Liquor Industry Update: December 16, 2021

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

Here's what you'll find inside today's update:

  • Updated public order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises

  • Reminder for Liquor and Food Primaries: selling liquor with takeaway and delivery meals

  • LDB Update on Ongoing Transportation Disruptions

  • Five Days of Annual Paid Sick Leave Coming to BC Workplaces

  • Call for Nominations for ABLE BC Board of Directors

  • City of Vancouver Ban on Plastic Bags: Starts January 1, 2022

  • Free Info Session on Canada Summer Jobs Funding: January 12

  • Provincial state of emergency extended

  • Labatt Breweries Disaster Relief Activation

  • Federal Government Fall Economic Statement

  • Order Now: 2022 Drivers License ID Checking Guides

  • 'New School' Collab Craft Beer Kegs for Sale

  • BC Hospitality Foundation 50/50 Lottery

  • Extension of Policy Directive: temporary authority for BC liquor manufacturers to direct deliver

  • BC Increased Employment Incentive: Applications Close December 31, 2021

Find all past COVID-19 updates here.

Updated public order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises

On December 12, the Provincial Health Officer released an updated public order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises: download here.

The order was revised to address the conversion of table service restaurants to counter service. This is in response to some premises wanting to or having already converted their operations from table service to counter service and dropping the selling of liquor for premise consumption so they do not have to require proof of vaccination.

The main changes in this public order are to establish the rules for restaurants that want to make this conversion. To do so, the order defines table service by listing all the characteristics that comprise table service. If a place does any of the things listed in the definition, they are considered a table service restaurant and have to check for proof of vaccination.

Please read the order for more information.

As a reminder, the following provincial public health orders are currently in place:

The following regional public health orders are currently in place:

Additional resources on BC Vaccine Card:

Reminder for Liquor and Food Primaries: selling liquor with takeaway and delivery meals

As you know, earlier this year, the provincial government permanently authorized liquor and food primaries to sell packaged liquor of all types for off-site consumption with a meal for takeout or delivery.

In July, government announced liquor and food primaries could also package and sell single-serving, pre-mixed drinks with a meal for takeout or delivery.

In October, the policy was further expanded to permit licensees to package and sell unmixed drinks for takeout or delivery, such as a glass of wine, cider, draft beer, or an unmixed ounce of spirit, with a meal.

For more information on the policy please refer to the Terms and Conditions Handbooks and the following policy directives:

This policy change was intended to provide long-term financial support to the hospitality industry and aid industry recovery from the pandemic. We know many of you use and fully comply with the policy.

Unfortunately, we have heard increasing reports of some licensees not abiding by the conditions of these directives. It is imperative that all licensees stop these non-compliant activities immediately.

To be clear: if you are selling liquor with takeout or delivery, it must be sold with a meal. (Note: this is separate from and does not apply to licensees with an actual off-sales endorsement on their license.)

While a meal has not been clearly defined by government, we ask that licensees use their common sense and judgment when it comes to defining a meal. For instance, a bag of chips or chocolate bar clearly does not meet the intention of the permission.

Government has expressed concern that some establishments are not following the rules and is calling on all licensees to voluntary comply with these policies. If industry fails to comply, government may introduce more stringent measures or remove the permissions altogether.

Licensees should also not be setting up self-serve, retail-looking spaces in their establishments. Compliance & Enforcement Inspectors are reporting that some Food and Liquor Primary licensees are setting up retail spaces where liquor is displayed in open refrigerated floor cabinets or open shelves accessible to patrons for self-service, which is contrary to the purpose of the license and inconsistent with the intention of the provision.

Food and Liquor Primaries who are offering liquor for takeaway with a meal must ensure the sale and service is consistent with how that liquor would be sold or served in the normal course of business - the liquor is kept under the care and control of the licensee or staff and is not accessible to patrons.

