B.C. Strike Hits Restaurants Hard as Cannabis Stores and Liquor Warehouses Shut Down
British Columbia’s hospitality sector is facing a major supply crisis as the BCGEU strike expands, forcing both government-run liquor outlets and cannabis stores to close their doors. After more than six weeks of escalating job action, over 25,000 frontline workers have joined the picket lines, disrupting supply chains that bars, restaurants, and retailers depend on.
The shutdown of government-operated cannabis stores has sent shockwaves through the province’s hospitality and retail industries. Many restaurant owners report struggling to find stock as both liquor and cannabis stores remain shuttered. The ongoing strike is the latest escalation in a months-long dispute over wages, inflation adjustments, and working conditions. Union leaders say the strike was necessary to pressure the government back to the bargaining table with a fair offer.
With liquor distribution halted and cannabis stores unable to process wholesale orders, restaurants and bars are now rationing supplies. Some business owners have resorted to sending staff across multiple cities in search of private retailers still carrying inventory. “We’re at a breaking point,” said one Vancouver restaurant operator.
Restaurants Canada has called on the province to temporarily allow hospitality businesses to purchase directly from private liquor and cannabis stores, a move that could alleviate some of the supply strain. However, current regulations prohibit restaurants from buying products outside the provincial system, even though private cannabis stores often have nearby stock available. Industry advocates argue that outdated policies are amplifying the crisis at the worst possible time for small businesses still recovering from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has maintained that it is focused solely on resolving the strike through negotiations. Officials have not indicated any plans to relax rules surrounding liquor or cannabis stores, leaving restaurant owners in limbo. Economists warn that extended closures could have ripple effects across multiple sectors, from tourism to agriculture, as suppliers and distributors also feel the impact.
As the stalemate continues, British Columbians are bracing for more disruptions. For local restaurants, bars, and private cannabis stores, the strike underscores the fragility of the province’s tightly controlled distribution system. Without a resolution soon, both hospitality and retail industries may face long-term consequences — and the empty shelves in cannabis stores could become a lasting symbol of a broken supply chain.
