sincerely asked customer over like Darren did when they come fishing for a Cheitcamp wins friendliest team Three more stores in line for the customer, “Sir, what can I do for you to make you happy”. fight, but you’ll be sure to lose if you take the bait. Congratulations to the Cheticamp team who were Darren said it looked like the customer was thinking “Drop recognized at the first Price Community Excellence Awards Signature Store renovations Dead”, but the customer replied, “Look, just give me my for friendliest staff! The Price Awards recognize small We have three more stores money back so I can get out of here.” and medium sized businesses in the Cheticamp area and soon beginning renovations celebrate the work done in the community to keep the under our Signature Store Acadian language and culture alive. banner. In the last Spirited Informer, we shared that our Shown accepting the award are Mathieu LeBrun and Leon Portland Street store had Poirier from our Cheticamp store. Merci, et félicitations à toute finished renovations. The Sustainability student researches cannabis l’équipe! three new stores will be Joseph Howe, Sydney River and Bridgewater. These stores currently feature our standard Beer, Did you know that the Corporate Wine and Spirts assortment, as well as cannabis sections. Social Responsibility team provides supervised work terms to sustainability As part of our Banner Strategy, we are aiming to better define students in Nova Scotia? The most stores across the network that fit the communities in which recent student to join the team they operate. was Emma Lawrence, a passionate fourth year sustainability student Signature Stores feature a broader product assortment, a from Dalhousie University with a Port section with premium wine and spirits, more shelving keen interest in learning more about for seasonal and one-time-only products and a cash Corporate Social Responsibility. area merchandised for a broader selection of last-minute purchases. They also have local products prominently Emma completed a research project featured. exploring how different jurisdictions in and the US are handling We will share more details on this in the months to come. cannabis waste disposal. Best of luck pursuing your Masters in Sustainability in New York, Emma!

7 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 8 ‘Here’s to You’ is all about celebrating the success and great OUR 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT HERE’S TO YOU: work that happens every day. Did you know we also have digital Here’s to You templates on Swizzle that you can use to recognize your teammates? To access these templates, go to Swizzle > About Us > Forms & Templates > Here’s to Spryfield employee You Digital templates, right click on your favourite, copy and paste it in an email. leaves heart-warming If you have any questions about the Here’s to You program, message on board email Greg White at [email protected]

On his last day with the Spryfield team, Ian Murray charmed his teammates by leaving a nice message on the Here’s to You board in the lunchroom. Thank you to Store Manager Kevin Conrod for sending this to us – we are happy to see such as beautiful and heartfelt message.

New Regional Manager Our 2017-2018 Annual Report is available online! In our ongoing effort to For Region 1 We are excited to welcome Gordie Rackley to the Regional be sustainable, the report is fully digital Manager Team. Gordie brings over 30 years of progressive leadership experience across multiple retail sectors. In and can be viewed or downloaded at his most recent role as General Manager for a global myNSLCannualreport.com technology leader, Gordie was instrumental in growing a strong culture of service excellence and employee engagement. He is leading Region 1 as John Burke, current Regional Manager – Region 1, is retiring. As he joins us at a time of transformative change, his skills and experience will Many thanks to employees across the organization who be well aligned. Welcome aboard, Gordie! participated in developing our annual report and helped to tell our story in an engaging way. New this year are videos of Bret Mitchell and some of our employees speaking directly to Nova Scotians about how we work hard to provide excellent customer service. The report also features: Elf Sightings at Bedford Place • A fantastic time-lapse video of our Distribution Centre team in action • A celebration of several employees who received STAR awards Our Bedford Place store saw some • Financial results highlighting the strong growth unusual elf activity we experienced last year with Sparkle T. Elf showing up in • An overview of the work that went into us getting unexpected places. ready to offer recreational cannabis Thank you to Store We’re proud to tell Nova Scotians about what we Manager Kelly-Ann accomplished in the past fiscal year. And as always, let Baird for sharing the us know what you think of our Annual Report. Email your pictures. questions or comments to [email protected].​

