ABLE BC Advocacy Day in Victoria, FIFA Delivery Planning, April Employment Highlights, and More ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update:
May 28, 2026 |
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Dear ABLE BC Members & Industry Allies,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: - Advocacy Day in Victoria: ABLE BC & Minister Popham
World Cup Delivery Planning & Customer Considerations Hillebrand Gori - 3rd-Party Agent Warehouse Temporary Closure Resources Now Available for Changes to Pay Transparency Act - BC Tourism & Hospitality: April Employment and Sector Highlights
- Summer 2026 Issue of the Quarterly Pour is Out
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New Report! BC Food & Beverage's State of the Industry Report
- Bartier Bros: Pristine Wines Now at $9.99 Wholesale
Join ABLE BC at the Tequila and Agave Festival: May 30
What you'll find in every newsletter: |
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Advocacy Day in Victoria: ABLE BC & Minister Popham |
ABLE BC meeting with Minister Popham (2nd from right) in the Office of Agriculture & Food |
Earlier this week, representatives from the ABLE BC traveled to Victoria to meet with the Honourable Lana Popham (Minister of Agriculture and Food) ahead of the close of the Spring 2026 legislative session.
Joining the discussion were ABLE BC President Yvan Charette, Director Mike McKee, and Don Calveley, alongside ABLE BC Executive Director Bo Chen, to continue strengthening collaboration between government and industry partners while raising awareness of the current challenges facing BC’s liquor and hospitality sector. The meeting focused on several key issues impacting businesses across the province, including: - Changes in alcohol consumption trends
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The current state of liquor retail in British Columbia
- Navigating stronger cohesion between industry and government
- Perspectives on reducing interprovincial trade barriers
- The future outlook for the industry
These conversations are an important part of ensuring the voices of BC’s liquor and hospitality businesses are heard at the provincial level and that industry concerns remain part of ongoing policy discussions.
“The engagement was productive and served as an excellent starting point in building stronger relationships amongst regulatory partners and the small businesses of our industry,” said Bo Chen. “ABLE BC Directors and myself look forward to more of these discussions with our government partners and will continue to advocate for the collective success of our industry and our members.” As advocacy efforts continue, ABLE BC remains committed to representing the interests of liquor and hospitality businesses across British Columbia. By working together, we can help shape a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry.
Interested in supporting industry advocacy and staying connected on the issues that matter most? Become an ABLE BC member and join a collective voice working to strengthen and support BC’s liquor and hospitality sector. |
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. |
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Hillebrand Gori: Third-Party Agent Warehouse Temporary Closure |
Please be advised that Hillebrand Gori (Hillebrand), a third-party warehouse that stores imported liquor products in B.C., will be temporarily closed from June 1 to 10, 2026 to support a move to a new, expanded warehouse location. The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) has increased orders of LDB-stocked products in anticipation of the temporary closure to ensure that the LDB’s in-stock levels remain consistent.
The last day for orders to be placed from this warehouse will be May 28, 2026 for delivery to the LDB on June 1 and 2, 2026. Regular deliveries to the LDB are expected to resume by June 10, 2026.
Customers may experience short-term impacts to the availability and delivery of imported non-stocked warehouse product (NSWP) during this period.
No other third-party warehouses are affected. Please visit the LDB Wholesale Operations website for updates. Read more about this notice HERE.
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Resources Now Available for Changes to Pay Transparency Act |
Effective November 1st, employers with 50 or more employees (approximately 8,500 employers) will be required to prepare and post pay transparency reports, many for the first time. To build employer awareness and readiness ahead of the November reporting period, the Ministry of Finance has developed several tools and resources, including a pay transparency reporting tool, to make the reporting process simple and straightforward for employers. The Ministry is also offering regular webinars that employers can register to attend.
Resources - Further information about this and other requirements under the Pay Transparency Act is available HERE.
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Free tools and resources are available HERE.
- Access the instruction video HERE.
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BC Tourism & Hospitality: April Employment and Sector Highlights |
BC’s Tourism and Hospitality industry experienced modest growth in April, with employment increasing from March levels. The labour force also expanded slightly, while the unemployment rate declined. Despite gains across several regions and sectors, overall employment and hours worked remain below pre-pandemic benchmarks. April’s labour market data reflects a 1.0 percent increase in employment, rising to 327,750 from 324,500 in March. Employment remains 12,250 below April 2019 levels. The labour force increased by 0.7 percent to 355,750, though it remains below pre-COVID levels, while the unemployment rate decreased from 8.2 percent in March to 7.8 percent in April. Key Highlights - Employment increased by 1.0 percent to 327,750 in April.
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The tourism and hospitality labour force increased to 355,750, remaining below April 2019 levels.
- The unemployment rate decreased to 7.8 percent.
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Aggregate weekly hours worked decreased to 8.85 million hours, down from 9.09 million in March, and below pre-COVID levels.
- The share of workers employed full-time decreased slightly from 61 percent in March to 60 percent in April.
Regional Trends - Employment increased in the Cariboo, Northern BC, Thompson Okanagan, and Vancouver Island regions, while declines were recorded in the Kootenay and Lower Mainland regions.
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Tourism and hospitality employment in the Cariboo and Kootenay regions remained above April 2019 levels.
- Employment in the Lower Mainland, Northern BC, Vancouver Island, and Thompson Okanagan regions remained below pre-COVID benchmarks.
