Licensee to Licensee Sales FAQ, ABLE BC x LDB Liquor Session, World Cup Delivery Planning, and More ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update:
June 11, 2026 |
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Dear ABLE BC Members & Industry Allies,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry:
What you'll find in every newsletter: |
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Advocacy Win! BC Introduces new Licensee to Licensee Sales Pilot |
Following BC's Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s announcement of a new three-year pilot program allowing eligible hospitality licensees to purchase alcohol directly from private liquor retailers, ABLE BC welcomes this progressive step toward modernizing British Columbia’s liquor policies and creating greater flexibility for the hospitality sector.
Beginning May 29, 2026, eligible bars, pubs, restaurants, lounges, and catering licensees will be permitted to purchase products directly from authorized private liquor retailers across BC as part of the province’s new trial running through June 1, 2029. The pilot creates new opportunities for hospitality operators to access specialty products, respond more efficiently to inventory needs, and enhance beverage offerings for customers.
ABLE BC views this initiative as a positive step forward for BC’s hospitality and liquor industries, strengthening collaboration across the supply chain while supporting business growth, consumer choice, and vibrant hospitality experiences throughout the province.
Read our full media statement here.
For more information about the policy change, please read the FAQ below.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC Executive Director Bo Chen. |
Licensee to Licensee Sales FAQ |
The LCRB has released Bulletin 26-03 outlining the details of the new three-year pilot program allowing eligible hospitality licensees to purchase alcohol directly from authorized private liquor retailers across BC. Key details include: - No application is required for eligible licence classes
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No annual limits on purchases or sales between eligible licence classes during the trial period
- Liquor may not be sold below wholesale cost
- Transaction records and liquor register documentation are required for both purchasers and sellers
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Third-party delivery services may not be used for these transactions
- Loyalty or incentive programs are prohibited for licensee-to-licensee sales
Licensees are encouraged to review the bulletin carefully to understand all operational requirements, pricing rules, record-keeping obligations, and updated terms and conditions.
Read the full LCRB Bulletin 26-03 here.
Frequently Asked Questions Is PST exempt from sales?
The Ministry of Finance allows Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to be exempt from sales when liquor is purchased only for resale. A seller may choose to offer PST-exempt sales of liquor to liquor-licenced buyers, but this is not required. Please read the full details here.
Is the pilot constrained to LRS selling to LP or FP only? Under the pilot program, an LRS can sell liquor to the following BC license classes and endorsements: - a liquor primary licence
- a liquor primary club licence
- a food primary licence
- a catering licence
- a manufacturer licence endorsed with a lounge endorsement
Wine stores, special wine stores, and rural licensee retail stores can also sell to these license types. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions manuals for full details. Is there a maximum limit as to how much one business can do with any one licensee? There are no annual limits on purchases or sales between eligible licence classes during the trial period. |
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ABLE BC x LDB Liquor Session: June 22 |
ABLE BC is pleased to host an upcoming liquor industry session in partnership with LDB Wholesale, offering members a valuable opportunity to gain insights into liquor wholesale performance trends and market activity across British Columbia. Date: Monday, June 22, 2026 Time: 10:00 am PST Where: Online Who: LDB Wholesale and ABLE BC Liquor Members
RSVP: Email comms@ablebc.ca for invite link Topics will include: - Wholesale sales data broken down by product category
- Current trends across key liquor product segments
- Additional market updates and insights from LDB Wholesale
This is a valuable opportunity for members to better understand what is driving performance in the provincial liquor marketplace and to hear directly from LDB Wholesale on current data and trends. We look forward to seeing you there! |
World Cup Delivery Planning & Customer Considerations |
As a collaborative effort between ABLE BC & BC Liquor Distribution Branch, the LDB Wholesale Operations has shared the following update with industry stakeholders:
As Vancouver prepares to host FIFA World Cup 2026™ LDB Wholesale Operations is actively planning to support our customers and suppliers during this high-demand period. We anticipate increased congestion, road closures, and access restrictions, particularly in the downtown Vancouver area, which may impact delivery timing and routing on match days and surrounding periods. To help support customers, we have published a web post and FAQs outlining key delivery considerations and planning guidance: -
Plan ahead by ordering early and building inventory ahead of match dates and peak periods.
