COVID-19 Update: July 30, 2020
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find inside today’s update:
BC Liberals introduce legislation to support BC’s hospitality sector
SAQ closes 3 retail outlets after employees catch COVID-19
BC Hotel Industry’s Response to BC’s Recovery Plan
Restaurants Canada submits recovery recommendations
Province Responds to Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Submission
Federal government update: Over $95 Million in Relief and Recovery Funds Flow to Businesses in Western Canada
BCHA and Ministry of Labour Webinar: August 6
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.
BC Liberals introduce legislation to support BC’s hospitality sector
John Yap, MLA for Richmond-Steveston and BC Liberal Critic for Liquor and Gaming, introduced legislation yesterday to allow bars and restaurants to permanently sell liquor with delivery and take out sales. If passed, the bill would also support the recent Vancouver Park Board move to allow responsible drinking in 22 municipal parks.
MLA Yap’s bill aims to make permanent some of the common sense solutions brought that have been implemented by government over the past few months that expire this fall.
The bill, if passed, will allow establishments to continue to sell unopened liquor as a part of their takeout and delivery offerings and will also let them buy liquor from retail licensee, including private retailers, keeping costs down for business owners and providing opportunities to support locally-owned liquor retailers.
SAQ closes 3 retail outlets after employees catch COVID-19
After eight of its employees tested positive for COVID-19 recently, Quebec’s liquor board is closing three retail locations north of Montreal.
The decision to close the stores, two in Blainville and one in Mirabel, was made at the recommendation of public health authorities, the SAQ announced Wednesday.
The three stores will be closed until further notice. The rest of the SAQ’s retail outlets will remain open.
We share this as a cautionary reminder of why retailers need to remain vigilant in their COVID-19 procedures.
For additional COVID-19 resources, including free signage for your liquor store, please visit our website.
BC Hotel Industry’s Response to BC’s Recovery Plan
Our industry partner, the BC Hotel Association, recently submitted BC hotel industry’s response to the province’s recovery plan.
Download a copy of the letter sent to Premier Horgan and Ministers Beare and James.
In the letter, the BCHA outlined the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, and in particular, the accommodation sector. They have requested a number of support and recommendations for recovery, including:
Working capital recovery grant
Support for adaptation costs
Support for developing resilient BC-focused supply chains
Additional recommendations for investment including addressing lost tax revenue from Online Travel Agencies
The letter also outlines BCHA’s support for the recent industry stimulus proposal submitted by TIABC, which ABLE BC has endorsed (details below).
For more information, please read the BCHA’s full submission to government.
Restaurants Canada submits recovery recommendations
Restaurants Canada’s BC recovery consultation submission was sent to the provincial government on July 21, outlining 16 recommendations. The submission reiterates and supports TIABC’s submission recommendations (details below) and adds some specific foodservice recommendations as well.
As the submission outlines, Restaurant Canada’s June survey indicated that despite reopening, more than 60% of their members were still operating at a loss and only 22% of independent operators and 15% of multi-unit operators were just breaking even.
The survey confirmed that restaurants will need ongoing government support to survive the long road to recovery. In particular members need help with labour costs (CEWS), commercial tenant eviction protection and rent relief (CECRA), as well as help with cash flow and rising debt levels (working capital grants).
Even with ongoing support it will be a long road to recovery with members indicating that it will take between 17-35 months to return to positive cash flow given growing indebtedness, reopening restrictions, and average restart up costs of over $46,000.
For more information, please read the submission.
Province Responds to Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Submission
On July 21, a coalition representing British Columbia’s more than 19,000 tourism and hospitality businesses presented the Provincial government with a recovery stimulus proposal that would see the government allocate $680 million from its $1.5 billion recovery package as an initial investment to help mitigate the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 on the BC visitor economy and its workforce.
ABLE BC has been an active member of this coalition since its start.
On July 29, Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture formally responded to the recovery submission by stating, “Please be assured that your proposal will be considered along with the other feedback we are receiving through the COVID-19 Economic Recovery engagement process.”
Read the full response here.
Federal government update: Over $95 Million in Relief and Recovery Funds Flow to Businesses in Western Canada
On July 28, the Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced that businesses across Western Canada have received over $95 million in support from the RRRF.
These interest-free repayable contributions are now flowing to more than 1,760 businesses across the West that were unable to get access to existing Government of Canada relief measures.
For more information:
BCHA and Ministry of Labour Webinar: August 6
The BC Hotel Association is hosting a free webinar and open forum in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and The Employment Standards Branch. The webinar will outline important information surrounding the Temporary Layoff Variance tool and how to apply.
Webinar Details
What: Temporary Layoff Variance Tool Webinar
When: Thursday, August 6 from 1:00-2:00pm (PT)
The webinar will be 45 minutes in duration with a 15 minute Q&A to follow.
Please complete the registration form and a Zoom link will be sent to you with meeting details the day prior to the webinar.
For more information:
Public Health Agency of Canada Website
Updates from the Government of British Columbia
News Releases from BC Government on COVID-19
Provincial Health Officer Public Health Orders
Updates and Resources from WorkSafeBC
Restaurants, cafes, and pubs: reopening protocols
Updates and Resources from ABLE BC
Liquor and Hospitality Industry Information: EnrichEntrepreneur.com
Human Resources & Occupational Health & Safety Info from go2HR
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC:604-688-5560 or info@ablebc.ca.