9 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 10 Our team has grown. In cannabis, we now have 42 full-time employees, approximately 90 casual Welcome Aboard employees, and are beginning to identify part-time roles as well. We also hired a lot of new team members Kelly MacNutt, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Randy Patey, Corporate Security, Loss Prevention Specialist to fill vacancies on the beverage alcohol side as employees moved into cannabis positions. This has been Kelly Hart, Bedford Place, Casual Store Clerk Rebecca Grant, Truro East, Casual Store Clerk Kelsey Young, Retail Service Centre, RSC Casual Richard Emberley, Board of Directors, Director, Board of Directors one of the busiest hiring periods in the past few decades. A warm welcome to all the new team members. Kennedy Hutchinson, Bible Hill, Casual Store Clerk Robert Simpson, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Kenneth Enman , Amherst, Casual Store Clerk Robert McGregor, Novalea, Casual Store Clerk Kevin Johnston, Clyde Street, Store Clerk Roberta Halverson, Pugwash, Casual Store Clerk Welcome Aboard Kim-Marie Alford, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Robyn Young, , Casual Store Clerk Rodney Legge, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Diane Ross, Kennetcook, Casual Store Clerk Knickolle Pitcher, Truro East, Casual Store Clerk Adam Awad, Supply Chain and Procurement, Co-op Student Ronald Ward, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Dimitri Tsimiklis, Agricola Street, Casual Store Clerk Kodi Hazlett, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk - Union Adam Coxworthy, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk Ryan Myers, Bayers Lake, Product Specialist Donald Goudey , Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kohlby Burke, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Adara Robart, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk Ryan Halliday, , Casual Store Clerk Donald Smith, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Krissy Arbuckle, The Port, Casual Store Clerk Alan Davidson, Fall River, Casual Store Clerk Ryan Nauss, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Douglas MacNeil, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Kristen Murray, Agricola Street, Casual Store Clerk Alicia Strang, West Pubnico, Casual Store Clerk Ryan Smith, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Douglas Stewart, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kristen Johnston, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk Alisa MacKenzie, Portland Street, Store Clerk Ryan Waite, Quinpool Road, Product Specialist Dryden Duprey, Kingston, Casual Store Clerk Kristina Pitts, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Alisha Veinot, , Casual Store Clerk Sam Hubley, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk Elizabeth Snowden-Roberts, Amherst Mall, Casual Store Clerk Krystal Muise, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk Alisha Miller, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Samantha Mensah-Asiedu, Barrington Street, Casual Store Clerk Elizabeth David, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Kyla Banks, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk Alison Young, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Samantha Levesque, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Elizabeth Smith, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk Kyle Isaac, St Peters, Casual Store Clerk Allison Bona, Port Hawkesbury, Casual Store Clerk Sandra Williams, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk Emily Wilson, Chester, Casual Store Clerk Laura Mitton, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk Alyssa Hurley, Amherst, Casual Store Clerk Sarah E Brown, Novalea , Casual Store Clerk Emily Connors, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk Le Tran, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk Amanda Hynes, Wyse Road, Casual Store Clerk Shane Connors, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Erick Bickerdike, Chester, Casual Store Clerk Leonard Poirier, Cheticamp, Casual Store Clerk Amanda Mabey, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Shari Bradbury, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk Erin Sheppard, Retail Service Centre, RSC Casual Lori Mombourquette, The Port, Casual Store Clerk Amber Allard, , Casual Store Clerk Shaun Allen, The Port, Casual Store Clerk Frances Thomas, Truro East, Casual Store Clerk Lori Day, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Angela Davidson Windsor, Casual Store Clerk Shawna Doherty, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Franklin Leavitt, Guysborough, Casual Store Clerk Lorraine Hodgson, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Angela Gale, Fall River, Casual Store Clerk - Union Shayna Heroux, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Gary Peitzsche, Finance, Senior Financial Analyst Lorianne Dyer, Prince Street, Casual Store Clerk Anne Marie Rivard, Bridgewater , Casual Store Clerk Shelley Joyce, Spryfield, Product Specialist Gayla Kiley, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk Luke Thordarson, Wyse Road, Casual Store Clerk Ashley Moore, Bible Hill, Casual Store Clerk Sherry Langley, Port Hawkesbury, Casual Store Clerk Glenn Butler, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk Maggie Grant, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Ashley Cassidy, Barrington Street, Casual Store Clerk Stephanie Robar, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Gloria Nelson, Amherst, Casual Store Clerk Makenzie Volente, Bedford Place, Casual Store Clerk Bethany Priest, Truro West, Casual Store Clerk Stephanie Parks, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Gordon Rackley, Customer Experience, Regional Manager Malorie Buchanan, Barrington Passage, Casual Store Clerk Betty Davis, Porter’s Lake, Casual Store Clerk Stephen Whalen-Oliver, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Gordon Dickie, Truro West, Casual Store Clerk Marcia Miller, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Brady Swinimer, Elmsdale, Casual Store Clerk Stephen Mostad, Lunenburg, Casual Store Clerk Grayson Fifoot, Barrington Street, Casual Store Clerk Marianne DeMan, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Brandon Roy, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Steven Peach, Portland Street, Store Clerk Hannah Randle, Joseph Howe Drive, Store Clerk Marika Williams, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Brandon Sawler, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Susan van den Heuvel, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk Heather Chandler, Human Resources, Human Resources Casual Marjorie Martin, Porter’s Lake, Casual Store Clerk Brandon Duguay, Truro West, Casual Store Clerk Susan Frenette, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk Henok Woldemariam, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Martine Osler, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Brenna Connely, Bayers Lake, Casual Store Clerk Tammy Sabine, Weymouth, Casual Store Clerk Holly Bond, Board of Directors, Director, Board of Directors Mary Lynass, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Brett Bailey, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Taylor Nickerson, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk Helen Gaudet, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk Mary Day, Portland Street, Product Specialist Brittany Dely, West New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Tena Fleet, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Ian Kendall, Cheticamp, Casual Store Clerk Mary Price, Louisbourg, Casual Store Clerk Brittany Leon, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk Tenaha Brothers, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Ingrid Pettipas, Barrington Street, Casual Store Clerk Matthew Thompson, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk Brody Morrisey, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Terrence Dykens, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Jacqueline Rumboldt, Oxford, Casual Store Clerk Matthew Ward, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Burglind Blei, Bedford Place, Casual Store Clerk Terri Riley, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk James Power, Sydney Mines, Casual Store Clerk Maureen McKellar, Bridgewater , Casual Store Clerk Caitlin Boutilier, Dominion, Casual Store Clerk Trevor Deg, , Casual Store Clerk James Dorey, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Maxim Roy, The Port, Casual Store Clerk Caleita Smith, Kingston, Casual Store Clerk Trevor Larkin, Distribution, Casual Warehouse James Poulain, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Melissa Walsh, Amherst Mall, Casual Store Clerk Carmen Guillena, Retail Service Centre, RSC Casual Tristan Kean, Portland Street, Store Clerk James Jewett, Amherst Mall, Casual Store Clerk Melissa Ellis, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Carol Bell, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Troy Zwicker, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Jamey Lawson, Queen Street, Casual Store Clerk - Union Melissa Hampson, Young Street, Casual Store Clerk Charlotte Mongraw, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Tyler Guest, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Jason McNamara, Port Hawkesbury, Casual Store Clerk Michael Cullen, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Cheryl Day, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Valerie Power, Truro West, Casual Store Clerk Jason Morgan, Clyde Street, Store Clerk Michael Fitzgerald, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Cheryl Waghorn, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk Valerie Cox, Shelburne, Casual Store Clerk Jazmine Sampson, Novalea, Casual Store Clerk Michael Frank, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Cheyanne Thompson, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Victoria Page, Windsor, Casual Store Clerk Jennifer Croutch, Young Street, Casual Store Clerk Michael Daye, Bayers Lake, Casual Store Clerk Christine Rogers, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Wanda Finigan, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk – Union Jennifer Himmelman, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Michael Keating, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk Christopher Trites, Lunenburg, Casual Store Clerk Jennifer Parlee, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Milinda Hedges, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk Cindy MacDonald, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk Jessica Tighe, Prince Street, Casual Store Clerk Mitchell Duggan, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Clayton Willie, Bayers Lake, Casual Store Clerk Promotions Jessica Steele, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Monica Sears, Wyse Road, Casual Store Clerk Cory Sullivan, Bible Hill, Casual Store Clerk Adam Waterfield, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk - Union Jessica Herman, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk Monte Morrison, Weymouth, Casual Store Clerk Craig Miller, Truro West , Casual Store Clerk Agnes Morris, Bayers Lake, Casual Store Clerk - Union Jon Pollitt, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Morgan Strang, Distribution, Casual Warehouse Crystal MacDonald, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Alexander Cleveland, Quinpool Road, Casual Store Clerk - Union Julian Peck, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk - Union Nadine Williams, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Cynthia Taylor, Quinpool Road, Casual Store Clerk Alexander Johnson, Clyde Street, Store Clerk Julie Laffin, West New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Natalia Tomczyk, Elmsdale, Casual Store Clerk Daksh Dua, Young Street, Casual Store Clerk Alexander van den Heuvel, Antigonish, Product Specialist Justine MacPhee, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk Nathan Wentzell, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk Dallas Murray, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk Alison Hennigar, Downsview Plaza, Store Clerk Karen Skerry, Customer Experience, Manager - Business Integration Nathan Janson, Queen Street, Casual Store Clerk Daniel Pelletier, , Casual Store Clerk Amy Cochrane, Customer Strategy, Product Management Specialist - Cannabis Karen Hazelden, Bayers Lake, Casual Store Clerk Nektarios Wicha, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Daniel Pinto, Truro East, Casual Store Clerk Annette Morrison, Springhill, Casual Store Clerk - Union Karen Weagle, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Nicholas Farrell, New Waterford, Casual Store Clerk Danielle Cormier, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk Andrew McInnis, Queen Street, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kari Smith, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk Nicole Braniff, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Darlene Fleet, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Andrew Zima, Distribution, Casual Warehouse - Union Karleigh MacIntosh, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Nicole Smith, Hantsport, Casual Store Clerk Daryl Doyle, LeBlanc, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk Antron Smith, Distribution, Maintenance Worker Katelyn Gunn, , Casual Store Clerk Ntina Panagopoulos, Spryfield, Casual Store Clerk David Gallant, Wyse Road, Casual Store Clerk Ariana Jones, , Casual Store Clerk - Union Katelyn Clarke, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Patrick MacIntosh, Barrington Street, Product Specialist David Dezan, Stellarton, Casual Store Clerk Beverley Simmons, New Waterford, Store Clerk Katherine Socha-Tufts, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk Patrick MacKinnon, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk David Watling, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk Brett Jordan, Fall River, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kathryn Tompkins, Stewiacke, Casual Store Clerk Paul Monahan, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk David Trenholm , Amherst Mall, Casual Store Clerk - Union Brian Gushue, Bayers Lake, Store Clerk Katie MacKenzie, Information Technology, Business Systems Analyst Paulette Eisenhauer, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk Dawn Fancy, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk Brittany Sarty, Mahone Bay, Casual Store Clerk - Union Keagan MacInnis, Prince Street, Casual Store Clerk Penelope Hughes, Kingston, Casual Store Clerk Denise Maidment, New Waterford, Casual Store Clerk Cadence Doherty, Barrington Street, Store Clerk Kelly Webb, Portland Street, Casual Store Clerk Premni Tharshanna, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk Derryck Birch, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk Rachel Dulude, Elmsdale, Casual Store Clerk Cameron Tower , Pugwash, Casual Store Clerk - Union