As we have previously noted, government will not allow this policy to unintentionally create over 8000 new liquor retailers. Liquor primaries and food primaries are prohibited from acting like, or promoting themselves, as liquor retailers. Government also recently extended the moratorium on new LRS licenses until 2032.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

LDB Update on Ongoing Transportation Disruptions

LDB Wholesale provided the following update on December 14, 2021 about ongoing transportation disruptions:

The busy holiday season is upon us, and we recognize the impact that ongoing transportation disruptions are having on customers throughout this period.

Our distribution centre teams are continuing to diligently ship the Delta Distribution Centre (DDC) order portions, including non-stocked wholesale products and bottle picks to customers serviced by Kamloops Distribution Centre (KDC). However, ongoing transportation disruptions, limited availability of carrier equipment, and weather-related road conditions, such as snow, may continue to result in delivery delays for customers. We currently expect delays of up to two weeks from the scheduled time of delivery for products sourced from the LDB’s DDC.

We are continuing to do everything we can to mitigate the impacts of these challenges on our customers and continue to work with our vendors and freight carriers to ensure shipments are delivered as quickly as possible.

The LDB is unable to provide status updates on the estimated time of delivery of orders as the delays are occurring during transport. We are reminding customers that they should continue to contact the Wholesale Customer Centre (WCC) via email at wholesalehelp@bcldb.com or by phone at 1-888-775-0681 with any questions about their orders and are asking them not to contact the LDB’s distribution centres directly.

Download this memo for more information.

Five Days of Annual Paid Sick Leave Coming to BC Workplaces

The British Columbia Government will institute a new, permanent paid sick leave entitlement, effective January 1, 2022.

Ryan Anderson and Eric Kroshus (Mathews Dinsdale) have provided us with the following article, answering employer questions about paid sick leave.

Read more.

We expect further details concerning the new entitlement will be released before the January 1, 2022 implementation, so employers should be mindful of further developments related to this issue. ABLE BC will also continue to update you.

Call for Nominations for ABLE BC Board of Directors

Are you a liquor licensee member of ABLE BC interested in running for a position on ABLE BC's Board of Directors? Is there someone you would like to nominate?

ABLE BC is currently seeking nominations for two director positions. Positions are available in: one from Vancouver Island, and one from Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region. Directors serve two-year terms and help set strategic direction for ABLE BC.

Download a nomination form.

All completed nomination forms must be submitted to ABLE BC no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022. Fax to 604-688-8560 or email to Executive Director Jeff Guignard at jeff@ablebc.ca.

After the nomination period ends, election ballots will be circulated to all members in the appropriate region for voting (if necessary).

ABLE BC's Director Nominations is overseen by our Nominations Committee, comprised of:

  • Al Deacon (ABLE BC Director and Vice President)

  • Brady Beruschi (ABLE BC Director)

  • Vince Marino (ABLE BC Member)

To learn more about our Nominations process, please consult Bylaw 6 of ABLE BC's Constitution and Bylaws.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Guignard (Executive Director) at 604-688-5560 or jeff@ablebc.ca.

City of Vancouver Ban on Plastic Bags: Starts January 1, 2022

Effective January 1, 2022, there will be a ban on businesses in the City of Vancouver providing customers with plastic shopping bags, as well as a new requirement to charge a minimum of $0.15 cents for a single-use paper bag and a minimum of $1 for a reusable shopping bag.

As well, every single-use cup provided to a customer will carry a minimum $0.25 fee.

Businesses will be keeping the revenue from the new fees, but they are encouraged to invest in reusable alternatives and to help cover the cost of complying with the bylaws, specifically the annual report to the municipal government on the number of single-use items provided to customers as part of the business licence renewal.

ABLE BC will have signage available in our online store shortly for Vancouver businesses to share these changes with customers.

These new policies were originally scheduled to go into effect at the start of 2021, but they were delayed due to the impacts to local businesses from COVID-19.

Last year, the municipal government put in place new policies that limit single-use items for plastic straws, utensils, and styrofoam containers.

