Liquor Industry Update: July 10, 2025

Liquor Policy Townhalls, LDB Updates, DTC Liquor Sales, inclusive Hiring, and More! -----------------------------------------------

Liquor Industry Update:

July 10, 2025

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry:

Have Your Say on BC's Liquor to Go Policy: Upcoming Townhalls with ABLE BC
BC Signs MOU on National Direct-to-Consumer Liquor Sales
Reminder: LDB Customer Orders and Shipments of Last Remaining U.S. Inventory
BCLC Update: Scheduled Self-Serve Terminal Reporting Changes
LCRB Update: Minors As Agents Program Retesting
Reminder: Checking IDs and Minors as Agents Program
The Summer Edition of the Quarterly Pour is Here!
Have Your Say: Help Improve the Business Environment in BC
2025 Rise Awards by BC Food & Beverage: Nominations Close Today
Inclusive Hiring Made Local: Join the Diverse Abilities Discovery Fair

What you'll find in every newsletter:

Cannabis Corner: Cannabis Sales at Events - Insights from Italian Day on Commercial Drive
go2HR on Tap: Injuries Happen - Especially During the Summer Rush. Are You Ready?
Out and About with ABLE BC
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars

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Have Your Say on BC's Liquor to Go Policy: Upcoming Townhalls with ABLE BC

The LCRB is exploring changes to BC’s Liquor to Go Policy - which currently allows Liquor Primary and Food Primary licensees to sell liquor for off-site consumption with a meal for takeout or delivery.

The policy first came into effect in October 2021 during COVID-19, in response to feedback from ABLE BC and our work in the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP).

As part of this engagement process, the LCRB is seeking industry feedback on the benefits, challenges, and potential public health and safety risks associated with the program, as well as possible solutions.

For example, instead of authorizing Liquor to Go for all FPs and LPs, the LCRB says they’re “considering adding discretion for the General Manager, who oversees licensing. Discretion would help determine who should be eligible to sell liquor for takeout/delivery and what criteria should be applied in making the decision. This would allow Liquor to Go sales to continue and add requirements that support public health and safety.”

In response, ABLE BC and our Committee Leaders will be hosting virtual townhalls for both LRS and LP licensees. These sessions will provide an opportunity to share perspectives, align priorities, and develop a collective industry response. Details and registration can be found below.

Feedback is open until August 7, 2025. While ABLE BC will be submitting recommendations on behalf of our members, we also encourage individual businesses to share their own feedback. You can find all the details here.

Upcoming Townhalls:

Liquor Primary Townhall

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Hosted on Microsoft Teams

RSVP Here

Licensee Retail Store Townhall

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Hosted on Microsoft Teams

RSVP Here

BC Signs MOU on National Direct-to-Consumer Liquor Sales

This week, British Columbia joined eight other provinces and one territory in signing a national Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will advance work toward a national direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales system for liquor. Once implemented, this system will allow Canadian liquor manufacturers to sell their products directly to consumers across the country for personal consumption.

The agreement was announced following a meeting of provincial, territorial, and federal ministers in Quebec City. The initiative is part of a broader effort to remove interprovincial trade barriers and strengthen Canada’s economic independence in response to ongoing global trade challenges, including past U.S. tariffs.

Under the new agreement, Canadians in all provinces - except Newfoundland and Labrador - and Yukon will be able to order alcohol directly from producers in other parts of the country. The intended timeline for implementation is late May 2026, though a number of key details remain to be finalized, including shipping logistics and taxation frameworks.

What This Means for BC’s Liquor Industry

ABLE BC, as part of the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP), will continue to engage with government partners and industry stakeholders to ensure the needs and perspectives of BC’s liquor industry are considered throughout this process. We anticipate the next steps will require policy and legal analysis as well as stakeholder consultation to finalize the framework for DTC sales.

We will keep our members apprised of developments and ensure your voices are heard as government works to implement these changes.

If you have any questions about this announcement or would like to provide feedback in advance of upcoming stakeholder discussions, please reach out to Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca.

RESOURCES

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Working Well

The CMHA BC and go2HR have created a resource for tourism and hospitality employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work.

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Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter

Sign up for our Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for cannabis retailers. Click here to read past cannabis newsletters.

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The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact jesse@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in.

