Changes made to help the B.C. food and beverage industry with alcohol purchases—including beer, wine, and spirits—during the pandemic have been made permanent to help the sector recover from the financial challenges it has been facing.

The B.C. government had temporarily allowed for the hospitality sector—including eateries, pubs, and tourism operators with liquor licenses—to purchase liquor at wholesale prices set by the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) in June 2020, instead of the full retail price (which includes a retail markup set by the BCLDB).

These prices are the same as what government and private liquor stores pay when purchasing stock.

This measure was scheduled to expire on March 31 of this year.

B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth stated in a news release that this permanent change will assist businesses recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic.

This change was implemented as a recommendation made by the provincial government’s consultation with the Business Technical Advisory Panel.

Other previous temporary changes include extending retail liquor store operating hours to enable physical distancing and accommodate vulnerable populations, and permitting food and liquor licensees to deliver liquor products with meal purchases.

Restaurants Canada vice-president of Western Canada Mark von Schellwitz thanked B.C. for this “levelling of the playing field between the province’s retail and hospitality sectors” as it will “help British Columbia's hard hit restaurant sector transition from survival to revival”.