Weekly Liquor Industry Update: February 17, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here's what you'll find inside today's update:
COVID-19 Restrictions Eased this Week!
B.C.’s Economic Plan: Building an Economy That Works for Everyone
Temporary Expansion to Eligibility for the Local Lockdown Program
Reminder: TESA’s Expiring Soon, Apply for a Permanent Patio NOW
Paid Sick Leave Survey Summary & FAQ
Free Member Q&A Webinar in Partnership with New Associate Member Perk Hero
BCHF Scholarship Applications Now Open!
Federal Excise Duty Rate Change
Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
ABLE BC in the News
Find all past updates here.
COVID-19 Restrictions Eased this Week!
Earlier this week we shared some exciting news! Tuesday afternoon, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that BC is easing most COVID-19 restrictions. As of February 16 at 11:59 pm most Public Health Orders restricting pubs, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will be lifted, allowing liquor-only establishments to reopen at full capacity.
All bars, pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs will be able to operate at full capacity, with no table limits, and allowing mingling and dancing.
Restrictions remaining in effect:
Masks are still required in all indoor public spaces
BC vaccine cards (to show proof of two doses) are still required until June 30, 2022
COVID-19 safety plans are still required
This marks a historic moment in our battle against COVID-19. Both Premier Horgan and Dr. Henry noted that removing these restrictions is a direct result of BC’s high vaccination rate, rigorous use of masks, and adherence to public health protocols. It is also due to the hard work, sacrifices, and resilience of BC’s citizens and businesses like yours.
We know many of you were hoping to see the end of all COVID-related restrictions. We know many of your customers will remain frustrated by having to wear a mask when not seated and to show a vaccine card before entering your premises. These restrictions will be reviewed in mid-March and again in mid-April while immunization campaigns will continue. Rest assured we will be pressing for the removal of these restrictions as soon as practical.
Perhaps most encouraging of all, Dr. Henry claimed: “I don’t believe we’ll have to go back to broad societal measures unless something drastic happens.”
As we look forward to the final restrictions easing over the next few months, our industry can—finally—plan for our future and begin the hard work of recovering from the financial losses of this pandemic.
Click here to read the updated Public Health Order.
HELPFUL LINKS
ABLE BC Resources
Visit our COVID-19 Resources page for Liquor Primary COVID Best Practices, template signage, recent policy changes, and more.
Public Health Orders
Visit this page to download all current regional and provincial public health orders.
BC's Restart Plan
Visit the BC Government website for more information on the four-step
Restart Plan.
go2HR Resources
Visit the go2HR website for COVID-19 FAQ for Employers, HR information and updates, and more.
B.C.'s Economic Plan: Building an Economy That Works for Everyone
This afternoon, B.C.’s government launched a new long-awaited long-term economic plan, B.C.’s Economic Plan: A plan for today, a vision for tomorrow.
The plan sets out to fill one million jobs over the next 10 years by investing in skills training, building resilient communities, and positioning B.C. as a world leader in a low-carbon economy.
“Our government understands that people are the economy and that growing the economy cannot mean leaving people behind,” said Premier John Horgan. “Today, B.C. is a national economic leader, and our StrongerBC plan provides a framework to create a low-carbon economy that works for everyone. An economy built for all is an economy built to succeed.”
While the plan is short on details, it talks generally about increased support for small businesses and building a thriving tourism industry—which is good news for our hospitality and liquor retail industries. Attracting more visitors to B.C. will mean more customers at pubs, bars, and liquor stores, as well as hotels.
In the coming weeks, we expect to learn more details about funding and specific projects to support your businesses. Rest assured we will be pressing government directly for the support and programs you need to help get back on your feet.
You can read government’s announcement here and read details of the plan here.
Temporary Expansion to Eligibility for the Local Lockdown Program
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has temporarily expanded eligibility for the Local Lockdown Program. The temporary changes are applicable for the claim periods 24 and 25 (December 19, 2021 to February 12, 2022).
Applications can be made through the CRAs My Business Account or through Represent a Client for business representatives.
Click here for more details.
Reminder: TESA’s Expiring Soon, Apply for a Permanent Patio NOW
If you are planning to install a patio this summer, you need to take urgent action now. TESA applications from last year are expiring soon and do not provide approval for patios this coming summer.
On June 15, 2021, the LCRB extended the deadline for currently approved Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESAs) to expire on June 1, 2022.
This means that if you have not made the service area under your TESA permanent by applying for a permanent structural change (e.g., applying for a patio), your TESA will expire on June 1, 2022 and you will not be able to sell or serve liquor in the expanded space.
It’s very important to note that it can take up to 10 months to get your application approved. Licensees who have not yet applied are now at risk of their TESA expiring before they can get approval for a new outdoor patio or structural change.
You can find more information on how to apply via the LCRB’s website.
Please note, not all TESA authorizations will be viable permanent patios. Before you apply and pay the fee, it is your responsibility to work with your local government and authorities to make sure the TESA you want to make permanent complies with all local permits, guidelines, bylaws and requirements.
To apply you will need:
An updated floor plan that clearly shows the structural change
These plans generally require an occupancy load
If you are a Liquor Primary or Manufacturer licensee, your structural change application will be sent to your local government for their comments.
