BCGEU ratification, LDB restart enters Week 3, industry events, and more! ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update:
November 13, 2025 |
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Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: - BCGEU Members Ratify Tentative Agreement
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Important LDB Service Update: Week 3 of Restart
- ABLE BC Presents: Fraser Valley Industry Mixer November 27
- Update: WorkSafeBC and Gratuities on Payroll
- Holiday Cheers Start with Bartier Bros. Wines
- Read the Winter Issue of the Quarterly Pour
- Registration Now Open: BC Tourism Industry Conference
- Ask an Expert: Barnet POS
- New Rules on Sick Notes for Employers
What you'll find in every newsletter: |
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BCGEU Members Ratify Tentative Agreement |
The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) members have ratified their agreement reached in mediation on October 26, 2025.
Of all public service members, 79% took part in the vote, and 89.3% of those who voted supported (ratified) the tentative agreement. The agreement is for a four-year term.
This marks the official end of the longest strike by public service workers in BC's history.
ABLE BC’s Bo Chen met with the BCGEU this week to discuss collaboration to ensure continued momentum behind a strong restart to liquor & cannabis distribution for all private businesses impacted by the job action.
Bo comments: “My conversation with Mr. Paul Finch and the BCGEU team on the vote ratification process was encouraging and I look forward to joint efforts between all stakeholders on this restart."
For more information, please read the BCGEU news release. |
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Important LDB Service Update: Week 3 of Restart |
At the start of Week 3, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is maintaining timely customer deliveries, operating within normal service levels and has cleared the backlog within vendor support services.
The LDB has shared the following update on Week 3 of Restart. It is summarized below, but we encourage you to read the full update here.
Progress Update - In Week 2, customers placed approximately 644,000 cases, and the LDB shipped about 630,000 cases to 2,400 customers across the province.
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Distribution centres continue to run extended shifts with overtime and auxiliary staff to manage high volumes.
- The LDB is working closely with carriers, third-party warehouses, and industry partners to support full service resumption.
Delivery Windows - Deliveries are proceeding on the regular schedule, and earlier delays were resolved by the end of Week 2.
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Stores are encouraged to ensure they can receive their full orders and that payments are up to date to help prevent any delays.
- Deliveries to remote communities may take longer due to standard transit times and seasonal weather impacts.
Non-Stocked Wholesale Product (NSWP) Orders - NSWP orders continue to be placed and fulfilled on schedule.
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Since the restart, 42,000 cases have been received, including 17,000 cases in Week 2.
Inventory and Product Availability -
Inventory levels remain strong, with 1.59 million cases on hand and 1.37 million cases available for sale.
- The overall in-stock rate is 91.4%, with beer, wine, and refreshment beverages above 93% and spirits at 81.6%.
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Supply challenges persist for select Diageo products such as Crown Royal and Captain Morgan, and some orders may be shorted based on available stock.
- Customers are encouraged to check the Supplier Stock Outs page for the latest availability updates.
Inbound Appointments - Vendors can continue booking inbound appointments following standard procedures.
- Last week, the distribution centres received approximately 574,000 cases.
Vendor Support Services - New product registrations, wholesale pricing, and import clearances are all up to date and within service targets.
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The backlog of approximately 1,100 import clearances from the restart has now been fully resolved.
Wholesale Customer Centre (WCC) -
Customers are asked to confirm payment is up to date before placing orders, and to contact the WCC if an account hold needs to be cleared.
- The LDB encourages customers to review their order submission reports and reach out if they notice any unintentional duplicate orders.
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For questions and assistance, please contact the WCC at wholesalehelp@bcldb.com or call 604-775-0681 or 1-888-775-0681.
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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. |
| 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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ABLE BC Presents: Fraser Valley Industry Mixer November 27 |
An evening of networking, collaboration, and connection with BC's industry professionals
As we celebrate ABLE BC's 50th Anniversary, we're kicking off a province-wide series of events over the next nine months - starting with our opening celebration at The Barn Country Bar in Surrey on November 27, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Expect delicious appies, great networking, tastings, and meaningful conversations about the key issues shaping our industry.
REGISTER HERE
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or general information, please contact Jesse Sidhu, Manager of Events, Partnerships & Membership at jesse@ablebc.ca . If you are a beverage distributor or provider, we encourage you to connect with Jesse as well regarding participation opportunities at this and future events. |
Update: WorkSafeBC and Gratuities on Payroll |
For over two years, the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA), supported by ABLE BC and other industry partners, has been working to address growing concerns around WorkSafeBC’s enforcement of a gratuity payroll inclusion policy.
Historically, gratuities have never been included as part of payroll in the hospitality sector - nor is this standard practice in other industries where tipping is common. Until recently, WorkSafeBC had chosen not to enforce this policy, recognizing the complexity and financial burden it would place on small businesses.
That changed in fall 2023, when a long-established restaurant was audited and penalized for not including gratuities in payroll. Although the penalties were ultimately reversed, other businesses are now facing audits, fines, and costly reassessments at a time when BC’s hospitality and service industries can least afford it.
In response, the BCRFA - alongside ABLE BC and industry partners - sent a joint letter to WorkSafeBC calling for immediate action. In November 2025, ABLE BC and partners sent a follow-up letter to the President and Board Chair of WorkSafeBC, again urging a three-year delay in policy enforcement. Unfortunately, WorkSafeBC rejected this request outright. We were taken aback by their continued refusal to recognize how fragile the BC economy is. Their unwillingness to pursue a collaborative solution - like the one we achieved with the BCGEU - has created major uncertainty across our industry. ABLE BC has been working on this issue for over 24 months and remains steadfast in advocating for fair, practical policies that protect hospitality and service businesses across BC.
