COVID-19 Update: July 15, 2021

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • Liquor retail stores can sell to Special Event Permits

  • Complete our survey: Hospitality Industry Outlook

  • New signage available: masks recommended indoors

  • Reminder: Food and Liquor Primaries can sell cocktails to-go

  • Reminder: Liquor store hours permanently extended

  • Applications open: Canada Recovery Hiring Program

  • Federal government announces new Tourism Relief Fund

  • Ongoing relief programs

  • BC Hospitality Foundation: Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on sale now

  • Thinking about fall hiring? Student Work Placement Program

  • Upcoming BCHA Webinars

  • Where does your business need help during pandemic recovery? Take the COVID-19 ‘Pulse Check’ Survey

Find all past updates from ABLE BC here.

As always, if you have any additional questions or need to reach us you can email: 
jeff@ablebc.ca or danielle@ablebc.ca.

Liquor retail stores can sell to Special Event Permits

On July 13, the provincial government announced a significant liquor policy change: for the first time in our industry’s history, private liquor retailers can sell to Special Event Permit holders.

Read the government news release here.

With this change, the following licensees can sell liquor products to SEP holders:

  • BC Liquor Stores

  • Licensee Retail Stores

  • BC wineries with an onsite store

  • BC breweries with an onsite store

  • BC distilleries with an onsite store

  • Wine Stores (excluding Sacramental Wine Stores)

  • Special Wine Stores

  • Rural Licensee Retail Stores

Important note for Rural Licensee Retail Stores: an RLRS no longer requires general manager approval to sell product to SEP holders.

The inclusion of Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores (excluding Sacramental Wine Stores), Specialty Wine Stores and Rural Licensee Retail Stores will provide additional support to liquor retailers and provide SEP holders with more choice in liquor selection and where they can purchase their liquor.

This change not only introduces a new revenue stream for private liquor retailers, it also corrects the previous unfair policy of forcing consumers to purchase only from government’s BC Liquor Stores.

For more information, please read the government news release and Policy Directive 21-15.

Positive change through partnership

Although industry has been seeking this change for years, today’s announcement comes as a direct result of of ongoing advocacy efforts by ABLE BC and the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP).

ABLE BC has been proud to work alongside the other members of BTAP, which was been advising government on liquor policy reforms since 2018 and throughout this COVID crisis.

More policy work underway

In addition to this policy change, work is underway by government on several other measures identified within BTAP’s report. We will share more information with you as it becomes available.

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

Complete our survey: Hospitality Industry Outlook

Every quarter, ABLE BC is releasing an Industry Outlook survey to better understand how your hospitality businesses are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Take the survey. Note: a separate survey for private liquor retailers will be released shortly.

Tell us what your business needs to survive and thrive this summer. The information you provide will support our ongoing engagement with all levels of government.

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

Note: individual results and any business information shared will be kept confidential. Results will be presented as aggregate data.

New signage available: masks recommended indoors

New signage is available in ABLE BC’s online store indicating that masks are recommended for people over the age of 12 and not yet fully vaccinated:

View all COVD-19 signage here. If you have a signage request, please email: danielle@ablebc.ca.

Reminder: Food and Liquor Primaries can sell cocktails to-go

Last week, the provincial government announced food primaries and liquor primaries can now package and sell single-serving, pre-mixed drinks for takeout with the purchase of a meal. The move builds on a change that permanently authorized these licensees to sell and deliver packaged liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption.

The change, which responds to industry feedback from the Business Technical Advisory Panel, will provide an extra revenue stream for the licensees and give consumers more options. Ontario and Alberta have permitted cocktails-to-go since December 2020 and have not noted any public safety issues.

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will be consulting with industry shortly on whether to expand the authorization to include single servings of beverages that are not mixed, such as neat spirits, wine, draught beer and other beverages available on tap.

Pre-mixed single servings for takeout will need to be packaged in a way that can be transported lawfully. A label must state the type and amount of alcohol the drink contains and list all other ingredients.

For specifics regarding non-liquor ingredients, packaging requirements, and the hours in which sale and delivery of liquor for off-site consumption are permitted, see the terms and conditions handbook for your licence type.

