British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB)

In British Columbia, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), under the authority of the Liquor Distribution Act, has the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol, both in and out of the province. It is responsible for the importation, distribution, wholesaling and retailing of beverage alcohol, and operates government liquor stores and distribution centres in the province. Another branch within the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB), enforces the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. The LCLB is responsible for the licensing, monitoring and enforcement of the Act and regulations related to private liquor stores, restaurants, pubs and manufacturers.

The LDB operates a province-wide beverage alcohol retail and wholesale business within a mixed public-private model. It operates 199 government liquor stores, two distribution centres, in Vancouver and Kamloops; and a head office facility in Vancouver. B.C.’s beverage alcohol retail model includes government liquor stores, licensee retail stores, rural agency stores, British Columbia manufacturer stores, independent wine stores and duty-free stores. With more than 1,300 liquor retail outlets operating in B.C., consumers have a variety of choices depending on their service needs.

As of March 31, 2008, private-sector retail establishments in B.C. included 654 LRSs (private liquor stores licensed to sell all liquor products); 228 RASs (general merchandise stores in rural communities authorized to sell all liquor products); 166 on-site manufacturer stores (stores at wineries, breweries and distilleries that sell products manufactured on-site); 35 off-site manufacturer stores (stores operated by the B.C. wine industry that sell B.C. winery products); 12 independent wine stores (private wine stores authorized to sell all types of wine); and 11 duty-free stores.

Visit their web site: www.bcliquorstores.com