Restaurants Canada statement on BC Liquor strike entering sixth week

Restaurants and bars in BC are quickly running out of liquor inventory, as the BC Liquor strike enters its sixth week with no resolution in sight. Restaurants Canada is urging the BC government and the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) to reach an agreement. If one can’t be reached this week, the BC government should allow restaurants and bars to purchase liquor from private liquor stores so they can continue serving their customers.

Alcohol sales are important to the profitability of many foodservice businesses, many of which are small independent businesses. With 41% of restaurants operating at a loss or just breaking even, taking away their ability to serve alcohol may push some to the brink of closure. This threatens not just the viability of the foodservice industry in BC, but also the jobs of the 183,000 British Columbians it employs, many of whom are youth.

BC restaurants and bars have not been able to purchase liquor from the Liquor Distribution Branch for over a month and now all BC Liquor stores are also closed, preventing licensees from acquiring even small quantities of inventory (three items per SKU per day). Most licensees are now days away from running out of liquor inventory which they need to run their businesses. The hospitality industry is already seeing significant strike related cost increases and operational impacts, including reducing operating hours and temporarily laying off staff.

We need to see the BC government and the BCGEU reach a mutual agreement, but foodservice businesses can’t continue bearing the burden of this strike. If the BC government can’t find a solution to allow foodservice businesses to purchase alcohol, either from BC Liquor or from private liquor stores, it needs to consider back to work legislation.

• Mark von Schellwitz, Vice-President for Western Canada, Restaurants Canada

Media Contact:

Milena Stanoeva, Restaurants Canada | media@restaurantscanada.org | 647-921-1758

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a $124 billion industry employing nearly 1.2 million Canadians and the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada. Visit restaurantscanada.org for more information.