BCGEU Job Action Update, New LCRB Policies, BC Budget Update, and More! ----------------------------------------------- |
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Liquor Industry Update:
September 18, 2025 |
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Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry: - Reminder: ABLE BC Memberships Now Overdue
- Update on BCGEU Job Action
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LCRB Update: Liquor Licensing Changes for Private Corporations
- BCLC Update: SST Card Payment Service Restored
- BC Releases First Quarterly Budget Update for 2025/26
- Vancouver Officially Adopts Extension of Liquor Serving Bylaws
- Reminder: BDL Beer for Business System Restored
- BC Hospitality Foundation Spirit of Hospitality
- go2HR August 2025 Labour Market Update
- Discover Your Next Best Seller at IVSA Kelowna Buyers Salon
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Save the Date: 2026 BC Hotel Association Summit
- Global Payments Fall Savings for ABLE BC Members
What you'll find in every newsletter:
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Reminder: ABLE BC Memberships Now Overdue
ABLE BC memberships expired on September 1, 2025. If you haven’t renewed your membership, you are at risk of losing access to free resources and exclusive services and pricing from our benefit providers.
Login to the Member Portal now to renew!
ABLE BC is your seat at the table. We are your united voice, and we make a strong impact on government, ensuring your concerns are heard and addressed.
We are only able to do this work because of the support of our members. Put simply, ABLE BC does not exist without your membership dues.
If you have questions about your renewal, don't know how to log into the Member Portal, or would like to discuss a payment plan, please contact Jesse Sidhu, Manager of Membership Services, at jesse@ablebc.ca or 604-961-3620.
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Update on BCGEU Job Action |
On September 12, the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) escalated job action by launching an overtime ban covering more than 1,700 Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) workers. In total, over 6,000 public service workers were engaged in job action at that time. The overtime ban applies to the following LDB sites: - BCLDB Head Office
- Delta Distribution Centre (Liquor)
- Richmond Distribution Centre (Cannabis)
- Kamloops Distribution Centre (Liquor)
We shared a full update with members on September 12, including statements from LDB Wholesale and LDB Cannabis. You can read that full update here. Since then, BCGEU job action has expanded further: -
September 18: New picket lines were launched in Victoria (Ministry of Citizens’ Services) and Burnaby (Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch). These workers provide essential services including issuing BC Services Cards, managing IT systems, and regulating the province’s gaming industry.
ABLE BC Advocacy
ABLE BC met with BCGEU President Paul Finch earlier this week to raise awareness of industry concerns regarding escalating job action in the liquor and cannabis sectors.
Shortly after, we held industry townhalls for both liquor and cannabis members. During these sessions, ABLE BC Committees and members acknowledged the importance of uniting together as an industry to strategize and navigate the road ahead.
ABLE BC's Bo Chen shared:
“I’m glad the BCGEU leadership took the time to meet with ABLE BC leaders. It was a good opportunity for industry to speak up and help raise awareness on our concerns of being caught in the middle. However things play out, we remain committed to advocating for small businesses in BC’s private liquor and cannabis sector.” ABLE BC will continue to monitor the situation closely, advocate on behalf of members, and keep the industry apprised of further developments.
Questions or concerns on advocacy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Bo (bo@ablebc.ca). |
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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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LCRB Update: Liquor Licensing Changes for Private Corporations |
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The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has announced changes to liquor licensing processes for private corporations, effective September 18, 2025. These updates are intended to streamline applications, reduce paperwork, and help the LCRB identify tied house relationships more efficiently.
These changes affect the following licence types: - Agent
- Catering
- Food Primary
- Licensee Retail Store
- Liquor Primary
- Manufacturer
- Rural Licensee Retail Store
- Wine Store and Special Wine Store
What’s Changing: -
Share transfers: Private corporations will no longer need to report internal or external share transfers (TSE/TSI), except for Manufacturer and Agent licences.
