Restart Updates: LDB, ABLE BC Townhalls, Surveys, and More! ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update:
October 30, 2025 |
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Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: What you'll find in every newsletter: |
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Restart Update: LDB Operations |
Thank you for your patience, endurance, and tenacity during BC's longest public strike in history.
As you know, on Sunday, the BCGEU announced it has reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government. The picket lines on liquor distribution have now come down and everyone is back at work while we wait for the BCGEU's ratification vote. Latest Restart Update from LDB LDB Wholesale Operations: - All orders placed on or before September 22 (the start of the strike) have been fulfilled.
- Distribution centres are operating 24/7, with additional carrier and warehouse resources allocated to support the restart.
Hospitality HUBs: -
To help hospitality customers replenish quickly, the LDB has created 15 temporary Hospitality HUBs at select BCLIQUOR locations.
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Wholesale Customer Centre in Victoria is also available to their hospitality customers.
- These HUBs are stocked with high-volume spirits and wines for hospitality orders, and delivery of top-selling SKUs is being prioritized.
Non-Stocked Wholesale Product (NSWP): - NSWP orders are being placed and fulfilled.
- On October 27, over
18,000 case orders were created - well above the typical 2,000 daily average - so fulfillment will take longer.
- Orders are being picked and transferred to the LDB Distribution Centre by a third-party warehouse and shipped in the order received. If the order does not arrive in time to be included in the scheduled shipment, it will be added to the next available shipment.
Wholesale Operations Resources
FYI, the following memos and updates are now available on LDB Wholesale Operations News: |
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The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has resumed full operations, focusing on licensing and inspections to help businesses open or continue operating without further delay.
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Applications that were ready for final approval before job action are being processed first, followed by those needing new final inspections. Staff are also moving quickly on temporary change and special event permit applications with upcoming event dates, and helping those who may have been stalled due to system or payment issues experienced during job action.
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LCRB will also review everything that was submitted during the job action, reaching out to applicants with next steps, and completing final inspections as quickly as possible so businesses aren’t held up any longer than necessary.
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Our Compliance and Enforcement staff has also resumed time-sensitive investigations and follow-ups on public-safety complaints, while all other regular LCRB functions will resume as soon as possible, with efforts focused on efficiently reducing backlogs and supporting the businesses and communities that depend on these services.
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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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Register Now: ABLE BC Liquor Industry Townhall on November 4 |
ABLE BC members are invited to join us for a Liquor Industry Townhall: Tuesday, November 4 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PST online. During the townhall, we will discuss: - Checking in on inventory post-BCGEU strike and how is everyone doing?
- Any gaps or issues with the restart after Week 1?
- Questions or clarifications needed on the current system?
Join the Microsoft Teams meeting on November 4 by using this link. |
Industry Surveys
In addition to the townhall, ABLE BC is conducting two short surveys to gather member feedback on restarting operations post-strike - one for hospitality businesses and one for private liquor retail stores (LRS). To participate, please email Bo at bo@ablebc.ca to receive the survey links. |
Save the Date: ABLE BC Member Event on November 27 |
Raising the Bar: 50 Years of Hospitality & Celebration
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.
Stay tuned for full details!
Expect delicious appies, great networking, tastings, and meaningful conversations about the key issues shaping our industry.
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. |
ABLE BC remains fully engaged with ContainerWorld as part of the province-wide restart effort. ContainerWorld has been a supportive and solution-oriented partner during this recovery phase, taking swift and meaningful action to help stabilize supply and fulfill orders across BC. Earlier this week, ABLE BC connected with ContainerWorld to learn about their efforts in accelerating distribution and support industry's recovery. ContainerWorld has: -
Hired additional distribution staff to increase capacity
- Allocated more resources, including trucks and repackaging machines, to speed up turnaround times
- Been operating 24/7 since Sunday, ensuring products move efficiently through the supply chain
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Bartier Bros. Wines - Delivered Direct |
Bartier Bros. started in the South Okanagan with a simple mission: make wines that reflect their place, taste approachable, and pair beautifully with food. Today, we craft a portfolio that includes bright, expressive Okanagan whites and reds, our Pristine wines from Washington (grown in Washington, made in BC), and the Piquette — a zero-sugar, low-alcohol option for customers looking for something lighter, all offering remarkable value for the quality.