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Reminder: LDB Customer Orders and Shipments of Last Remaining U.S. Inventory

A reminder to licensees, the LDB has shared the following update on customer orders and shipments of the last remaining U.S. inventory:

In alignment with the Government of B.C.’s directive announced on March 10, 2025, U.S.-made products continue to be available for purchase through LDB wholesale distribution channels until existing inventory in British Columbia sells through.

When existing inventory warehoused in third-party warehouses is depleted, LDB Wholesale will fulfill customer orders with the last remaining inventory warehoused at the LDB distribution centre.

This remaining inventory includes repacked product in plain cardboard boxes that had been securely stored and previously unavailable for ordering. This action is in line with the LDB’s commitment to meet customer demand and support agents by moving remaining product into the market and effectively utilizing space in the distribution centre.

Repacked products will be marked “repacked” on the U.S. product list posted on the Wholesale Operations website and on Web Store.

The LDB has endeavoured to ensure accuracy throughout the repack process; however, repacked cases may include product with mixed labels, vintages or product lots.

Please keep in mind, the established LDB wholesale returns process will apply. As such, requests to return repacked cases because the case contains a product with mixed labels and product lots will not be accepted.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

BCLC Update: Scheduled Self-Serve Terminal Reporting Changes

BCLC has announced improvements to the reporting tools on Self-Serve Terminals (SSTs), launched on Thursday, July 3, 2025. These updates were developed in response to feedback from hospitality partners and are designed to better support your daily lottery operations.

Key Updates:

Revised Cash Reconciliation Report: The updated layout offers improved visibility of cash-in details and now displays in a 24-hour clock format for greater clarity.
New General Terminal Report (GTR): This new report provides a breakdown of sales by transaction type and includes a Net Amount Total that aligns directly with your weekly invoice.
Together, these enhancements will provide a clearer and more detailed view of transactions processed through your SST.

Retailer Action Required:

On July 3, retailers were advised to ensure their SST(s) remained powered on with the shopping cart empty to successfully receive the update. Following installation, SSTs will automatically reboot.

Please note:

The reboot process can take up to 5 minutes.
If the BCLC logo does not appear after this time, perform a manual reboot before contacting Lottery Retail Support.

For any questions regarding these updates, please contact Lottery Retail Support directly.

LCRB Update: Minors as Agents Program Retesting

The LCRB recently advised that licensees who failed a Minors as Agents inspection within the past 24 months will receive a notification that they will be retested for compliance.

When establishments commit a second contravention for the same issue within 24 months of a previously proven contravention, the penalty increases to reflect continued non-compliance.

In the case of selling to minors, a second contravention has a monetary penalty in the range of $11,000 to $15,000 or a license suspension of 11 to 15 days.

For helpful resources on due diligence and preventing contraventions, please see the article below.

If you have any questions about the Minors as Agents program, please direct them to: LCRB.CandE.Admin@gov.bc.ca.

Reminder: Checking IDs and Minors as Agents Program

As summer break ramps up and kids are out of school, ABLE BC is taking a moment to remind all liquor licensees to remain diligent with ID checks and ensure staff are properly trained to prevent underage sales.

The Minors as Agents Program (MAP) is the LCRB’s tool for monitoring licensees’ compliance with the prohibition against selling cannabis and liquor to minors. Under MAP, minors employed by the LCRB and supervised by inspectors will enter licensed establishments to purchase cannabis or liquor.

For more information on MAP retesting, please see the article above.

Helpful Resources:

Learn more about preventing contraventions here.
Purchase due diligence signage, including 2 pieces of ID required signs, in our online store.
Login to our Member Portal to access complimentary resources, including ID signage, sample due diligence policies and templates, and webinars on topics like MAP and other inspections.
If you need additional support with your policies and procedures or legal advice, we encourage you to reach out to our ABLE BC Experts.

If you have any questions about the Minors as Agents program, please direct them to: LCRB.CandE.Admin@gov.bc.ca.

The Summer Edition of the Quarterly Pour is Here!

The Summer 2025 edition of Quarterly Pour is now available online!

In this issue:

Top 10 Food Trends you need to know
Marketing on a Shoestring: Low-cost strategies that work
Creating an Unforgettable Atmosphere for your customers
A spotlight on Jolly Miller Pub & Liquor Store
And Is Tech Killing Service?

Check out the issue here.