To apply as a Liquor Primary or Food Primary licensee:
Log in to the liquor and cannabis licensing portal with a BCeID
Go to the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard and find the licence you want to change.
Select:
"New Outdoor Patio" for an outdoor TESA or
"Structural Change Application" for an indoor TESA
Complete the application.
You can find more information here.
If you have questions about your expiring TESA or applying for a permanent structural change, we encourage you to contact a liquor licensing consultant. Check out the ABLE BC Buyer’s Guide for recommended consultants.
Paid Sick Leave Survey Summary & FAQ
Thank you to everyone who filled out our survey on mandatory paid sick leave. Hearing directly from our members about how this new entitlement has impacted your business helps us to better advocate on your behalf.
We would like to share some highlights from the survey here, and will be presenting a full summary of results at the free member Q&A webinar later this month on Wednesday, February 23 at 10:00 am.
Key survey highlights:
70% of participants reported a decrease in revenue for January 2022 compared to pre-pandemic January revenue
71% of participants are short staffed, regardless of sick leave
55% of participants have altered business hours & 45% have altered business models due to staff shortages
In January 2022:
36% of participants reported between 0-10% of their workforce took paid sick leave
23% of participants reported between 11-20% of their workforce took paid sick leave
66% of participants reported that sick leave accounted for 0-10% of payroll in January 2022
Click here to read our Paid Sick Leave FAQ.
If you have any questions not addressed in this FAQ, please reach out to ann@ablebc.ca.
Free Member Q&A Webinar in Partnership with New Associate Member Perk Hero
Time: Wednesday, February 23 at 10:00 am
Zoom Link: Here
During this free webinar, ABLE BC's Executive Director Jeff Guignard will discuss:
What the recent easing of COVID restrictions means for your business
Paid sick leave questions
A Labour Recovery Framework
What ABLE BC is doing in the immediate future to support your businesses during COVID-19
Progress update on other policy priorities
And more!
We will also be hearing from Justin Strange, of Perk Hero, on a new technology solution designed to help your businesses navigate the labour shortage.
Perk Hero's Digital Dine-In technology will help you beat the labour shortage. Bars, pubs, and restaurants across the country have been having trouble hiring front of house staff. Don't let a labour shortage hold your business back. Serve more guests and improve your profitability with Digital Dine-In.
ABLE BC members get 50% off for the first year
Contact Perk Hero at 855-661-3722 or sales@perkhero.com.
Click below to register, or reach out to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication at ann@ablebc.ca.
BCHF Scholarship Applications Open Now!
The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for the scholarships it administers. The deadline for most scholarship submissions is March 31, 2022.
In 2022, the BCHF scholarship program will be the largest ever, at over $65,000, and there are new scholarships dedicated exclusively to supporting members of underrepresented groups such as First Nations and members of the LGBT2Q+ community. All applicants must be committed to working in British Columbia for at least the next two years.
Click here for more information.
Federal Excise Duty Rate Change
The federal government announced yesterday the excise duty rate change that will take effect on April 1, 2022.
The Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) has shared this memo with more details on the new excise rates.
Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan
The BC Government has announced that the tourism sector will receive more than $9.3 million in grants over the next two years as part of the Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan.
An additional $1.3 million will help fund dedicated human resources specialists in five tourism regions for two years. In partnership with go2HR, these specialists will provide expert advice to tourism operators in each region.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
Registration is now open for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, taking place in-person at the Richmond Conference Centre from March 9-11, 2022.
Please note, tickets will be sold separately for the following conference events, though you must have a conference ticket to attend the gala:
Rev Up! Hotel Pre-Conference Track: Taking place March 9 from 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Rev Up! tickets offer exclusive access to content tailored specifically for accommodators, with engaging presentations and panels from industry experts and leaders across Canada’s accommodation community.
Conference Tickets: Early bird rates are available until 11:59 pm on February 1, 2022 with member and non-member pricing options. Tickets include complete access to all three days of conference sessions, workshops, marketplace, and silent auction.
Awards Gala: Reserve your spot for a celebratory evening that will recognize our province’s most exceptional products, services, experiences, and people, taking place the evening of Thursday, March 10, 2022.
ABLE BC in the News
In case you missed it, ABLE BCs Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, has been in the news recently.
Daily Hive: “Is this necessary?” Calls grow to end BC’s vaccine passport system
Global News Morning: Restrictions lifted for BC bars and nightclubs
Global News, Mornings with Simi: British Columbia health officials have announced B.C. will be dropping restrictions for indoor and outdoor gatherings while keeping the B.C. vaccine card in place
CFAX 1070, Mornings with Al Ferraby: Dancing and mingling returns as bars/nightclubs reopen
Global News Hour: BC announces changes to restrictions
CTV News: COVID restrictions being lifted
City News: B.C.'s relaxed COVID-19 restrictions bring businesses glimmer of hope
And some ABLE BC members have been in the news this week.
The Roxy and Fox Cabaret featured on Global News: Nightclubs, bars prepare for busy weeks ahead
Red Card, Bar None, and The Roxy featured on CTV News: 'The roaring 2020s': Many COVID-19 restrictions lift in B.C., but vaccine passport remains