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Shareholder information: Licensees will no longer need to provide detailed shareholder breakdowns. Instead, the LCRB will collect information only on directors and officers for all liquor application types, except manufacturers and agents.
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New applications and transfers: For new licence applications or transfers, all directors and officers of private corporations must submit a criminal record check and personal history summary form.
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Ongoing updates: Private corporations must report any changes to their directors or officers (except for Manufacturer and Agent licences).
What's new in the licensing portal: - Tied house rules and new, streamlined online application:
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Generally, tied house relationships between licensees and manufacturers or agents are prohibited under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.
- Directors and officers of a private corporation are now included when determining if a tied house relationship exists.
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To support these changes, applicants and licensees can now report tied house associations through the Permanent Change to a Licensee application in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.
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New online Legal Entity Review process:
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The General Manager has the authority to determine whether a licensee or applicant is fit and proper to hold a license. This includes the ability to request documentation from a licensee to assess their legal entity such as their corporate structure.
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To support this authority, the branch is introducing a new Legal Entity Review process, managed through the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.
Why this matters:
These changes will reduce documentation requirements for most licensees, simplify oversight, and help the LCRB make licensing decisions faster.
For more details, please see the official LCRB Bulletin 25-04: Updates to liquor licensing process for private corporations. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the LCRB directly at LCRBLiquorPolicy@gov.bc.ca. |
BCLC Update: SST Card Payment Service Restored |
Effective September 9, 2025, the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) resolved the temporary service interruption affecting debit and credit card payments on Self-Serve Terminals (SSTs). Lottery Self Serve Terminals PIN pads have been successfully tested and transactions are being monitored daily.
Previously, BCLC advised Hospitality Network partners of unexpected delays in restoring SST card payments. Bo Chen shared:
“I’ve been meeting with the BCLC senior management team regarding the technical and reconciliation issue impacting self-serve terminals. This is a top priority for BCLC and I'm confident they are resolving this matter with urgency. BCLC has assured us that they are communicating with impacted retailers and will remain engaged with us to provide further updates." Questions? Contact Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca. |
BC Releases First Quarterly Budget Update for 2025/26 |
The B.C. government released its First Quarterly Budget Report for 2025/26 on September 15, projecting a deficit of $11.6 billion for 2025-26. This represents an increase of $665 million from the original budget forecast. Looking ahead, the province projects deficits of $12.6 billion in 2026-27 and $12.3 billion in 2027-28. Key factors impacting the deficit include: - Loss of $2.8 billion in revenue following elimination of the carbon price.
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Lower revenues from property transfer tax ($247 million), sales tax, natural resources, and federal contributions.
- Higher costs for fire management.
- Partial mitigation from increased corporate income tax revenue and B.C.’s share of the $32.5 billion settlement against tobacco companies.
Economic Outlook - Near-term: Lower growth is projected for 2025 and 2026 due to tariffs, a slowing global economy, and a softer housing market.
- Medium-term: Stability expected from B.C.’s strong labour market, exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and increased residential construction.
Government Response
Finance Minister Brenda Bailey stated:
“In the current fiscal and economic climate, we’re focusing on the key services that people and families need, and protecting the services we all depend on now, and for the future. This work is ongoing as we plan for Budget 2026.”
Bailey also emphasized the province’s approach of “being focused with spending, making smart reductions where possible, and being strategic with investments to drive economic growth and foster innovation.”
For more details, you can read the full First Quarterly Report here or Global News coverage here. |
Vancouver Officially Adopts Extension of Liquor Serving Bylaws |
In July, we shared the news of a significant advocacy win for Vancouver’s hospitality sector: City Council voted to extend allowable liquor service hours across the city.
We are pleased to share that the official bylaw amendments enacting these changes were adopted this week. Licensees are able to formally apply for extended hours under the new framework.
To recap, the changes are as follows: -
Liquor Primaries in downtown Vancouver: may apply to serve liquor until 4:00 AM.
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Liquor Primaries outside of downtown: may apply to serve until 3:00 AM on weekends and 2:00 AM on weekdays.