11 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 12 Promotions Service Awards

Candice Parker, New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk - Union Katie Dunford, Sydney River, Store Clerk CELEBRATING 5 YEARS Carmene Robicheau, Weymouth, Manager I Katy Jodrey, Bridgewater, Store Clerk OF SERVICE Chad Webber, Guysborough, Casual Store Clerk - Union Keegan Reid, Joseph Howe Drive, Store Clerk Jennifer Aker, Wholesale Operations Charlene Moss, Sydney River, Store Clerk Kelly Giberson, Supply Chain and Procurement, Supply Chain Clerk VI Emma Spawn, Sydney River Leslee Fredericks, Annapolis Chelsea Donovan, , Casual Store Clerk - Union Kelsey MacQuarrie, Inverness, Casual Store Clerk - Union Michele Doucet, Human Resources Cherie Foster, North Sydney, Store Clerk Kerry Adams, Pugwash, Casual Store Clerk - Union Laura Collett, Distribution Centre Cheril LeBlanc, Wyse Road, Store Clerk Kim Thomson, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk - Union Cheryl Sears MacDonald, Antigonish, Store Clerk Krista Hyland, Supply Chain and Procurement, Replenishment Specialist Christine Leadbetter, Truro West, Store Clerk Kristy Snow, Joseph Howe Drive, Store Clerk CELEBRATING 10 YEARS Christine Peters, Sydney River, Product Specialist Lara Luer, Bedford Place, Casual Store Clerk - Union OF SERVICE Pius Walker, Customer Strategy Christine Cameron, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk - Union Laura Keizer, Bayers Lake, Store Clerk Wendy MacAskill, Customer Strategy Claire Scaddan, West New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk - Union Laura Anderson, Sydney River, Store Clerk Jeff Moody, Berwick, 35 years of service Beth Martin, Corporate Social Responsibility, Stephen MacLeod, Welton Street 30 years of service Colin Hiltz, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk - Union Lesley Quinn, The Port, Product Specialist Brenda Rankin, Port Hood Conal Lucey, Clyde Street, Casual Store Clerk - Union Lisa Mombourquette, Glace Bay, Assistant Manager Judy Kehoe, Customer Experience Cory Lannon, New Waterford, Store Clerk Lori Westhaver, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk - Union Wanda Fraser, West New Glasgow Courtney Gilbert, Spryfield, Casual Store Clerk - Union Lorraine Isnor, New Minas, Store Clerk Bill Metcalfe, Glace Bay Courtney Baker, Portland Street, Store Clerk Margaret Scott, Distribution, Casual Warehouse - Union Keir Murray, Pictou Courtney Yakimchuck, Sydney River, Store Clerk Maureen Allen, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk - Union Jennifer Russell, Tantallon Cynthia Fraughton, Yarmouth, Casual Store Clerk - Union Megan Hubley, Joseph Howe Drive, Casual Store Clerk - Union Susan Slaunwhite, Clyde Street Daniel Clark, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk - Union Melita Gerrard, Sheet Harbour, Casual Store Clerk - Union Shelley Huby, Yarmouth Daniel Crews, Distribution, Casual Warehouse - Union Merissa MacNeill, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kimberley Buchanan, Shelburne Daniel Pyke, Amherst Mall, Casual Store Clerk - Union Michael Critch, Customer Strategy, Category Analyst Alicia Davidson, Forest Hills Darren Smith, Supply Chain and Procurement, Supply Chain Clerk VI Michael Livingstone, West New Glasgow, Manager II Craig Simon, Fall River Heather Romans, Tantallon Denise Garron, Barrington Passage, Store Clerk Michael Duggan, Antigonish, Product Specialist Christopher Mitton, Customer Experience Denise Coadic, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk - Union Michael Nurse, Young Street, Store Clerk Brenda MacNeil, Downsview Plaza Derek Avramenko, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk - Union Michael LeFort, Distribution, Warehouse Worker Paul Rapp, Customer Experience, Chris Mitton, Customer Experience, Peggy Burgess, Mahone Bay 20 years of service 10 years of service Devante Jackson, Joseph Howe Drive, Store Clerk Michelle Sarson, Amherst Mall, Store Clerk Vicki Nauss, Bridgewater Mall Dianne Langille, , Store Clerk Mindy Chisholm, Port Hawkesbury, Casual Store Clerk - Union Daniel Knickle, Supply Chain and Procurement Elizabeth Wilson, Yarmouth, Store Clerk Nikolla Daka, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk - Union Patricia Willigar, Parrsboro Elizabeth Kettlehut, Clyde Street, Store Clerk Olivia Martin, Supply Chain and Procurement, Supply Chain Clerk IV Emily Brown, Lower Sackville, Casual Store Clerk - Union Paula Clements, Sydney River, Store Clerk Eugene Marshall, Wholesale Operations, Service Excellence Coordinator Peggy MacIsaac, Finance, Accounting Clerk IV CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF SERVICE Evan Hood, Distribution, Casual Warehouse - Union Perry Butler, Truro West, Store Clerk Catherine Steele, Sydney Mines Evan Fougere, Wyse Road, Product Specialist Peter Wilson, The Port, Product Specialist Shauna MacLean, Welton Street Racheal Allen, Yarmouth, Store Clerk Faith