April 30, 2012 Ministry of Energy and Mines

Modernizing B.C.'s liquor distribution system

VICTORIA - The Province has approached the private sector with the opportunity to provide a more modernized and cost-effective way to warehouse and distribute liquor in British Columbia.

A Negotiated Request for Proposal has been issued to the private sector for the delivery of services related to liquor warehousing and distribution.

Currently, liquor is distributed throughout B.C. by both public and private services. The two government-owned warehouses distribute approximately 43 per cent of the liquor volume in the province.

The Liquor Distribution Branch is responsible for the distribution, wholesaling and retailing of alcohol in B.C. and operates 195 government liquor stores and two warehouses. The two warehouses are not part of this process and will be handled separately as a real estate transaction. Government-operated liquor stores will not be affected by this Negotiated Request for Proposal.

The two warehouses employ about 500 British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) staff between them. Recently, the provincial government and the BCGEU reached an agreement on a package of measures to accommodate these employees.

The Negotiated Request for Proposal document can be viewed online at BC Bid:

http://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/open.dll/submitLogin?disID=21829215

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617