Image courtesy of change.org

By Liam Verster

Online Petition

Petition launched to get B.C. craft spirits into liquor stores

Apr 23, 2025 | 12:19 PM

An online petition has been launched to encourage the province make changes to support B.C.’s craft distillers.

The Time to Get BC Craft Spirits in Government Liquor Stores petition, launched by Tyler Dyck, CEO of Okanagan Spirits, said 85 craft distillers in the province need their help getting 100 per cent B.C. craft spirits into liquor stores.

“Now more than ever, B.C. residents want to support local, but unfortunately, they can’t get their authentic, locally made spirits in B.C. government liquor stores,” the petition at Change.org said.

“That’s because the B.C. government does not give B.C. craft distilleries the same VQA reimbursement that they do for B.C. wineries, which allows wineries to keep a fair percentage of the bottle price in their pockets. This leaves British Columbians with the only choice of purchasing foreign owned (often US) and foreign manufactured spirits, where all the economic impact is realized in those foreign countries instead of here in B.C.z’

Dyck laid out the changes he wanted to see the government make to support the sector: give craft distillers the same VQA rerimbursement program granted to wineries, give craft distillers their own aisle in government liquor stores, and remove the 50,000 litre production cap for distillers along with the penalties associated with going over that limit.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

21h ago

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

22h ago

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

The petition, directed to B.C.’s Solicitor General, Garry Begg, was launched Monday, April 21. As of time of publication, nearly 1,100 people had signed.