Liquor Industry Update: September 4, 2025

CORRECTED VERSION, BCGEU Update, FIFA 2026, and More! -----------------------------------------------

Liquor Industry Update:

September 4, 2025

We identified a few errors in the version we sent earlier this afternoon. This email contains the corrected details. Thank you for your patience and for staying up to date with ABLE BC!

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

Here's the latest news for the private liquor industry:

Reminder: ABLE BC Memberships Now Overdue
Update: BCGEU Job Action
Update: BCLC SST Card Payment Service
You're Invited: Swirl Around BC Wine Expo on September 23
Message to ABLE BC Members: BDL Wholesale Order Concerns
BC Agriculture & Food Export Program Applications Close Sept 5
FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver Community Activation Playbook for Businesses

What you'll find in every newsletter:

Cannabis Corner: Surrey's First Cannabis Store Opens
go2HR on Tap: New Guide to Worker Injury Management for BC Tourism & Hospitality
Out and About with ABLE BC
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars

PAST NEWSLETTERS

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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.

RENEW MEMBERSHIP

Update on BCGEU Job Action

ICYMI - here is the latest regarding the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) job action.

Last Friday, the BCGEU concluded its job action vote:

Voter turnout: 86%
Support for strike action: 92% in favour
72-hour notice issued: Friday afternoon

Since the vote, we have issued dedicated communications to ensure members and industry stakeholders remain informed. Additionally, ABLE BC is currently engaged with government partners, the BCGEU, and other stakeholders to raise our shared concerns and also to provide clarity for industry.

Current Status
As of today's newsletter, no job action has been initiated that impacts liquor distribution. However, the BCGEU has begun job action in other parts of the public sector, with picket lines reported in Victoria, Surrey, Prince George, and most recently downtown Vancouver. These actions are directed towards different ministries of the provincial government and do not have direct impacts to the liquor supply chain in BC.

ABLE BC’s Ongoing Advocacy
We recognize the uncertainty this creates for your business and are continuously monitoring the situation closely to provide updates as they become available.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Bo Chen: bo@ablebc.ca.

RESOURCES

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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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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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BCLC Update: SST Card Payment Service

The BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is currently working to resolve the temporary service interruption affecting debit and credit card payments on Self-Serve Terminals (SSTs).

Last week, BCLC advised Hospitality Network partners that they have encountered an unexpected delay in the reactivation timeline. At this time, BCLC is unable to confirm when card payment functionality will be fully restored. They emphasized that resolving this issue remains a top priority and committed to providing further updates as soon as more information becomes available.

On this matter, 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."

ABLE BC will continue to bring more updates.

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Bo: bo@ablebc.ca.

You're Invited: Swirl Around BC Wine Expo on September 23

Registration is open for Swirl Around BC Wine Expo on September 23, 2025: a day-long celebration of BC wine, including the latest releases and in-depth discussions with the diverse and talented producers who crafted them from grape to glass.

This year, Wine Growers British Columbia has worked with the talented teams at WinePlus+, Barbarian Consulting, and Kurtis Kolt to develop four seminars that will complement the walk-around trade tastings that feature more than 55 BC wineries participating.

Registration Details

Please select your preferred registration time below for the walk-around trade tasting (morning or afternoon) and preferred seminars:

Swirl Around BC Wine Expo – Morning Walk-around Trade Tasting
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | Pan Pacific Hotel, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Swirl Around BC Wine Expo – Afternoon Walk-around Trade Tasting
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | Pan Pacific Hotel, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Wine Growers BC recommends the afternoon trade tasting for those attending morning seminars, and the morning trade tasting for those attending afternoon seminars. Note that seminar seating is extremely limited.

Message to ABLE BC Members: BDL Wholesale Order Concerns

Recently, many of ABLE BC Members have raised their concerns about BDL's system outage last week that has disrupted wholesale orders, inventory levels, and product deliveries to their establishments.

As we're looking into this matter, ABLE BC's Bo Chen comments:

"I appreciate you all taking the time to bring this issue to our attention and I understand the frustrations you are all currently facing as this has been disruptive to your businesses.

It appears the system is still down, but rest assured the ABLE BC Team and I are aware of this emerging situation and we've reached out to BDL's management team to express your shared concerns. I'm hopeful to bring updates from BDL on behalf of our members regarding this issue in a timely manner."

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Bo: bo@ablebc.ca.

BC Agriculture & Food Export Program Applications Close September 5

Food and beverage producers and processors in British Columbia can now access new funding to help expand sales and build export markets - strengthening both individual businesses and the province’s economy for the future.

