In a dramatic turn of events, Vancouver’s city council has approved a 0% property tax increase for the coming year, a move Mayor Ken Sim says will bring “predictability and stability” to residents and businesses. While homeowners are relieved, critics argue that the tax freeze could lead to service cuts and job losses across the city. As debates rage at city hall, another major development is shaking up British Columbia — the complete shutdown of all government-run liquor and cannabis stores due to an ongoing BCGEU strike.
The strike has put significant pressure on the province’s hospitality and retail industries. Every liquor and cannabis store operated by the government is now behind picket lines, leaving consumers scrambling for alternatives. Private liquor and cannabis stores remain open for now, but many are warning that supplies are running dangerously low. Restaurants, bars, and event venues across Metro Vancouver are also feeling the pinch.
This liquor and cannabis store shutdown comes at a critical time for local businesses already grappling with inflation and staffing shortages. The BCGEU, representing thousands of public-sector workers, says it had no choice after six weeks of limited progress at the bargaining table. Meanwhile, the government maintains that its offer keeps workers’ wages in line with inflation. With both sides digging in, the closure of every government liquor and cannabis store could stretch on and the economic fallout could be severe.
For consumers, the hunt for liquor and cannabis stores that still have stock is on. Many private retailers are reporting record sales, but with no access to government distribution warehouses, their inventory won’t last long. The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association warns that without liquor shipments, the industry faces a “viability crisis.” Independent cannabis store owners are also expressing frustration, saying the disruption exposes the fragility of the province’s tightly controlled distribution system.
Experts note that the timing of both the tax freeze and the liquor and cannabis store strike could have political implications. With a municipal election just a year away, some see Mayor Sim’s zero-tax move as a populist gesture to win favor with business owners struggling to survive in a high-cost economy. The ongoing strike, meanwhile, highlights the tension between government control and private enterprise particularly in sectors like liquor and cannabis, where access, pricing, and regulation remain hotly debated.
As Vancouver navigates its financial and labour challenges, residents are left wondering whether the city’s promise of “stability” can hold. Between frozen taxes, shuttered liquor and cannabis stores, and rising economic anxiety, one thing is clear the year ahead will test the resilience of both local businesses and the people who depend on them.
