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British Columbia: Six major industry associations demand immediate action to prevent economic disaster.  A coalition of British Columbia’s largest hospitality, wine, beer, import agent, liquor retail, and cannabis industry leaders is demanding immediate emergency measures to halt the serious economic damage being caused by the BCGEU strike and the province’s broken liquor & cannabis distribution system.

BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC), the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA), the BC Craft Brewers Guild, the Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA), Restaurants Canada, and Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) have united to sound the alarm about an industry on the brink of collapse due to a BCGEU strike that has cut off access to products from LDB Wholesale warehouses and BC Liquor Stores.

An industry survey is underway, currently with over 500 respondents, revealing that the strike is taking a massive economic toll on local businesses. As of October 17, 2025:

• 76% are facing workforce reductions
  • Over 6% have already made layoffs
  • 41% will lay off staff if the strike continues
  • 29% have already reduced employee hours
• 78% fear business closure
  • 40% are worried about their business viability now
  • Another 37% will be if the strike continues
• 66% experiencing significant cost increases
• 27% have over $100,000 in inventory trapped in warehouses, unable to reach consumers
• The coalition estimates the strike has already cost industry over $250 million in liquor sales.

Immediate Action Required

According to the Coalition, about half of hospitality, retail, and import agent sales take place between October and December and over the holiday season. Even if the strike were to end today, it will take months to clear the distribution backlog and to resume normal on-time deliveries to BC’s 10,000 hospitality and retail businesses. The coalition is calling for emergency measures and distribution flexibility to get liquor products flowing again during our busiest season.

Industry Joint Statement

“BC’s hospitality industry is not a bargaining chip. Yet we’re being punished by a labour dispute that has nothing to do with us, and that we have no ability to end. Our industry and the thousands who depend on it need an extraordinary plan now. Small businesses are already cutting staff hours. Inventory is trapped. When this strike ends, the LBD will not be able to process the backlog, which will be devastating for both consumers and businesses during the holiday season. Without immediate temporary concessions, doors will close and jobs will be lost permanently.”

About the Coalition

Together, these associations represent about 10,000 businesses and 200,000 workers in BC.

ABLE BC (Alliance of Beverage Licensees) represents the interests of private liquor & cannabis retailers, bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments across British Columbia, advocating for a fair and competitive marketplace.

BC Craft Brewers Guild represents the province’s independent craft brewing industry, supporting locally owned breweries that create jobs, drive tourism, and contribute to BC’s vibrant craft beer culture.

BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA) is the voice of British Columbia’s diverse foodservice industry, representing restaurants, caterers, and foodservice operators throughout the province who collectively employ thousands of British Columbians.

Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA) is a member-directed trade association representing licensed agents, importers, marketing groups, and trade offices who import, market, and distribute wine, spirits, beer, and other beverage alcohol products in BC and Alberta, connecting international producers with local retailers and consumers.

Restaurants Canada is a national association representing almost 30,000 foodservice businesses across Canada, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions, and suppliers, united in shaping a thriving future for the foodservice industry.

Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) represents BC’s licensed grape wineries that produce 100% British Columbia VQA wines, supporting the province’s world-class wine industry and the thousands of jobs it sustains in viticulture, production, hospitality, and tourism across nine wine regions.

Contacts for media inquiries:

• Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC): Christina Skinner, Communications Manager. cskinner@winebc.com250.863.9379
• BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA): Ian Tostenson. President and CEO. itostenson@bcrfa.com604-986-1429
• Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA): Stacy Kyle, Executive Director. stacy@ivsa.ca 604-230-4666
• Restaurants Canada: Mark von Schellwitz, Vice President, Western Canada. mark@restaurantscanada.org604-685-9655
• BC Craft Brewers Guild: Ken Beattie, Executive Director. ken@bccraftbeer.com
• ABLE BC: Bo Chen, Executive Director. bo@ablebc.ca 778-387-3108

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