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Regional unemployment rates ranged from 2.5 percent in the Cariboo to 13.5 percent in Thompson Okanagan region.
Sector Performance -
Employment increased in the Recreation and Entertainment and Transportation and Travel sectors, while Accommodation and Food and Beverage sectors recorded declines from March to April.
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Recreation and Entertainment remained the only sector above April 2019 employment levels, while Accommodation, Food and Beverage, and Transportation and Travel remain below pre-pandemic levels.
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The Transportation and Travel sector had the highest share of full-time workers at approximately 83 percent, compared to 48 percent in the Food and Beverage sector.
- Average hourly earnings ranged from $24 to $39 across sectors, with Transportation reporting the highest wages and Food and Beverage the lowest.
For detailed monthly updates and regional breakdowns, visit go2HR’s Employment Tracker. |
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 jesse@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in. |
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New Report! BC Food & Beverage's State of the Industry Report |
BC Food & Beverage Manufacturing is proud to announce the release of BC Food & Beverage’s State of the Industry Report 2026.
Their latest data-driven report provides clear recommendations to help protect jobs, supply chains, and boost competitiveness across BC’s food and beverage sector, which generates over $14 billion in annual revenue. With the industry supporting nearly 40,000 jobs, BCFB calls for a comprehensive competitiveness strategy to safeguard and strengthen food and beverage manufacturing across the province. Take a look at the 2026 BC Food & Beverage Manufacturing State of the Industry Report HERE. |
Bartier Bros: Pristine Wines Now at $9.99 Wholesale |
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Summer is here, and customers are looking for easy-to-enjoy wines that overdeliver for the price. That’s why Bartier Bros.’ Pristine wines are now just $9.99 wholesale (previously $13.42), creating strong opportunities for retailers and licensees across BC.
Fresh, fruit-forward, and highly approachable, Pristine wines are built for summer sales. For retailers, the lineup is ideal for stack displays, refrigerated placements, and value-driven features that encourage impulse purchases. For licensees, Pristine wines shine in patio by-the-glass programs, house pours, and happy hour features thanks to its crowd-pleasing style and strong margins. With patio season underway, now is the perfect time to feature wines that move volume while still delivering quality and consistency at a great price point.
To receive updates and opportunities directly from the winery, sign up for our Licensee and Retail newsletter — Sign-Up Here.
Interested in featuring Pristine? Contact Jodi Bartier at wine@bartierbros.com. |
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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. |
Join ABLE BC at the Tequila and Agave Festival: May 30 |
ABLE BC has partnered with the Tequila and Agave Festival to bring hospitality and industry professionals together for an unforgettable evening of networking, education, and connection in the vibrant world of agave spirits.
Join fellow operators, bartenders, buyers, suppliers, and beverage leaders on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, BC, for an exclusive Trade Tasting experience designed specifically for industry insiders. This curated tasting session offers attendees the opportunity to explore an exceptional lineup of premium tequilas and agave spirits while engaging directly with producers, brand representatives, and peers from across the hospitality community. Whether you are looking to deepen your product knowledge, discover emerging brands, exchange ideas, or strengthen professional relationships, this event creates the perfect environment for meaningful conversations and valuable industry connections.
Guests will enjoy exclusive trade access to a carefully selected portfolio of agave spirits, paired with a variety of small bites crafted to complement the tasting experience. The evening also includes access to the Agave Celebration from 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM, offering even more opportunities to continue conversations and connect with colleagues in a lively atmosphere. For hospitality professionals looking to expand their expertise, build relationships, and stay connected to industry trends, this is a must-attend event.
Purchase tickets here.
ABLE BC members receive 20% off ticket prices. Please email comms@ablebc.ca for the promo code. |
Cannabis Corner: Cannabis Secretariat Shifts to Ministry of Agriculture & Food |
The BC government’s Cannabis Secretariat has officially transitioned into a new department called the Cannabis Business & Governance Unit - Market Diversification and Growth Branch within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The move reflects the province’s evolving approach to cannabis, with an increased focus on economic development, industry growth, innovation, and market expansion.
The province has recently introduced several initiatives to support the legal cannabis sector, including extending Buy BC Partnership Program and BC Agriculture and Food Export Program eligibility to cannabis producers, as well as allowing cannabis growers access to the On-Farm Technology Adoption Program.
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go2HR on Tap: Game On! Is Your Team Mentally Ready for Soccer's Biggest Event? |
The upcoming global sports season will bring busier shifts, higher expectations, and constant pressure. It's not just about having enough staff, but making sure your team can stay focused, safe, and perform at their best through it all.
Because when pressure builds, it doesn't just impact operations; it impacts people. How they communicate, respond, and show up each day is the difference between just getting through the shift and delivering strong, consistent performance.
Now is the time to explore go2HR's expanded (PH&S) Advisory services. With guided discussions, practical advice, and tailored support, we can help you to build a healthier, more supportive workplace and equip your team to withstand the pressure and perform at their best when it matters most. Book here. |
Top: ABLE BC President Yvan Charette, Cannabis Chair Feven Berhane, and Executive Director Bo Chen @ Bard & Banker Pub in Victoria
Below Left: ABLE BC President Yvan Charette & Global BC Legislature Bureau Chief Keith Baldrey inside the BC Legislative Building
Below Right: Bo & ContainerWorld Business Development Manager, Flavia Aarden-Kilger @ BrassFish Tavern
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: |
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