Demond, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk - Union Jason Simmonds, Portland Street Fallon MacDonald, New Glasgow, Store Clerk Rhiley Coward-Bullen, Wyse Road, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kirk Williamson, Prince Street Fawn Richardson, Truro West, Store Clerk Rianna Maidment, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kelly Tucker, Spryfield George Rhuland, Queen Street, Casual Store Clerk - Union Ricardo Jebailey, Larry Uteck, Casual Store Clerk - Union Leona Handspiker, Downsview Plaza Gerald LeBlanc, Cheticamp, Casual Store Clerk - Union Richard Hill, Kingston, Casual Store Clerk - Union Stephen MacLeod, Welton Street Brenda Rankin, Port Hood Glenda Powell, Customer Strategy, Listing Coordinator Robert Doiron, Clyde Street, Store Clerk Wendy MacAskill, Customer Strategy, Shelley Huby, Yarmouth, 10 years of service Hannah Fougere, Quinpool Road, Casual Store Clerk - Union Robert Meerburg, Porter’s Lake, Store Clerk Judy Kehoe, Customer Experience 10 years of service Ian Austin, Distribution, Warehouse Worker Rose Arsenault, West New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk - Union Tammy Isenor, Fall River Irene MacDonald, Downsview Plaza, Store Clerk Ryan Irwin, Scotia Square, Casual Store Clerk - Union Brenda Williams, Sydney Mines Dianna O’Neill, Alderney Landing Jakke Charni, Bayers Lake, Product Specialist Ryan Harris, Distribution, Casual Warehouse - Union Michael Cameron, Antigonish Janine Kempel, Supply Chain and Procurement, Replenishment Specialist Samantha Turner, Truro West, Store Clerk Janis Arsenault, Prince Street, Casual Store Clerk - Union Samantha Lee, Facilities, Facilities Coordinator Janita MacIver, Antigonish, Store Clerk Sandy Clarke, Spryfield, Casual Store Clerk - Union CELEBRATING 20 YEARS Jason Murphy, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk - Union Sara Seaboyer, Spryfield, Casual Store Clerk - Union OF SERVICE Jeff Fedora, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk - Union Sarah Sturgeon, Downsview Plaza, Casual Store Clerk - Union Darren Sampson, Tacoma Drive Glen Aker, Prince Street Jeffrey Rankin, Port Hawkesbury, Casual Store Clerk - Union Scott MacPherson, Sydney River, Casual Store Clerk - Union Denise Belliveau Surette, Yarmouth Jenna Gordon, West New Glasgow, Casual Store Clerk - Union Shari Crouse, Truro West, Store Clerk James Ross, Welton Street Jeremy Archibald, Customer Strategy, Insights Team Lead Shawna Murray, Downsview Plaza, Store Clerk Robert MacDonald, Quinpool Road Jessica Montgomery-Grasse, Westville, Casual Store Clerk - Union Shelby Morrison, New Glasgow , Casual Store Clerk - Union Paul Rapp, Customer Experience Jessica Ross, Windsor, Casual Store Clerk - Union Sherry Graves, Pictou, Manager II Daniel Knickle, Supply Chain, Jennifer Aker, Wholesale Operations, Jessica Morse, Kingston, Casual Store Clerk - Union Sonya Pedneault, Truro East, Casual Store Clerk - Union 10 years of service 5 years of service Jillian Smith, Portland Street, Store Clerk Stephen Ford, Customer Strategy, Associate Category Manager, Cannabis CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SERVICE Jordan Aucoin, Distribution, Warehouse Worker Susan Sprague, Alderney Landing, Casual Store Clerk - Union Leonard Kehoe, Louisbourg Jordell Arthur, Downsview Plaza, Store Clerk Susan Drover, Sydney River, Store Clerk Jo-Ann Meldrum, Alderney Landing Joseph O’Brien, Bridgewater Mall, Casual Store Clerk - Union Tanya Townsend, , Casual Store Clerk - Union Darryl Carroll, Antigonish Julia MacLeod, Eastern Passage, Casual Store Clerk - Union Tina Burkey, Kearney Lake, Casual Store Clerk - Union Beth Martin, Corporate Social Responsibility Julie Jesso, Bridgewater, Store Clerk Tracey MacLeod, Sydney River, Store Clerk Justin Colborne, Alderney Landing, Casual Store Clerk - Union Tyler McLean, Port Hawkesbury, Casual Store Clerk - Union Justin Bowman, Supply Chain and Procurement, PWSS Specialist Victoria Tanner, Bridgewater, Casual Store Clerk - Union CELEBRATING 35 YEARS Justin Riley, Distribution, Casual Warehouse - Union William Lawson, Antigonish, Casual Store Clerk - Union OF SERVICE Katelyn Stevens, Kingston, Casual Store Clerk - Union Yvette Fisher, Tantallon, Product Specialist Jeff Moody, Berwick Kate Peters, Head of Jeddore, Casual Store Clerk - Union Zachary Goldsmith, Chester, Casual Store Clerk - Union Kathie MacKenzie-Cole, Amherst Mall, Store Clerk Zafirios Bistekos, Young Street, Casual Store Clerk – Union Retirements Kathleen Pinch, New Minas, Casual Store Clerk - Union David Johnson, Bible Hill, 35 years Michele Doucet, Human Resources, Leslee Fredericks, Annapolis, John Hutchinson, New Waterford, 29 years 5 years of service 5 years of service Mary MacKay, Port Hawkesbury, 16 years Vernon Brown, Distribution, 16 years 13 • SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 SPIRITED INFORMER • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2018 • 14 CANNABIS LEGALIZATION