A growing number of municipalities in Metro Vancouver have also begun policy changes on single-use items, which also aligns with shifts in provincial and federal policies. This year, the provincial government also enacted policies that made it easier for municipal governments to enact policies on single-use items, without having to seek final approval from Victoria.

Earlier this fall, Richmond City Council passed similar bans and fees on single-use items, coming into effect within its jurisdiction in March 2022.

Surrey also became the first municipal jurisdiction in the region to ban plastic shopping bags, in addition to their ban on styrofoam containers. There is a new minimum charge of $0.25 per paper checkout bag and $2 per reusable checkout bag.

Free Info Session on Canada Summer Jobs Funding: January 12

Have you started thinking about your summer hiring needs? Canada Summer Jobs supports non-profits, small businesses, and public sector employers to provide quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30 years old.

Service Canada’s Canada Summer Jobs program is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy which aims to provide quality work experiences for youth to develop skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.

Talent MATCH has partnered with Service Canada to bring you this free info session featuring Line Noel and Melanie Greene, who will explain how the program works and how to apply.

Join us on January 12th at 1:00pm (Pacific) for this free info session. You must register for it here.

While employee candidates for the Canada Summer Jobs program don’t have to be students, students are a great option. For more information on hiring students, visit the Talent MATCH webpage or contact Project Manager Debby Reis at TalentMatch@acewilbc.ca.

Provincial state of emergency extended

With recovery efforts still underway in communities affected by severe flooding and highways damaged by flooding and mudslides, the Province is extending the provincial state of emergency.

Given the continued need for public safety measures under the Emergency Program Act and ongoing work to repair damaged highways, the provincial state of emergency is being extended until the end of the day on December 28, 2021.

The order restricting non-essential travel on highways 3 and 99 will remain in place. This includes:

  • Highway 3: from the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3

  • From the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet (vehicle weight must be no more than 14,500 kilograms)

The Province is allowing the order limiting non-essential fuel use to expire.

This temporary measure limited non-essential vehicles to 30 litres of fuel (gas and diesel) per trip to the gas station and has been in place since November 19, 2021. With the gradual re-opening of the Trans Mountain Pipeline coupled with shipments of fuel by truck and barge arriving in British Columbia, this order can expire at the end of the day on December 14, 2021.

Labatt Breweries Disaster Relief Activation

Our communities in British Columbia continue to be affected by the devastating floods and extreme weather.

Following their 35,000 can deliver in Merritt last week, the Labatt team and Team Rubicon Canada distributed 19,000 cans of clean drinking water to the town of Princeton to support the 4000+ residents in the community and surrounding areas. This marks Labatt's 16th Disaster Relief activation since 2013.

They continue to monitor the situation closely and will be ready to lend a hand in the best way we know how. Shoutout to Labatt's team in BC for their hard work and dedication.

Federal Government Fall Economic Statement

On December 14, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, delivered an economic and fiscal update, providing a current snapshot of federal finances and the government's spending plans for the coming months.

While the update mostly provided an optimistic outlook for Canada's COVID-19 recovery, a number of ongoing challenges and emerging concerns for the hospitality industry were discussed (as summarized by Restaurants Canada):

  • The federal government is putting aside the necessary funds for provinces' and territories' expenditures related to the implementation of their proof of vaccination programs, in order to advance a national proof of vaccination standard.

  • The federal government is proposing a Small Business Air Quality Improvement Tax Credit of 25% on eligible air quality improvement expenses to make it more affordable for small businesses to invest in safer and healthier ventilation and air filtration. Once in effect, businesses will receive the credit on eligible expenses incurred between September 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022 related to the purchase or upgrade of HVAC systems and the purchase of standalone devices to filter air using HEPA filters, up to a maximum of $10,000 per location and $50,000 in total.

  • The federal government is extending the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program to March 31, 2022. The program was set to expire on December 31, 2021.

  • To help strengthen supply chains and address bottlenecks, the federal government will launch a new, targeted call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund to assist Canadian ports with the acquisition of cargo storage capacity and other measures to relieve supply chain congestion. The fund will dedicate up to $50 million to support eligible priority projects. Further details on the targeted call for proposals will be announced in the coming weeks.

