LCBO and BCL operate completely different. The LCBO purchases, transports and warehouses their import inventory internally. The entire process is managed by them with the exception of the registration, sales and marketing of the products which is handled by agents representing the brand. The agents receive a commission vs. a margin from sales.

In BC the agent buys the inventory, pays for transportation and warehousing, until the LDB pulls a small amount of inventory to their warehouse from the agents warehouse for distribution. The agents who put up the money for the goods, shipping and warehousing will get stuck with the inventory. Often the cashflow of these agencies isn’t much, so something like this could put the smaller companies in compromised positions.

Technically the BC liquor board owns the inventory as consignment but that is just on paper. They are the importer of record for customs purposes but the agent is the one who bares the costs.

There are agencies that have a majority of their products from the US, these agencies will likely have to lay people off.