- Restaurants citywide: may apply to serve liquor until 2:00 AM.
This milestone is the result of years of advocacy from ABLE BC, working in collaboration with City of Vancouver staff and key industry partners. Together, we have been pushing to modernize outdated policies and ensure B.C.’s hospitality sector remains viable, vibrant, and competitive.
Members with licensing and compliance questions related to these changes are encouraged to connect directly with Rebecca Hardin at Thrive Advisors. |
Reminder: BDL Beer for Business System Restored |
As a reminder, the BDL Beer for Business System was fully restored as of Friday, September 5, 2025. On that day, ABLE BC also sent a memo with details about the restoration.
A number of our members raised concerns about this recent wholesale order system outage at BDL’s Coquitlam facility. To help better understand the issue and alleviate growing concerns, ABLE BC’s Bo Chen reached out directly to BDL. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated as needed. If you need further assistance, please contact BDL's Customer Experience Centre at 1-800-661-2337 or bdl@bdl.ca. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to Bo at bo@ablebc.ca. |
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BC Hospitality Foundation Spirit of Hospitality |
ABLE BC's Charity of Choice, the BC Hospitality Foundation puts on The Spirit of Hospitality Lottery each year. It's back - and it's bigger than ever! This year it’s an all-Canadian lottery to raise $65,000 in support of hospitality workers.
What’s in store? - 3 Early Bird Draws kicking off September 29
- 14 Grand Prizes up for grabs, including unforgettable experiences such as a Rocky Mountaineer rail tour and a Big White ski vacation
Tickets start at just $5, but don’t wait - sales close on October 30, with the final draw on October 31.
Secure your tickets today and get in on your chance to win incredible Canadian experiences—all while supporting a great cause.
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go2HR August 2025 Labour Market Update |
BC’s tourism and hospitality industry saw employment decline in August after two months of summer growth, falling below pre-pandemic levels as seasonal demand eased.
Labour market data shows a 6.8% drop month-over-month, with 335,500 jobs compared to 360,000 in July - 14,750 fewer than August 2019. The labour force contracted 8.6%, with broad declines across Food & Beverage, Recreation & Entertainment, and Transportation & Travel. Despite lower participation, the unemployment rate fell to 2.3%, below August 2019’s 3.2%, highlighting a tighter labour market.
These trends underscore the industry’s sensitivity to changing travel patterns and ongoing economic uncertainty, reinforcing the importance of careful workforce planning as the sector moves out of peak season.
Key Highlights - Employment decreased by 6.8 percent to 335,500 jobs, 14,750 below August 2019 levels.
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The labour force contracted by 8.6 percent to 343,500, remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
- The unemployment rate decreased from 4.2 percent in July to 2.3 percent in August, below the 3.2 percent recorded in August 2019.
- Regional Trends
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Employment declined across all regions except Kootenay, which rose above pre-pandemic levels.
- Cariboo, Lower Mainland, Thompson Okanagan, Northern BC, and Vancouver Island regions all remain below 2019 benchmarks.
Sector Performance - Employment decreased across the Food and Beverage, Recreation and Entertainment, and Transportation and Travel sectors.
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Accommodation registered modest gains, becoming the only sector above pre-pandemic employment levels.
- Full-time employment edged down slightly to 65 percent overall.
For detailed monthly updates and regional breakdowns, visit go2HR’s Employment Tracker. |
Discover Your Next Best Seller at IVSA Kelowna Buyers Salon |
Discover, taste, connect at Laurel Packinghouse at the IVSA Kelowna Buyers Salon: September 24, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Where import agents connect directly with the hospitality trade, sommeliers, liquor retailers, and industry professionals. Discover new products, make valuable connections, and experience the best the industry has to offer.
Register Here.
Here's some of what's pouring: -
Cobees is pouring: Ruche Di Castagnole Monferrato - Ferraris Clasic, La Mancha Macabeo - LA Villa Real, Veneto Pinot Nero - Cescon Italo Il Tralcetto and more!