Maintaining your wine program is simple with direct delivery across BC. Whether you’re refreshing your menu, updating your cellar, or adding wines your customers already love, our team makes the process easy, reliable, and tailored to your needs. View our full portfolio here
To order: wine@bartierbros.com |
Products Available on Direct Delivery |
Since the start of the strike, ABLE BC has been collaborating with our industry partners to compile existing lists of breweries, distilleries, and manufacturers that are able to ship directly to licensees. Our aim is to help members navigate supply options during these times more easily and ensure that support for local brands in your communities are highlighted as well. Please note this will be the last edition of our liquor newsletter to include this section.
For any future advertising & promotions with ABLE BC, please refer to our 2026 Media Kit section below. For Liquor: |
New 2026 Media Kit from EMC Publications |
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 1-800-667-0955 or joyce@emcmarketing.com to book in now! Partner with ABLE BC
Looking for more ways to connect with ABLE BC’s members, support our advocacy work, and grow your brand? An Associate Membership is the best way to maximize your relationship with ABLE BC.
Plus, ABLE BC Associate Members receive a 15% discount on print and digital advertising! Contact Jesse Sidhu, Manager of Membership & Events at jesse@ablebc.ca to learn more. |
New Serious Illness or Injury Leave for BC Employees |
In 2024, the British Columbia government made a commitment to provide better peace of mind for people dealing with major medical conditions.
On October 20, 2025, the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, introduced Bill 30, the Employment Standards (Serious Illness or Injury Leave) Amendment Act, 2025. If passed by the Legislative Assembly, Bill 30 will establish a new, unpaid job protected leave entitlement of up to 27 weeks in a 52-week period for employees experiencing serious illness or injury. This timeframe aligns with financial support available through the federal Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits program, and with serious illness and injury leave in other Canadian jurisdictions. Learn more: |
Early Bird Registration for the 2026 BCHA Summit is Now Open |
The British Columbia Hotel Association invites you to the 2026 BCHA Summit, taking place April 14 - 15, 2026 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo.
Join BC's hospitality community for two days of learning, connection, and celebration as we come together to shape a stronger, smarter future for our industry. About the BCHA Summit: The BCHA Summit is the must-attend event for BC's hospitality industry, bringing together hoteliers, educators, suppliers, key industry stakeholders, and emerging leaders for thought-provoking sessions, valuable connections, and unforgettable experiences. This year's theme - Future Ready: Strategies for a Stronger, Smarter Sector - highlights the people, ideas, and opportunities that will elevate our industry.
What to Expect:
- An expanded program designed to deliver even more value for attendees
- A vibrant Marketplace, connecting innovative suppliers with hospitality professionals
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The Awards of Excellence Gala, celebrating excellence across BC's hospitality community
Early Bird Registration is Now Open!
Claim your early bird rate and experience two transformative days in Nanaimo - the Harbour City. |
Cannabis Corner: BC Minister of Agriculture and Cannabis |
ABLE BC has remained committed to on-going advocacy work with Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham to ensure that efforts in building essential cannabis policies will continue on.
ABLE BC's Bo Chen commented:
" It was a pleasure to host Minister Popham and her team for a craft cannabis facility tour. I appreciate the Minister for making time during her busy wineries tour schedule to engage our industry and start the progress towards building a collaborative relationship. The engagements have been very productive, I personally enjoyed how passionate the Minister was in learning more about our industry as well as connecting her directly with our members from different regions." |
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. |
BC’s private liquor, hospitality, and cannabis businesses have just endured the longest public sector strike in the province’s history.
Throughout this challenging period, ABLE BC remained focused on empowering our members, advocating for the industry, and listening closely to the diverse perspectives within our membership to understand both struggles and solutions.
ABLE BC is proud to have stood alongside you every step of the way - and we’ll continue to do so as we move forward together to face new challenges and opportunities. |
Industry Speaks Up in the Media Over the past several weeks, ABLE BC and our members have been actively engaging with media to ensure your concerns remain front and centre in the public conversation. New This Update: - On the Coast with Gloria Macarenko: Bars, liquor stores focusing on recovery after BCGEU ends job action
- My Creston Now: BC liquor, cannabis distributors working overtime to get back to normal
- CBC News: BC restaurants, alcohol importers relieved over tentative deal in public service strike
- AM 1150: BCGEU says meditation talks progressing as strike impacts widen across BC
- Times Chronicle: Industry associations warn of collapse on back of BCGEU strike
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Castanet: Hard-hit industries says they are 'not a bargaining chip' and issue call for action
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Kamloops BC Now: Survey paints grim picture for BC's hospitality industry if BCGEU strike doesn't end soon
You can explore our running list of media coverage to stay up to date on how the industry’s voice is being shared. |
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: |
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