READ NOW

Have Your Say: Help Improve the Business Environment in BC

Through a new initiative aimed at improving the ease of doing business, operators are invited to share the challenges they face and suggest practical solutions that could help streamline services, attract investment, and strengthen competitiveness across the province.

This is a unique opportunity to directly influence the policies and systems that impact your day-to-day operations.

Submissions are open until Fall 2025.

2025 Rise Awards by BC Food & Beverage: Nominations Close Today

Celebrating excellence in BC’s food and beverage industry

From groundbreaking products to dedicated individuals and thriving businesses, we’re here to honour those making a meaningful difference in British Columbia’s food and beverage sector. Choose from over 10 Rise Award categories, such as Export, Leadership, Circularity, Product of the Year, and many more!

Do you know a deserving food or beverage processing company or individual? Or do you think you might be a good fit for one of these awards? Be sure to submit your Rise Awards nominations soon, as they close on July 10, 2025!

Inclusive Hiring Made Local: Join the Diverse Abilities Discovery Fair

If you own or manage a pub or barn BC, you know that great staff are the heartbeat of your business. But what if the talent you’ve been searching for isn’t coming through the usual channels?

The Diverse Abilities Discovery Fair is designed to change the way hiring happens - giving you a chance to connect with skilled, motivated job seekers who are often overlooked in traditional recruitment. These individuals are ready to thrive in fast-paced, people-focused environments like yours.

This is not your average job fair. You’ll engage in real conversations, see hands-on presentations, and get to know candidates beyond the resume. Whether you’re hiring for front of house, kitchen, administration, or marketing roles, you’ll find untapped potential here.

At the heart of this event is go2HR - BC’s only provider of the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic and a proud partner of Tourism HR Canada’s national BELONG project.

As the go-to workforce resource for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry, go2HR is here to help you make inclusive hiring a practical and lasting part of your business.

As a BC employer, you’ll gain access to free support and services through go2HR, including:

Practical training on accessible and inclusive hiring
Expert guidance on recruitment and job matching
Custom consulting to make your workplace more accessible
Inclusive mentorship programs to support retention and growth

This isn’t just about checking a box. It’s about strengthening your team, building your reputation, and helping your business thrive with a workforce that reflects the diversity of BC’s communities.

Email to register today.

Be part of something meaningful. Let’s create a hospitality industry where everyone feels welcome, valued, and ready to succeed.

Event Details:

August 8, 2025
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Vancouver Convention Centre

Cannabis Corner: Cannabis Sales at Events in BC - Insights from Italian Day on Commercial Drive

Earlier this June, Vancouver’s Italian Day on the Drive offered an exciting glimpse into the potential for cannabis retail at BC’s festivals.

While current regulations do not permit on-site cannabis sales at events, KushKlub, an independent cannabis retailer, partnered with Smyle Brands to engage the community in a safe and compliant way. Smyle Brands sampled uninfused versions of their cannabis beverages outside KushKlub’s store, allowing festival-goers to learn about the products before heading inside to make a purchase.

This collaboration not only introduced cannabis beverages to new customers but also helped KushKlub build its mailing list and strengthen connections within the community.

ABLE BC continues to advocate for policy changes that would allow cannabis sales at events in the future, ensuring the sector can participate meaningfully in BC’s cultural gatherings.

Read the full article to learn more about this activation and what’s next for cannabis retail at events.

JOIN ABLE BC CANNABIS TODAY

go2HR On Tap: Injuries Happen - Especially During the Summer Rush. Are You Ready?

When patios are packed and the taps are flowing, even a small injury behind the bar or in the kitchen can throw off your whole shift. Knowing how to handle it quickly and properly helps you take care of your team and keep your pub or bar running smoothly.

Here are three common return-to-work paths you should be ready for:

Stay at Work
The injury is minor - maybe a small burn or cut - and it’s treated on-site with first aid. Your team member stays on shift and keeps an eye on things. No need to report to WorkSafeBC.

Recover at Work with Modified Duties

The worker needs medical treatment like stitches but can still help out with light or different duties. Must be reported by you, your staff member, and their doctor.

Return to Work After Time Off
Sometimes recovery means taking a few shifts off. When they’re ready, bring them back with modified duties and support. Clear documentation and check-ins are key. Everyone involved needs to report it.

We’ve got your back - download our Return-to-Work Plan Template to make recovery smoother for everyone.

Out and About with ABLE BC