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Crush is pulling out all the stops with Juno Wines Grenache Noir, Frank Sauvignon Blanc, Montgermont Cremant Vin Mousseux and more delicious sips!
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Pacific Wine & Spirits invites you to fall in love with Chateau Daviaud Bordeaux 2022, Jim Barry Barry & Sons Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Champagne Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV and more!
There are more than 20 importers pouring your next best seller. View Salon Directory. |
Save the Date: 2026 BC Hotel Association Summit |
Planning is underway for the 2026 BCHA Summit - mark your calendars!
Dates: April 14-15, 2026
Location: Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo, BC
Building on past success, this year’s program will be expanded to deliver even more value to attendees.
Registration will open in October on the conference website. |
Global Payments Fall Savings for ABLE BC Members |
Are you paying more than you should for your payment processing?
Make use of this limited-time offer from Global Payments and start accepting payments anywhere - online, through mobile, in-store, and more, for less.
Global Payments is pleased to partner with ABLE BC to make payments simple for your business, so you can focus on what matters the most - your customers. Special Limited-Time Offer for ABLE BC Members: - Free terminal rental*. Rent up to two (2) POS terminals at no additional cost for the first three (3) months.
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Free cost analysis. No obligation business review and cost analysis to identify potential savings opportunities for your business.
Learn more here.
For more details or a free no-obligation quote, please contact: Pam Carleton Phone: 604-551-0994
Email: pamela.carleton@globalpay.com
Visit: go.globalpayments.com/en-ca/ablebc
*This offer is valid from September 15, 2025 through January 31, 2026, and is applicable to new Global Payment clients in Canada only who have not conducted any business with Global Payments in the past 12 months. For full terms and conditions, please refer here. |
Cannabis Corner: StratCann's Growing Relationships Event in Nanaimo |
StratCann is bringing its Growing Relationships event to Nanaimo on Friday, September 19 - the first time to Vancouver Island! This B2B event is designed exclusively for licensed cannabis retailers to connect with multiple producers, discover new products, and participate in timely discussions on BC’s retail landscape.
As an ABLE BC member, you’ll receive a special discount on tickets - If you’re interested in attending, please check your email inboxes for the promo code for ABLE BC Cannabis Members. Don’t miss this unique chance to meet growers, exchange ideas, and build stronger industry connections!
Learn more and register here. |
go2HR on Tap: New Recruiting & Onboarding Tools to Elevate Your HR Strategy |
go2HR has expanded its HR Toolkit with new, free resources to help Tourism & Hospitality employers streamline hiring and strengthen onboarding. New tools include 30-Day and 90-Day Performance Review Templates to guide early feedback and set clear expectations, plus a Step-by-Step Recruitment Process and Recruitment & Selection Checklist to bring consistency and efficiency to hiring.
You’ll also find practical resources like a guide to Candidate Ghosting, a legal overview for Hiring Youth 15 Years & Younger, and customizable Application for Employment Templates (formal and casual) for different roles. Together, these tools provide ready-to-use support for attracting, assessing, and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
Explore go2HR's new tools. |
Out and About with ABLE BC |
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: - IVSA Fall Buyers Salon Kelowna: September 24, 2025
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Retail West in Vancouver: September 25, 2025
- Webinar - The Last Call Project & Creating Safer Hospitality Spaces: September 25, 2025
Global Rum Festival: September 27, 2025 Victoria International Wine Festival: October 2-4, 2025 -
go2HR Webinar - Implementing Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace: October 9, 2025
2025 Northern BC Tourism Summit: October 15-17, 2025
BC Restaurant Hall of Fame: October 20, 2025 - IVSA Fall Buyers Salon Victoria: October 22, 2025
TOTA Summit: October 22-23, 2025 - BC Food & Beverage Rise Awards in Vancouver: November 20, 2025
2026 BC Tourism Industry Conference in Kelowna: March 4-6, 2026 - BCHA Summit in Nanaimo: April 14-15, 2026
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