B.C. liquor price change made permanent

Changes to allow restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences to purchase beer, wine and spirits at the wholesale price have been made permanent by the B.C. government.

Public safety minister Mike Farnworth says the change will give the businesses certainty and help them recover, and help the estimated 190,000 British Columbians who work in the sector.

Temporary changes to allow for wholesale pricing for the hospitality industry were implemented June 2020 and were set to expire March 31, 2021. Before that, hospitality licensees – including restaurants, pubs and tourism operators with liquor licences – paid full retail price (wholesale price, plus a retail markup set by the Liquor Distribution Branch) on most liquor purchases.

The wholesale price is the same cost paid by government and private liquor stores in the province when they purchase stock for retail sale.

“This is welcome news, as access to wholesale pricing on a permanent basis will help alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by industry due to the pandemic,” said Trevor Kallies, director of beverage, Donnelly Group. “Business owners can now move forward with a focus on other areas, such as the health and safety of staff and customers, and keeping our businesses alive.”

Other changes that are still temporary at this point include extending the operating hours of retail liquor stores to promote physical distancing and accommodate vulnerable populations, and permitting all food-primary and liquor-primary licensees to deliver sealed, packaged liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal.