B.C. restaurants on the brink as liquor supply dries up amid BCGEU strike

An escalation of job action by striking public service workers means all BC Liquor and BC Cannabis stores will be closed.

Restaurant owners across British Columbia say they’re on the verge of running out of liquor, as the full shutdown of government-run stores cuts off their supply.

They are urging the provincial government and the B.C. General Employees’ Union to come to an agreement as soon as possible.

“It’s getting critical,” said Mark von Schellwitz, vice-president for Western Canada at Restaurants Canada.

“Some of our members say they’re just days from having nothing left to serve. Without liquor on the menu, we’re not a viable operation.”

On Wednesday, the union closed every B.C. Liquor and B.C. Cannabis store in the province, after initially shutting only select locations.

It’s the latest move in a long labour dispute between the BCGEU and the provincial government, primarily over wages.

Private liquor stores remain open to consumers, but restaurants are legally required to buy their alcohol from government-operated channels,which are now fully shut down.

With no access to new wine or spirits, many operators are scrambling to stretch what little stock they have left.

Some have even started serving U.S. alcohol they had previously pulled from their menus in solidarity with Canada’s fight against tariffs.

“Even that product is now selling out, and there’s no way for them to restock,” said von Schellwitz.