Important Service Update: LDB Wholesale Customer Centre and Distribution Centres Closed Temporarily

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

LDB Wholesale Operations has asked us to circulate this message. 

As of 3:30 pm today, due to strike action by the BCGEU, the LDB has temporarily shut down its distribution centres and Wholesale Customer Centre. This means that BC's liquor and cannabis businesses will not receive any products from the LDB until the strike action is over.

Like you, we are deeply frustrated and disappointed by this situation. By targeting the wholesale distribution centres, the BCGEU is bringing BC's entire $15 billion liquor and cannabis industries into their labour dispute, which is unfair and irresponsible. This strike will now impact thousands of small businesses struggling to recover from the pandemic, and the nearly 200,000 people our industry employs.

We are continuing to meet with government to discuss contingencies and to seek answers your questions. We will bring you further updates as we have them. 

In the meantime, please see the update below from LDB Wholesale.

From: LDB Wholesale Operations

Due to the current job action by the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU), the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) will temporarily close its distribution centres and Wholesale Customer Centres (WCC).

Thank you for sharing this notice with your members.

This means, as of 3:30 p.m. today and until further notice:

  • the LDB liquor distribution centres will not receive product or assemble and ship orders

  • appointments at the distribution centres are cancelled and once they reopen, please contact the distribution centre to reschedule

  • the Liquor Wholesale Customer Centres in Vancouver and Victoria will be closed and phone calls and emails will not be answered

  • Liquor Wholesale customer orders will be accepted on Webstore but will not be assembled or shipped until job action ends and LDB operations resume

  • orders submitted by email will not be entered and should be resubmitted once WCC reopens

  • returns can be submitted but will not be processed

  • customers will not be able to pick up orders at WCC Victoria or the Delta Distribution Centre

  • product allocations can be submitted but will not be assembled or shipped until job action ends and LDB operations resume

BCLIQUOR’s retail locations will remain open. Additional LDB services unaffected by the current job action include:

  • credit card updates, PAP/PAD

  • electronic data services

We commit to providing updates to industry impacts as they become known. Important notices will be posted on the following websites:

We sincerely apologize for this disruption. We recognize the news of the current job action may be concerning for your members.

We value our industry partnerships and will continue to work together to serve our mutual customers.

Ann Brydle