The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch is part of the government of British Columbia, within the Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. It is responsible for issuing liquor licenses in the province and for enforcing the provisions of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.
British Columbia's government also has a separate Liquor Distribution Branch, which is responsible for operating the province's monopoly on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch is one of the world's largest importers, distributors and retailers of wines, beer and spirits. All wine, spirits, and beer are distributed to a network of government-run and privately owned liquor stores as well as restaurants, bars and pubs.