The B.C. Agriculture and Food Export Program, funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), supports eligible B.C. food and beverage businesses and associations to increase international opportunities and grow export markets.

The program provides cost-shared funding for activities such as:

Attending international trade shows and missions
Running in-market sampling and promotions
Developing digital campaigns and promotional materials
Building distributor and retailer relationships abroad

Applications are open until September 5, 2025. The program is delivered by MNP. For full program details and eligibility, visit the BC Agriculture and Food Export Program website.

APPLY NOW

FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver Community Activation Playbook for Businesses

The FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver™ Community Activation Playbook is now live.

With more than 350,000 fans expected to attend the seven Vancouver matches at BC Place, excitement is building across the city and province. For businesses, residents, and communities throughout BC, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the sport, showcase our vibrant culture, and bring people together for matches and festivities.

This Playbook is your guide to joining the FIFA World Cup 26™ celebrations. It includes practical tips on community activation, permitting, and public viewing so you can bring the FIFA World Cup atmosphere to life province-wide.

ABLE BC Advocacy
Earlier this week, ABLE BC - along with other industry associations - met with the City of Vancouver’s FIFA 2026 planning committee. This meeting ensured industry perspectives were heard and allowed ABLE BC to share the Community Activation Playbook directly with members and partners. Our goal is to help you plan ahead and take full advantage of this historic event.

In this Playbook, you’ll find:

Creative celebration ideas: country flags, soccer themes, community pride
Information on FIFA Public Viewing Licenses and how to obtain one
Brand use rules (note: FIFA marks, logos, slogans, and other branding cannot be used without licensing/official partnership)
Guidance for Vancouver-based businesses on hosting events during FIFA World Cup 26™, including how to obtain permits via the City of Vancouver

Call for FIFA World Cup 26™ Volunteers

Being part of the FIFA World Cup 26™ volunteer team is a unique chance to help deliver the world’s largest sporting event - uniting three countries, 16 Host Cities, and billions of fans around the globe. Volunteer Team Tryouts start in October - apply as soon as possible!

Volunteer roles include:

Supporting operations at BC Place in Vancouver
Welcoming fans along stadium routes
Assisting at the FIFA Fan Festival™
Acting as local ambassadors to showcase Vancouver’s culture, diversity, and hospitality

Find out more about FIFA World Cup 26™ volunteering opportunities including key details and dates.

Questions?
If you have any questions about the Playbook or how ABLE BC can support your business as you prepare for FIFA World Cup 26™, please contact Bo: bo@ablebc.ca.

DOWNLOAD PLAYBOOK

Cannabis Corner: Surrey's First Cannabis Store Opens

Surrey’s first legal cannabis retail store has officially opened. Last Friday, Imagine Cannabis welcomed customers at its new Newton location on King George Boulevard and 74 Avenue - a milestone moment for the province’s second-largest city.

This marks the first of a dozen cannabis retailers approved by Surrey City Council earlier this year, long after other Metro Vancouver municipalities had moved forward with legal cannabis retail. This shared industry achievement is something ABLE BC is particularly proud of as we have been a strong advocate for opening up legal cannabis retail bylaws in Surrey and other communities.

About Imagine Cannabis
Imagine Cannabis is operated by Harp Hoonjan, who first secured the Newton retail space in September 2022. The company has grown steadily since launching in Courtenay five years ago and now operating multiple locations in BC.

Harp is also an active member of ABLE BC’s Cannabis Committee, helping shape advocacy priorities and industry policies to support the growth of a responsible and successful legal cannabis retail sector in British Columbia.

What’s Next
As of mid-August, 11 of the 12 approved cannabis stores in Surrey have received rezoning approval, with the last expected in September. ABLE BC is looking forward to the future development of legal and responsible cannabis retail operators within this community.

ABLE BC's Bo Chen (L) and Wine Growers BC's Jeff Guignard (R) with Surrey City Councillor Linda Annis

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go2HR on Tap: New Guide to Worker Injury Management for BC Tourism & Hospitality

go2HR has developed a new visual guide to help employers in our sector manage workplace injuries effectively - including both physical and psychological injuries.

The guide walks through best practices for supporting workers across different levels of injury - from minor to severe - with clear steps for:

First aid and medical care
Time loss and return-to-work planning
Communication and documentation
Mental health support during recovery

This resource is designed to ensure safer, more effective reintegration for injured workers, while helping employers meet their responsibilities with confidence.

Out and About with ABLE BC