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ARTICLE · 01 DECEMBER 2025

BC's New Commercial Liens Act: What Warehouse Operators Need To Know

Miller Thomson
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The repeal of the Warehouse Lien Act (the "WLA"), along with its replacement by the Commercial Liens Act (the "CLA"), has marked a significant shift for warehouse operators in British Columbia.

CanadaTransport
Arsham Gill
Arsham Gill
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The repeal of the Warehouse Lien Act (the "WLA"), along with its replacement by the Commercial Liens Act (the "CLA"), has marked a significant shift for warehouse operators in British Columbia. While the core concept of securing payment through a lien remains, the procedures around perfecting and enforcing those liens have changed in practical and important ways. These changes affect the enforceability of warehouse agreements, the protection of stored goods, and the operator's duty of care, making it essential for operators to revisit their contracts and enforcement practices.

From the WLA to the CLA: a consolidated framework

The WLA was a purpose-built statute, specifically focused on lien rights for warehouse operators. In contrast, the CLA consolidates several lien statues across various industries (including the WLA) into one framework. Under the new CLA, warehouse operators still have lien rights, but those rights now fall under a more standardized set of

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