Only adults who have completed Serving It Right training will be allowed to deliver cocktails with food. The recipient will need to be prepared to present two pieces of identification proving they are of legal drinking age.

These specifications are in response to industry concerns. They will help ensure Liquor and Food Primaries stay focused on their traditional role of selling individual beverages, instead of being encouraged to sell full bottles of spirits.

For more information:

Reminder: Liquor store hours permanently extended

Liquor retailers authorized to open earlier for the safety and convenience of their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic now have the option to maintain their expanded morning hours.

In April 2020, government temporarily authorized liquor retailers, such as wine stores and private liquor stores, to open as early as 7 am, to facilitate physical distancing for seniors and those who are immunocompromised.

This temporary authorization was originally set to expire on June 30, 2021. However, in response to industry feedback and to ensure businesses can continue to support their customers – particularly seniors and those who live in rural areas, who have benefited from the convenience of extended retail hours – the Province is permanently allowing liquor retailers throughout BC to operate between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm daily, if they choose to do so.

This permanent change relates to in-store shopping only. Liquor delivery may occur only after 9:00 am and the authorization for unlicensed third-party delivery services to deliver liquor at 7:00 am expires on June 30, 2021.

These changes do not override any additional requirements or limitations placed on hours of liquor service by local governments or First Nations.

For more information, please read Policy Directive 21-13.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Applications open: Canada Recovery Hiring Program

Applications are now open for the Canada Recovery Hiring Program.As a Canadian employer who continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for one of the two subsidies to cover part of your employee wages.

The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) support wages you pay through different phases of your economic recovery. Each claim period, eligible employers can claim either CRHP or CEWS, whichever is higher.

Next deadline for CHRP: December 30, 2021 (last day to apply for claim period 17).

Next period opens for CHRP: August 1, 2021 (first day you can apply for claim period 18).

For more information:

Federal government announces new Tourism Relief Fund

Earlier this week, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and the Minister responsible for tourism, announced details of the $500 million Tourism Relief Fund, first tabled in the 2021 Federal Budget, which will be rolled out over two years.

The Tourism Relief Fund aims to support tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements, while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.

What funding is available:

Contributions to for-profit businesses will be either:

  • non-repayable project contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs; or

  • fully repayable project contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs

Contributions to not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous entities:

  • project contribution amounts will normally be non-repayable and would not normally exceed $500,000

Who can apply?

Applicants must fall under one of the following parameters to be eligible for funding:

  • A key supplier or operator in the visitor experience

  • Part of a defined tourism cluster or tourism-dependent community

  • An anchor product or service in a destination

What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects will fall under one of two themes: 

  1. Product development/development and enhancement of tourism experiences to help tourism businesses adapt to the “new normal”, to modernize tourism offerings, and to help the sector adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.

  2. Destination development: projects that would position communities to take advantage of post-pandemic opportunities through strategic planning for medium- to long-term investments, as well as supporting destination development, in-line with objectives set out in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.

Are hotels eligible?

The BC Hotel Association and Hotel Association of Canada shared: Hotels may qualify if they are recognized as an anchor attraction in a local destination or are a key supplier or operator in the visitor experience in a region, or are part of a defined tourism cluster.

What are the timelines?

  • The project start date cannot be earlier than April 19, 2021. For projects already underway, insert the day from which your organization began incurring eligible costs for activities associated with this project.

  • The project end date cannot be later than March 31, 2023.

  • Costs may be eligible on a retroactive basis up to 12 months prior to the receipt of a project application, but no earlier than April 19, 2021.

For more details on the eligibility criteria and application process, please consult the application guide.

Ongoing relief programs

In addition to the recently announced Tourism Relief Fund program, here is a list of federal funding programs currently available.

Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Subsidy to cover a portion of eligible expenses until September 25, 2021. Also includes an additional Lockdown Support of 25% if your business was significantly affected by a public health order. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Aimed at sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment, and will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans up to $1 million for up to ten years.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers part of your employee wages retroactively back to December 20, 2020 until September 25, 2021. The maximum subsidy is 75%. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525

Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is designed to encourage businesses to grow as the economy recovers, whether it’s due to hiring and re-hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay.

Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS OR CRHP – here is a comparison between the two programs

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): $400 per week for 13 two-week periods between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021 for self-employed workers and those in the gig economy. Applications are handled through the Canada Revenue Agency. Hotline: 1-833-966-2099

Indigenous Programs: First Peoples’ Cultural Council Arts Program. Grants ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 for Indigenous B.C. residents open for the Spring 2021 intake.

BC Hospitality Foundation: Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on sale now

Take are on sale for the BC Hospitality Foundation’s first ever online 50/50 raffle. Purchase tickets here.

The raffle starts with a $1000 jackpot and increases with every ticket purchased until sales close on August 16, 2021. The initiative is a fundraiser for the BC Hospitality Foundation – the only charity of its kind in Canada, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need.

Tickets for the raffle:

  • 5 for $10

  • 20 for $20

  • 150 for $40

The winning name will be drawn at noon on August 17. Please support our hospitality and tourism sector by purchasing tickets and spreading the word about the raffle among your friends, family, and colleagues!

Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. The registered charity also administers a scholarship program that fosters the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Thinking about fall hiring? Student Work Placement Program

Now’s the time to start hiring students for the fall semester! And if you need a little help, the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) offers a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 towards hiring a student.

The SWPP has changed eligibility criteria, meaning your organization can probably access funding! Join us on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 1:00pm PT for an information session on how the program works, eligible positions, and how to apply.

Brought to you by the Talent MATCH Program, the SWPP Info Session will feature representatives from two SWPP delivery partners: Cheryl Serpanchy, the Regional Coordinator at ICTC WIL Digital, and Louie Di Palma, the Director of SME Programs at the Talent Opportunities Program. They will review student positions their programs can fund, employer and student eligibility criteria, and how to apply.

This info session is free, but you must register for it here.

Want more information on hiring students? Visit the Talent MATCH webpage for more details or contact Project Manager Debby Reis at TalentMatch@acewilbc.ca.

Upcoming BCHA Webinars

Join the BC Hotel Association at their upcoming free webinars:

FREE WEBINAR: BC Step 3 Restart | Best Practices for Accommodators
DATE: Friday, July 16 at 10am 

Since entering Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan on July 1st, COVID-19 restrictions have eased, stringent safety protocols have relaxed, and accommodators and their employees have faced challenges ensuring they are operating in-line with current guidelines while continuing to build consumer confidence.

Join the BC Hotel Association and go2HR for a virtual information session that will outline best practices for hotel operations as we enter a post COVID-19 era – from practices surrounding housekeeping, spa, and pool use, to hosting indoor/outdoor events, food service, and the transition to implementing a communicable disease prevention program.

Register Here

FREE WEBINAR: Rebates & Rising Energy Rates | Speed Financial Recovery Through Sustainability Webinar
DATE: Thursday, July 22 at 1pm 

Did you know that forging a path to sustainability not only helps our planet but can result in significant savings?

Join BCHA partner, Angela Nagy of GreenStep Solutions, where she will walk through how accommodators can best take advantage of the BCHA GoGreen Program to cut high fixed costs now and in the future, as a way to adapt, survive, and thrive after the impacts of COVID-19.

Participants will learn what the first three steps are in getting started, as well as immediate low and no-cost measures they can take to realize quick wins and early savings.

Register Here

Where does your business need help during pandemic recovery? Take the COVID-19 ‘Pulse Check’ Survey

Last week, the BC Chamber of Commerce launched its most recent COVID-19 ‘Pulse Check’ survey in partnership with the Government of BC to understand how your business has been impacted by COVID-19 and what supports you need to navigate pandemic recovery. 

The BC Chamber wants to hear from your liquor business – how is COVID-19 impacting you today compared to the start of the pandemic? What does your business need for a successful recovery? Take the survey here. 

Your feedback will inform essential next steps for key stakeholders to support your business and, more importantly, will help your business get what it needs through and beyond the pandemic. 

Use your voice and take the survey (~7-min) before July 16, 2021, at 4:00pm PDT.

Ann Brydle