October 17, 2018

In October, Canada became the second country and first G20 nation to legalize recreational cannabis.

The Government of Nova Scotia appointed the NSLC to be the only designated retailer of recreational cannabis in the province.

When October 17 came, we were ready. Cannabis Legalization Day Reflections on October 17

At the beginning of the day, October 17 was a historic day for our organization and we had some hiccups with technology that we worked out. marks our most profound change since we opened our But in the end, it came down to doors for business in the 1930s. Here’s a look at sales, people – both our customers transactions and average baskets across the province Amherst New Glasgow and our team members – who for our first day of offering cannabis. 610 East River Rd. made the day a success. Our 126 South Albion St. customers were very excited Manager: Monique Zollner Manager: Darla Lauchlan about legalization and willing Assistant Managers: Marie Assistant Manager: Sabrina McGrath to be forgiving of long lineups. Keating & John Estabrooks October 17: Many were just happy to be there, and their positive vibes October 17: • Sales: $46,864 really helped make the day. • Sales: $33,229 • Transactions: 1,149 Sydney River • Average Basket: $41 But it was our teams who were • Transactions: 744 95 Keltic Dr. truly the stars. People stepped Paul Rapp, Vice President Customer Experience • Average Basket: $43 Manager: David MacPherson up and showed leadership. With each transaction and customer interaction, they continually Assistant Managers: Patrick Gushue, expanded their knowledge. It was fabulous to see! People Emma Spawn & Sean Ryan listened to each other and learned from their colleagues. Truro October 17: Interactions got faster and faster. I’m sure we pushed 6 Court St. • Sales: $67,497 through twice as many people in the second hour than we did in the first. Manager: Alechia Archibald • Transactions: 1,178 Assistant Manager: Krista White • Average Basket: $57 We knew it would ultimately be our people who make our October 17: cannabis stores successful or not – that was proven today. • Sales: $46,572 And it’s just going to get better from here. I am so proud of everyone’s performance today. • Transactions: 900 New Minas • Average Basket: $52 Congratulations on pulling off one of the most historic days in our history!​ 9256 Commercial St. Manager: Shannon Arsenault Posted on the Cannabis Blog 10/17 Assistant Managers: Michelle Millett & Matthew Quinn October 17: • Sales: $52,661 A thank you note from our • Transactions: 980 Antigonish Board Chair • Average Basket: $54 151 Church St. Manager: Kim Jackman We were delighted to receive Dartmouth Downsview Assistant Managers: Jaclyn Polley a message this morning from Minister Mark Furey, 650 Portland St. 752 Sackville Dr. & Darryl Carroll Attorney General and Minister Manager: Darren Smith Manager: Bill Richards October 17: of Justice. Minister Furey is Assistant Managers: Lori Fields, Assistant Managers: Steven • Sales: $40,257 very pleased with the NSLC’s Bridgewater operations during the first Jennifer Chapman & Rachel MacNally Arnold & Sarah Sperdakes • Transactions: 919 274 Dufferin St. week of cannabis legalization. October 17: October 17: • Average Basket: $44 He visited our store in Manager: Mike Conrad • Sales: $57,963 • Sales: $56,282 Bridgewater and spoke to the Assistant Managers: Vincent • Transactions: 922 • Transactions: 1,111 team and customers. Minister Furey was pleased to find Broughm & Nancy Langille • Average Basket: $63 • Average Basket: $51 October 17: customers felt very positive George McLellan, about the retail experience, Chair of the NSLC Board of Directors • Sales: $44,433 the team’s product knowledge • Transactions: 973 and their willingness to offer • Average Basket: $46 assistance. Minister Furey is pleased with the NSLC’s Yarmouth Halifax overall preparations to offer cannabis to Nova Scotians 104A Starrs Rd. 5540 Clyde St. and asked that I pass along his congratulations to the Manager: Mike Wilson Manager: Kelli Dahl entire team. Assistant Managers: Shelley Huby Assistant Manager: Sue Slaunwhite From my perspective, I am incredibly proud of the NSLC & Andre Comeau October 17: team. I am receiving regular feedback about the excellent October 17: • Sales: $70,088 service we are offering our customers in these exciting but challenging times. When I visited stores I was delighted to • Sales: $38,074 • Transactions: 1,376 Halifax find the teams extremely positive, enthusiastic and eager Sales figures are provided • Transactions: 780 • Average Basket: $51 3601 Joseph Howe Dr. to deal with the long line-ups of customers waiting to be • Average Basket: $49 to give a snapshot of served. Our leadership team is working hard to deal with Manager: Robin West activity on October 17. our licensed producers to work on the supply and quality Assistant Managers: Ryan McDonald, Our mandate is to ensure issues associated with cannabis to make the customer Daniel Rodgers & Victoria DeCourcy that cannabis is sold experience more positive. responsibly and according October 17: to provincial and federal Please take a few minutes to share this message of thanks • Sales: $60,539 legislation. We do not with your team and pass along my congratulations for a • Transactions: 1,057 promote the product or try job well done. to increase basket size. • Average Basket: $57 Posted on the Cannabis Blog 10/25 Experience profiles by sales The most popular experience The Lineups Great Feedback profiles have been indica- Managing closing time LEGALIZATION DAY As we got closer to opening, lines started to form outside our stores. dominant Relax and sativa- Our first few days we had to let customers know the lineup dominant Enhance, each was longer than the store would be open. capturing roughly a third of sales. Together our hybrid We will be closing all cannabis stores at 10 p.m. tonight. Lineups continue to experience profiles of Unwind be long at many locations. We need to give our teams time to get ready for Highlights from the Cannabis Blog and Centre account for tomorrow, and also to get a good rest. approximately a third of sales. This is not how we normally manage our customers at the end of night, but we Indica-dominant Relax and are in extraordinary times. We will manage our closures by letting customers October 17 was a busy day for us, with long lineups at all cannabis locations. Warren Wesson @DartmouthUltras • 49m Fantastic experience today at @theNSLC. The site is fantastic. @MedReleaf indica-leaning Unwind make know that the wait in line for cannabis is longer than the store will be open. The Customers were very excited to be there and, for the most part, were not Haligonia: photostream haligoniaphotos • 13m @terrascendcorp with their SanRafael line and Haven line respectively for up roughly half of sales, with times that we start letting customers know that they won’t be served before Not open until 10am, but the line is forming at the NSLC at Portland St Superstore, my first purchases. Both Indica Dom Kush. 20+%. So easy. too bothered by having to wait. A lot of the day’s activities were captured on sativa-dominant Enhance and closing will depend on how busy each individual store is. For example, a store which is one of several stores now allowed to sell legal marijuana. Getting even busier sativa-leaning Centre making with a wait of 1.5 hours would start this process around 8:30 p.m. Swizzle’s Cannabis Blog with some of the highlights shared below. up the other half of sales. Natasha Pace @NatashaPace • 2m ​With time, we hope to be able to manage cannabis as we do with beverage About a dozen people in line waiting for the NSLC on Joseph Howe Drive to open. alcohol and accommodate last-minute customers. But right now, that’s not Cannabis goes on sale across Nova Scotia at 10 am, with the exception of the liquor store in New Minas which opens at 9:30 am. #Halifax #Cannabis #NS realistic or fair to our hard working teams. Some excellent feedback that came Some great feedback on Reddit: – Paul Rapp, Vice President Customer Experience through the Service Excellence Centre: ​ Halifax News & Info @halgonia • 1m Round of applause for the NSLC (self.halifax) Only a couple in line at NSLC Joe Howe right now #cannabis #canadacanabis Media Event Customer had the pleasant experience of being submitted 1 month ago by yuglah At Clyde Street, we held an event for media before the store Seriously. I think from top to bottom it appears that NSLC integrated pot almost seamlessly. The lack of served at the cannabis facility incorporated within the product is not their fault. I would suggest more stores would be helpful for those that don’t have a location opened. There was lots of interest in catching the first legal Antigonish NSLC outlet. The information dispensed was close to them. Other than that, well done! Social Media Activity The Calm cannabis sale in the province. most helpful. The young woman serving the public was I was unlucky enough to just arrive when Joe Howe sold out last night, but understood these are early days and there are going to be wrinkles. On October 17, there were 1,854 tweets from Nova Scotians Very quiet outside our knowledgeable, congenial and incredibly patient in Went back today, they designed and run a pot store exactly like it should be done. Super helpful and referencing cannabis. Clyde Street store and no answering the questions of a first-time customer. Thank knowledgeable staff, able to describe products with ease. Especially in early days when it’s a whole new type of product and people don’t really know what they’re looking for, it speaks to the staff training. big lineups reported in you to all concerned. The effectiveness of getting the the province. There were Paul Palmeter @PaulRPalmeter • 1h It was a stress free transaction and I’ve only heard similar other good stories. NSLC store in Truro is so busy people looking to buy cannabis are being asked to cannabis retail up and running with so few problems has Thanks to all NSLC staff! four people at Sydney wait in line outside of the store. If you want to buy alcohol only, you are allowed to be acknowledged and commended. River, including Ashley inside. @CBCNS [–] EastofEverywhere 12 points 1 month ago MacIsaac, who slept in a Customer just wanted to let us know that the Clyde For most people it’s an “I was there moment”. This will be on a lot of peoples lists as they grow older Natasha Pace @NatashaPace • 9m to tell people in future generations back when marijuana was illegal and the day that all changed. tent overnight to be first @ACookeHFX • 1m Alex Cooke There’s still a large line to purchase cannabis at the NSLC on Joseph Howe Drive. street store is doing everything right , from the setup in line, four at Clyde, three NSLC spokeswoman Beverley Ware says it’s an exciting day for the company. #Halifax #CannabisCanada #NS [–] Cape Breton 9 points 1 month ago “They are honestly really pumped today, really excited.” she said about the staff. to its customer service. He found the staff to be very ESirHappyPanda outside Portland, one Exactly why I waited in the cold for an hour. It was an amazing experience “They’ve invested a lot of time and energy into this over the last few months. at Yarmouth and two at helpful with answering all of his questions, and made Nina Scott-Stoddart @dangerousmezzo • 19m the experience to be calm and relaxing. He said it was a Antigonish. Heidi Petracek @HeidiPCTV • 18m Replying to @Leafly First purchase at this @theNSLC location was made by Alicia Wright. Media were let I’m waiting in line at the NSLC in #Bridgewater for cannabis! It’s a 45 minute wait great location for senior citizens like himself to visit. into location early to record the moment. @CTVAtlantic #cannabiscanada – at NSLC at this point :) #legalization

7 a.m. 8 a.m. 9 a.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. Noon 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 8 p.m. 9 p.m. 10 p.m. 11 p.m.