- Allow additional time for deliveries during high-traffic periods.
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Prepare for increased demand, particularly evenings and weekends.
Please note that any delivery or schedule changes will be communicated directly to impacted customers. Please visit the LDB Wholesale Operations website for updates. |
Summer 2026 Issue of the Quarterly Pour is Out |
Featured articles in this issue:
The Quarterly Pour is the official publication of ABLE BC. Advertise with ABLE BC
The Quarterly Pour is the BC liquor industry’s source of trends and leading-edge news. The publication is the official magazine of ABLE BC, distributed quarterly to every licensee in the province.
For advertising opportunities in The Quarterly Pour, as well as the ABLE BC newsletter and website, download the 2026 Media Kit from EMC Publications. Contact Joyce Hayne, EMC Publications, at 604-574-4577or joyce@emcmarketing.com to book in now! |
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People 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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ABLE BC Member Portal
The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact membership@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in. |
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The Summer SKU You Didn't Know You Needed |
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Bartier Bros. Piquette is the light, refreshing can your customers will keep coming back to all summer long. Zero sugar, 4.5% alcohol, and lightly sparkling, it’s an easy-drinking option made for sunny afternoons, patio sessions, beach days, and summer evenings. Available in White and Rosé styles, it comes in 355ml cans sold as 4-packs. At $9 wholesale per 4-pack (minimum 2 flats order | 6 x 4-pack), Piquette delivers strong value and versatility for summer programs — from patio features and by-the-glass pours to grab-and-go coolers and retail shelves. Its easy, sessionable style appeals across wine, cider, beer, and RTD drinkers, making it an easy win for restaurants and retail. With eye-catching packaging and growing demand for lighter drinking options, Piquette is built for warm-weather sales.
To order, contact Jodi Bartier at wineclub@bartierbros.com.
Sign up for winery updates and trade offers here: https://bit.ly/4dMTGqm |
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This project is supported by the BC Government’s Buy BC Partnership Program; delivered by MNP LLP with funding from the Government of British Columbia. |
Valued Partners of ABLE BC |
Our valued partners play a vital role in advancing our industry, and we’re proud to highlight their continued support. |
Cannabis Corner: Advocacy Win! Reducing Licensing Delays for Low-Risk Retail |
Effective May 21, 2026, a significant improvement to the cannabis licensing process is now in place for all new cannabis applications submitted on or after this date. Under the updated approach, applicants will undergo baseline security screening, which includes completing a Cannabis Screening Form and submitting a Police Information Check (PIC) or a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC). Only applications that present identified risk will be referred for a comprehensive “fit and proper” assessment.
ABLE BC worked closely with industry partners and consulted with the LCRB on this change, advocating for a more efficient, risk-proportionate approach that supports responsible operators and speeds up time to market.
Read the full update here. |
go2HR on Tap: Build a Stronger Workplace Before the Rush |
Vancouver is gearing up for another busy summer visitor season. Major international events will bring a significant wave of visitors to the Lower Mainland, and behind every great guest experience will be a team that felt prepared, supported, and safe at work. For operators across BC, it’s never too late to get prepared. Prepare for the Surge
Higher guest volumes mean real operational demands: longer shifts, faster service, more seasonal hires to get up to speed, a more diverse international clientele, and increased heat exposure for staff.
go2HR has practical, ready-to-use resources to help you get ahead before the rush arrives: Get Ready Now A prepared team is a confident team. Visit go2hr.ca in the link below to explore all the tools and resources available to your team this season. |
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Check out these upcoming events: |
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