Next steps: ABLE BC and partners are preparing a very public response to ensure industry concerns are heard.
If you are contacted by WorkSafeBC regarding gratuity payroll audits or policy enforcement, please contact Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca.
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Holiday Cheers Start with Bartier Bros. Wines |
The holiday season is the perfect time to offer wines that bring guests back for more. Bartier Bros. crafts Okanagan-grown whites and reds, our Pristine wines from Washington, and the Piquette, a zero-sugar, low-alcohol option — all made with care and attention to detail. These wines pair beautifully with festive menus and seasonal gatherings, giving your customers and guests something to celebrate.
Keep your shelves and wine list stocked with wines that deliver exceptional quality and genuine value, making it easy to impress your guests and enhance every holiday moment. View our full portfolio here
To order: wine@bartierbros.com |
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. |
Read the Winter Issue of the Quarterly Pour |
The winter issue of the Quarterly Pour is out now! Read it here.
Featured articles in this issue: The Quarterly Pour is the official publication of ABLE BC. |
Registration Now Open: BC Tourism Industry Conference |
Mark your calendar for the 2026 BC Tourism Industry Conference, taking place March 4–6, 2026 at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort in beautiful Kelowna, BC.
2026 REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Visit the website to view the 2026 registration fees. Early bird rates are available with member and non-member pricing options. Full conference registrations include complete access to all conference sessions, workshops, silent auction, welcome reception, and the awards gala. Register at the early bird rate by January 14, 2026 to save on your registration! The theme for the 2026 conference is ‘The Transformative Power of BC Tourism'.
The "Transformative Power of BC Tourism” celebrates tourism’s ability to foster cultural understanding, revitalize local economies, and promote stewardship of the province’s natural and cultural assets. It underscores the idea that tourism, when thoughtfully managed, can be a powerful force for positive change and shared prosperity across British Columbia. 2026 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Get a first look at the 2026 BC Tourism Industry Conference program, outlining the flow of each day and highlighting special events including the Welcome Reception and the BC Tourism Industry Awards Gala. |
Ask an Expert: Barnet POS |
As BC’s leading point-of-sale provider for liquor retailers, Barnet POS knows that a reliable system starts with a solid foundation. Keeping your computer’s operating system and hardware in top condition is key to ensuring smooth, uninterrupted transactions, especially during your busiest hours.
Modern POS software demands consistent processing power, memory, and up-to-date software to perform at its best. Outdated hardware or missed updates can lead to slowdowns, system crashes, or even security vulnerabilities that impact sales and service. Barnet Expert Tip:
Stay ahead of issues by regularly updating your operating system and ensuring your hardware meets current specifications. To check performance, open your Task Manager (Windows: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and review CPU and memory usage. If your usage is consistently high, it may be time to upgrade or optimize your device. |
New Rules on Sick Notes for Employers |
Effective immediately, new rules limit when employers can ask for sick notes. The BC Government says, “These changes are based on input from health-care providers, who pointed to scientific evidence that shows most minor illnesses for adults, such as a cold and influenza, have symptoms that typically resolve within five days.”
Previously, the act allowed employers to request “reasonably sufficient proof” that an employee is sick. The changes to the act will clarify employers can’t request, and employees are not required to provide, a sick note written by a physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse as evidence that the employee’s short-term absence from work was related to illness or injury. The new regulations set a minimum standard and apply to all employees covered by the Employment Standards Act. |
Cannabis Corner: Retail Fee Reductions in North Van & Courtenay |
District of North Vancouver Reduces Cannabis Retail Fee
On October 20, the District of North Vancouver (DNV) Council unanimously approved proposed changes to cannabis retail operating hours and business licence fees, marking an important step toward improving the competitiveness of the local cannabis industry. Business licence fees will be gradually reduced over the next three years to bring them in line with liquor retailer fees by 2028.
ABLE BC has been advocating for these updates for nearly a year to Mayor Mike Little and Council ahead of the vote, commending the District’s balanced approach to cannabis policy. City of Courtenay Amends Annual Cannabis Retailer Fees
Additionally, the City of Courtenay has officially adopted amendments to its business licence bylaw, reducing annual fees for cannabis retailers and aligning them more closely with other retail businesses.
Courtenay Council approved Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 3199 – Storefront Cannabis Retailer, changing the annual business licence fee from a flat $2,500 per year to a tiered retail pricing model based on square footage. ABLE BC will continue working with municipalities across the province to ensure equitable, evidence-based cannabis retail policies that support a sustainable private sector for legal stores. |
go2HR on Tap: Gear Up for Winter - 3 Training Courses to Prepare Your Team |
As the winter season approaches, your workplace might be welcoming new staff, scaling up operations, and managing higher guest expectations. A bit of early training can go a long way in building confidence, reducing risks, and helping teams deliver the exceptional experiences BC is known for. These free online courses from go2HR, designed specifically for the Tourism & Hospitality industry, can help your team kick off the season safely and successfully:
Looking to take service excellence even further? Consider the shorter, refreshed SuperHost® programs (Foundations of Service Quality and Foundations of Inclusive Service) to strengthen customer experience and team performance. Together, these courses help build skilled, resilient teams who are ready for the months ahead.
Explore more training opportunities and get your team winter-ready. |
Top: Bo with SuperHR and Apigen Cannabis enjoying a night of hospitality at Spurs Country Bar
Bottom Left: Bo enjoying a margarita at La Mezcaleria on Commercial Drive post-BCGEU strike Bottom Right: ABLE BC's Jesse Sidhu with Stacy Kyle, Executive Director of IVSA enjoying "A Tasting of Wines from Italy” at the Terminal City Club |
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: |
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