Monday March 10, 2025 | VICTORIA, Bc
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Restaurants and other food-service establishments will need to adapt to the current BC government directives about US-source liquor products.
Today BC Premier David Eby announced:
- All US-made liquor is being pulled from BC Liquor Store shelves; and
- No more US-made liquor products will be imported into British Columbia.
This is in response to ongoing tariff and annexation threats originating with US President Donald Trump.
BCFRA weighs in:
BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association President & CEO Ian Tostenson issued a quick update to BCFRA members this afternoon, with an explanation of what is going on politically and what needs to be done by liquor-handling establishments.
Liquor Distribution Branch stock:
As things stand today, the Liquor Distribution Branch still has US-made alcohol products in stock.
- Licensees will be allowed to order US-made alcohol products wholesale in case lots until the LDB’s inventory is fully depleted.
- Once depleted, the LDB will not reorder any of these products.
- US-made products can still be sold in restaurants, pubs and other establishments for as long as they have supply on hand.
American products assembled in Canada:
American-owned brands that bottle or can their products in Canada are not impacted by this announcement.
Adjust menu offerings:
In the short term, BCFRA is recommending that liquor-serving establishments proactively adjust their menu offerings to avoid product shortages.
Showcase BC products:
“While we understand that this decision will cause some operational challenges in the near term, we encourage all of our members to use this moment as an opportunity to showcase some of the world-leading liquor products that British Columbia has to offer,” says Tostenson.
“BCRFA is proudly on Team Canada and there is no better time to stand with our local brewers, vintners, and distillers than right now,” says Tostenson.
For support or with questions, restaurants may contact BCRFA by email membership@bcrfa.com or call 604-669-2239.
===== RELATED:
- Tariff war escalation: all US liquor products now off BC shelves (March 10, 2025)
- BC halts importation of US-made liquor products (March 6, 2025)
- Twenty-nine BC crown corporations must prioritize Canadian goods & services (February 3, 2025)
- American liquor still on many BC retail shelves (February 2, 2025)
- Eby appoints BC cabinet committee on economy & tariffs (January 29, 2025)
- News Sections: CANADA-USA | BC 43rd PARLIAMENT | TARIFFS & TRADE