Bye bye “subway model” Our New Minas Early on, we realized the “subway model” where there only would be one cashier at the store has the same end to ring all purchases through, was not going to work. Most stores quickly switched to Online Twitter hours as the mall having two people per POS (one on cash, the other running to get inventory). transactions – it opened at 9:30 Here’s a crazy coincidence... Action a.m. to roughly 100 • On October 17 our It was no surprise that we customers waiting At Sydney River, Ashley MacIsaac camped over night cannabis website were a hot topic on Twitter outside. to be the first Cape Bretoner to purchase recreational had 27,845 users up on opening day. Here’s cannabis. At Downsview, the first person in line was to midnight. Open for business also Ashlee MacIsaac. Same name, different spelling. a sample of pre-opening • 691 orders were tweets. placed online. TfsNews.com @TfsNewsdotcom • 13m tfsnews.com/famed-fiddler-… Mark Hodgins @MarkHodgins957 • 1m Fiddle by his side. Cape Breton music icon Ashley MacIsaac spent most of Growing lineup outside the NSLC Cannabis. @NEWS957 Tuesday night standing alone in the cold in the Sydney River, N.S. NSLC parking There were some customer concerns about packaging, as well lot to be the first person on the island to get his hands on legal marijuana. as cannabis products that were under their stated package weight. All of our products are packed by the Licensed Producers Q104 Halifax @Q104Halifax • 12m Day 1 sales From @Treydoll and arrive sealed. We developed an information sheet for the Got some campers in SACKVILLE He’s just packing up his stores that explains the acceptable variances in cannabis weight, What a day – $661,213 in sales and Paul Palmeter @PaulRPalmeter • 11m Zane Woodford @zwoodford • Oct 17 sleeping bag #Herb104 Truro NSLC store is now open for business and selling We’ve got @ACookeHFX at the NSLC on Clyde St. and @ydentremont according to the limits set by Health Canada. close to 13,000 transactions. cannabis. @CBCNS in Lower Sackville. I’ll be posting their updates to this story Global Halifax Retweeted Dave Squires @DaveWSquires • 3m Tim Macleod is 10th in line. He says he lined up to be part of history and glad to see the government finally treat Cannabis Yvette M. d’Entremont @ydentremont • Oct 17 properly @globalhalifax First in line Allan Slaunwhite and Ashlee MacIsaac camped out overnight in front of the ET U RE ND G ER Some of our customers went to great lengths to be first in line. NSLC to be the first in line. They got a prime spot when the store closed last S T A Our Guest Model night at 10 pm. They say RCMP stopped by around midnight for a friendly chat N D K

and to make sure they were doing ok. – at NSLC guided our retail team N

Brett Ruskin @Brett_CBC • 1h A

H Nova Scotia is raking in the paper for selling the green stuff on

Joseph Brown, first in line at Halifax’s downtown cannabis T GUEST through customer Canada’s first day of cannabis legalization. store. (four people in line at 7am; doors open at 10am.) conversations. E

T A S UC Beverley Ware, a spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Liquor UG ED GES Corporation (NSLC), says that the province conducted 12,180 @PaulRPalmeter • 4m T Paul Palmeter transactions during the province’s first day of business in the Matt Gale is first in line of about 25 people at Truro NSLC store. legal cannabis game. He can’t wait to buy cannabis legally in a few minutes. @CBCNS A celebration of our TicToc by Bloomberg @tictoc • 2h Halloween pirates visit Here is one of the “sniff jars” available to #NSLC customers, which will provided talented retail teams DAYS 2–5 More highlights from the Cannabis Blog prices, chemical compositions, flavors, and other health information #TicTocNews This past week has been incredible. It really our Clyde Street location demonstrated what our retail team is capable of – the engagement, the passion, the execution, and the teamwork have been completely unstoppable.

This was new ground for all of us, and we didn’t Ken Cusack, Director know what we didn’t know. We had so many ideas and Customer Experience plans, and we put so much accountability on the retail Bret Mitchell visits More great feedback teams that we weren’t entirely sure how it was all going to play out when we opened our doors on the 17th. Paul Rapp and I have talked Clyde Street on social media about this and we believe that if we had to write a story book on how we’d want launch day to go, it would have unfolded exactly how it went. Carole @Gizzyboo6 • 4h Replying to @Brett_CBC Our teams rose to the occasion and exceeded everyone’s expectations. It’s a new system and demand is overwhelming. From what I saw NSLC has done a great job organizing the roll out. It’s a massive undertaking and I know fine tuning will be Getting Nova Even yesterday when I was in Clyde Street, it was like a celebration needed. Kudos to the NSLC employees who have been run off their feet and doing an down there. Last night I was in Portland Street, and again, it’s a amazing job of educating. celebration. It seems like the more hours our people work and the Scotia Product harder they work, the more energized they become. Our retail teams Janet Chippin We had a fantastic experience today. I loved it. Very knowledgeable staff. No judgement. The shipment arrived when we During those early days we received word own this now, and every day seems to be more exciting! were in line. They worked so hard to restock. Very good experience. that Breathing Green Solutions, from the The level of engagement, passion, commitment and teamwork that Also pictured are store manager Kelli Dahl (left) Like • Reply • 16h 4 Wentworth Valley earned its Health Canada I’ve seen in the last week has been unprecedented in my career. We and assistant manager Susan Slaunwhite. Sales License. Soon after we were carrying thought at this point our teams would be overtired and getting burnt their Noreaster strain. out. But it feels like the busier we get, the happier and more energized they become. All the feedback I hear from customers or colleagues at head office is about how unbelievably well things are going in the Inventory Challenges Joseph Howe closed early stores. And that is because of the dedication and focus coming from our retail teams. Thank you! Like all jurisdictions across Canada we struggled with inventory. [–] multiplemitch 60 points 1 month ago but was open again the Aside from quantities and lines, I agree they staff are doing a fantastic job. Sound advice and reasonable prices. Posted on the Cannabis Blog 10/25 ​All around, good work. :) NSLC @theNSLC • 4h We want our cannabis customers to know we have no oils or capsules right now. next morning [–] 9 points 1 month ago Small pkg sizes and pre-rolls are in limited supply. More inventory is coming Azshare People don’t seem to understand prices will never match or beat black market for two reason. Taxes and regulation. soon. Our employees will provide waiting customers with as much product info as NSLC @theNSLC • 35m Reflections on our first weekend possible. Stay tuned for inventory updates Our cannabis store on Joseph Howe Drive is now closed due to an inventory Taxes is self explaining but the black market does not have the cost of regulation. Making sure the proper pesticides and growing procedures shortage. We anticipate we will reopen at 10 am tomorrow. More great feedback are in place. Making sure the growers business in run in a legal manner. of offering cannabis The NSLC has done an amazing job and I actually was nicely surprised. By Paul Rapp, Vice President Customer Experience We’ve now had our first weekend of offering cannabis and I am extremely proud of all the hard-working teams across the province. DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 We made some assumptions going in, for example that transaction times would be 10 minutes on average. However, our teams already have it down to an average of 2 to 2.5 minutes per transaction. This is a phenomenal accomplishment and all credit goes to the stores. Early on, they figured out how to speed things up while still delivering great service. Our transaction times will just get better once we resolve some of our Great feedback on Facebook Access cards in high demand supply challenges. Jessie Lawrence 23 hrs Another assumption we made was that the average basket size would Krypt-dawg @TheBigKMan • 8m I know everyone’s excited about the legalization of cannabis, but I’d like to take a moment Shoutout to the employees at @NSLC’s cannabis store on Joseph Howe. I’ve only been to that be around $80. In reality, we are seeing about half of that. However, we to say “WAY TO GO!!” to all the hard working managers & staff at the newly implemented location, but the staff there are friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and very professional. In a expect the basket size to grow once people have sampled different Cannabis sections at the NSLC’s. They’ve endured massive renovations, constant public completely different league than dispensaries. Great shopping experience! inquiries, intensive training, hiring blitzes and the overall stress it’s put on them (and they’ve Great feedback products and move away from purchasing trial sizes. handled it like champs).

I believe volumes are starting to normalize in most of our stores, and If you’re headed to one of these locations over the next few weeks, PLEASE BE PATIENT. on Reddit we’ve satisfied a lot of the initial demand, which includes many people This is new for the employees too, and they’ve worked super hard over the last few months who just wanted to visit in the first couple days to see what it was all in anticipation of today (and many of the employees are brand new to the corporation). Make sure to be kind and courteous. I’ve been behind the scenes and a lot of hard work has about. Now we are starting to get a more realistic idea of what our gone in to make this happen! And it’s Chris Mitton to the rescue! Our region 3 Regional Manager is delivering access cards to stores out of the trunk customer demand will be. [–] reidconn 70 points 20 hours ago Special shout out to Truro, New Glasgow, Antigonish & Amherst! of his car. Each box has 3,000 access cards. Exactly this. Went to the Clyde St location today and had such a good experience. Helpful staff, useful info, clean, minimalist Joseph Howe design. People can be critical of the lack of independent retailers but my consumer experience today was a 100 emoji. Got me Clyde Street Alisa Byce, Neil Spence and 50 others pretty lifted too! Downsview

Portland Street [–] Marcus_Lolrelius 27 points 18 hours ago The reality is that Nova Scotia implemented legal marijuana better than every other province and territory. I don’t enjoy Amherst marijuana so I have no bong in this fight, but we have the most accessible stores and the best service in the country. NSLC and Antigonish Downsview closed early but Some thoughts the provincial government knocked it out of the park. Canada’s Ocean Hotbox New Glasgow

Truro [–] CraftyEast [score hidden] 5 hours ago opened again the next afternoon NSLC online order came to me in 24 hours, I was amazed. Sydney River from Bret Mitchell

Bridgewater NSLC @theNSLC • 45m [–] fstamlg 9 points 1 month ago The cannabis section at our store in the Downsview Plaza, Lower Sackville, is closing This has been an incredible week. Launching New Minas Seriously I’m impressed by the staff’s knowledge of the product. Good job NSLC! early this evening. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to serving something like this, which is a once-in-a-lifetime Yarmouth you when we reopen at 10 am tomorrow. experience for many people, is very exciting. I’ve [–] Competitive_Leg 6 points 1 month ago Saturday 11:45 a.m. Saturday 5:45 p.m. Saturday 7 p.m. Saturday 8:45 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m. Sunday 4 p.m. been so impressed with the stores and our cannabis teams! Agreed. Hey friendly, helpful, knowledgable staff, great information and clean stores and excellent product. Based on some reports from corporate security over the weekend, we’ve NSLC @theNSLC • 5h Our people are doing such an incredible job in servicing our [–] sacred-pepper 3 points 1 month ago created a heat map that shows which stores were busiest. Red means We want to provide you with an update on the cannabis section of our store at As a former employee of the commission I was so happy/proud of how smooth the thing have gone and how helpful the customers. The standards are fantastic. I love the energy and longer wait times, often with customers lined up outside the NSLC; orange Downsview Plaza in Lower Sackville. We are replenishing inventory and anticipate employees were. Well done guys. we will reopen at 1 p.m. today. means the cannabis section is full, often extending into beverage alcohol; I love the passion. And I’m so proud of them all!​ and green shows more normal and manageable volumes. Thank you to the teams doing such outstanding work. You are making all of us proud! Posted on the Cannabis Blog 10/22

Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation

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