B.C. restaurant industry on board with ban on U.S. alcohol

There’s a lot of reaction pouring in now that the provincial government has ordered all United States alcohol to be taken off store shelves.

It includes wine, distilled products, and beer. This move expands on one announced by Premier David Eby last week, when he confirmed booze from red states would no longer be sold here.

Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA), says the association likes the move.

“We are at our patience’s end here with respect to what’s going on in the White House,” Tostenson told 1130 NewsRadio. “I think by and large, the industry feels this was an appropriate action.”

He warns it won’t be easy to get rid of all the American products.

“It’s not easy to transition, but I’ve had nothing but solidarity from all the restaurants that I’ve spoken to saying this is the right move to do,” he added.

Tostenson says that despite the support, consumers shouldn’t expect bottles to be removed from restaurants overnight.

“They’ve paid for these products. The government has taken them off the retail shelf, but they are still available in wholesale until the government inventory runs out. So, some of the products will sell through to recover the costs of their inventory,” he explained.

“I think if they get some comments from some of our guests, then perhaps that’ll change. But I think we have to recognize that these small businesses have put the money out … but it won’t take long. We’re not talking months, I think you’re talking less than a week’s supply.”

He adds it will also take some time to transition to non-American products, and he’s asking for a grace period.

“They have to think about the style of wine, the price points, and so on and so forth. We’ll do a deep dive into what’s available within British Columbia, but that’s going to take a little bit of time,” he said. “From there, all of the menus will have to be re-printed, and the training has to happen, so there’s a fair amount of prep to do this, but … I think everyone is quite prepared to endure the pain of this to get to a better place for all of British Columbia.”

B.C.’s wine producers say they also support the province’s decision.

Wine Growers BC chair Paul Sawler says the local industry is still recovering from the cold snap in January 2024 that devastated vineyards across the province. He adds that the banning of American products is vital for local producers to regain lost market share.

However, private liquor stores, bars, and pubs say the expanded ban will pose a challenge.

The Alliance of Beverage Licensees says there are often no easy substitutes for U.S. liquor. Executive director Jeff Guignard says it also means consumers may have to pay more for alternatives, where and when they’re available — from Canadian craft distillers.

The alliance adds that some customers have rushed to stores to stock up on their favourite U.S. brands, while others have explicitly started shunning items in favour of Canadian products.

With files from Anthony Atanasov and The Canadian Press.