  • The federal government is proposing to allocate $85 million in 2022-23 toward processing more permanent resident and temporary resident applications and reducing immigration processing times for key areas of the economy affected by the pandemic.

  • In response to rising labour shortages, the federal government has reasserted its commitment to increase immigration levels and reduce backlogs to help alleviate pressure. They have also committed to bring forward a more targeted strategy to address labour shortages in the new year.

The update on December 14 also reinforced the federal government's plans to implement the following measures proposed in Bill C-2:

  • Extension of Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022 and an increase in the subsidy rate to 50%

  • Targeted continuation of emergency rent and wage support for businesses through three programs: Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, and Local Lockdown Program

More information on the measures proposed in Bill C-2 can be found in the federal government's official news release and backgrounder document.

Order Now: 2022 Drivers License ID Checking Guides

The NEW 2022 North American ID Checking Guide Book and 14th Edition International ID Checking Guide Book are now available to order through the ABLE BC office.

The North American Guide has been updated for 2022. The International Guide has not been updated since 2021 but is valid through 2022.

Place your order HERE by Friday, January 21, 2022.

The ID Checking Guide Books help you and your staff make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver's licenses and ID cards - your best protection against ID fraud. These books also help ensure you are kept updated on the latest versions of all ID formats.

For more information on the ID Checking Guide Books, including pricing please click here or download our FAQ.

'New School' Collab Craft Beer Kegs for Sale

Langley’s Dead Frog Brewery recently hosted a collaborative beer project that will help partially fund a scholarship for underrepresented students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University Brewing program. The scholarship, named after Alumni and Master Brewer, Nancy More, will be awarded in 2022 and administered by the BC Hospitality Foundation.

“New School” Dry-Hopped Märzen was crafted by KPU Brewing & Brewery Operations Diploma alumni. It’s a crisp copper lager with a rich malt base and a fresh burst of citrus from Mandarina Bavaria hops that’s available in cans and kegs.

Please support this initiative by ordering via sales@deadfrog.ca or

604-856-1055:

  • $229.15 for a 58l keg – CSPC 760934

  • Also available in cans - $10.45 for 6 x 355ml - CSPC 419620

BC Hospitality Foundation 50/50 Lottery

Please support our BC hospitality and tourism community by purchasing tickets to a Holiday 50/50 Lottery benefitting the BC Hospitality Foundation. This licensed lottery is being promoted only in our local hospitality and tourism community, so someone in or related to our industry will be the big winner!

Tickers are available at www.bchospitality5050.ca from December 8 to January 3 and make great gifts for coworkers and employees!

They're available in the following packages:

  • 150 tickets for $40

  • 20 tickets for $20

  • 5 tickets for $10

Funds raised by the lottery will be used to support individuals in the hospitality and tourism industry who are facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member.

Extension of Policy Directive: temporary authority for BC liquor manufacturers to direct deliver

On December 3, 2021, the LCRB released Policy Directive 21-24: Extension of temporary authority for BC liquor manufacturers to direct deliver liquor to retail customers from registered off-site storage locations.

BC manufacturers have been temporarily authorized to deliver liquor to retail customers direct from their registered off-site storage locations. The policy was originally set to expire on December 31. It has been extended to March 31, 2022.

For more information, please click here.

BC Increased Employment Incentive: Applications Close December 31, 2021

Please be advised that applications for the BC Increased Employment Incentive must be received by December 31, 2021.

The BC Increased Employment Incentive is a one-time refundable tax credit for employers which encouraged the creation of new jobs for BC workers or increases in payroll for existing low or middle-income employees in the last quarter ending December 31, 2020.

The tax credit is calculated at 15% of the amount that the employer’s eligible remuneration for the last quarter ending December 31, 2020 exceeds the employer’s eligible remuneration for the quarter ending September 30, 2020.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and access to the application, visit gov.bc.ca/employertaxcredit

Ann Brydle