COVID-19 Update: June 10, 2021

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • BC Restart Plan: Phase Two on June 15

  • Free Webinar on June 16: What does BC’s no-fault auto regime mean for liquor liability?

  • Join ABLE BC at our Monthly Q&A: June 24

  • Policy Expiry on June 30: Extension of temporary hours of sale and delivery

  • Policy Expired on June 6: Temporary authority to sell growlers with takeaway and delivery meals

  • Apply June 15: COVID-19 Paid Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program

  • Additional funding for Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program

  • Federal update: Extension to loan programs and wage and rent subsidies

  • Special Event Permits: applications open again

  • Webinar on June 15: COVID-19 Vaccines and the Workplace – Your Questions Answered

  • Virtual Forum on June 15: Reimagine Granville Street

  • Request for donations: BC Hospitality Foundation Silent Auction

  • Need help hiring? Learn how the WorkBC Wage Subsidy can support you

  • Provincial state of emergency extended

Find all past COVID-19 updates here.

BC Restart Plan: Phase Two on June 15

Phase Two of BC’s Restart Plan is set to begin on Tuesday, June 15.

In today’s press conference, Dr. Henry seemingly confirmed Phase Two will be going ahead on June 15: “As today’s modelling presentation shows us, British Columbia is in a good position to continue to safely move forward with BC’s Restart plan. Community transmission, hospitalizations and deaths are all declining as immunizations are going up […] 

We’ve done the right things and we want to keep going. As we look to next week and next month, we will keep progressing through this phase […]”

Here’s what happens in Phase Two:

  • Physical distancing and masks continue to be required in public indoor settings

  • Outdoor personal gatherings with up to 50 people allowed (birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties)

  • Indoor seated organized gatherings with up to 50 people with a COVID Safety Plan allowed

  • Provincial travel restrictions lifted and recreational travel within BC allowed

  • Liquor served until midnight

  • Banquet halls can operate with limited capacity and COVID Safety Plan

  • Consultation with industry associations begins for next steps on easing restrictions

The full Restart Plan can be found here.

We know many of you have questions if events (i.e., hosting and promoting events, trivia nights, etc.) will be allowed at Food and Liquor Serving Premises in Phase Two.

The current conditions for events are laid out in section 33 of the public order. ABLE BC has reached out to the Provincial Health Officer for clarification if the order will change in Phase Two.

Free Webinar on June 16: What does BC’s no-fault auto regime mean for liquor liability?

We invite you to join us for a free webinar on Wednesday, June 16 at 10:00 am PT: What does BC’s No-Fault Auto Regime mean for liquor liability?
BC’s new no-fault auto regime creates a “disincentive” for a patron to sue you. Does that mean insurance should be cheaper and easier to get?

Join Lorne Folick (Dolden Wallace Folick LLP) to discuss the impact of of the no-fault auto regime on your liquor business.

Register for the webinar. If you cannot attend live, a recording will be sent out to everyone registered.

To learn more about the application of BC’s no-fault auto regime to commercial liquor licensees, download this article by Lorne Folick and Ouran Li.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership and Communications): danielle@ablebc.ca.

Join ABLE BC at our monthly Q&A: June 24

ABLE BC members and industry colleagues are invited to join us at our next monthly Q&A with Executive Director Jeff Guignard: Thursday, June 24 at 10:00 am PT. 

RSVP here. A Zoom link will be provided once you RSVP.

What to expect during this one-hour meeting: 

  • Catch up on anything you’ve missed over the last month

  • Hear directly from our Executive Director about the state of BC’s liquor industry

  • Get an update on our advocacy work and progress

  • Ask questions about liquor policy, regulations, public health orders, and government relations

  • We’ll also be joined by members of ABLE BC’s Board of Directors

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership and Communications): danielle@ablebc.ca.

Policy Expiry on June 30: Extension of temporary hours of sale and delivery

Please be advised Policy Directive 21-05 (Extension of temporary hours of sale and delivery) is set to expire on June 30, 2021.

Under this policy, the LCRB temporarily extended the hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores and Special Wine Stores, and Manufacturer Onsite Store endorsements to no earlier than 7:00 am and end no later than 11:00 pm.

Associated with the extension of hours of liquor service, the GM also authorized delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell liquor in unopened containers, and deliver and sell that liquor to a customer, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am.

We will keep industry updated if this policy is extended. 

Policy Expired on June 6: Temporary authority to sell growlers with takeaway and delivery meals

Please be advised Policy Directive 21-06 (Temporary authority for the sale and delivery of draught beer for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for take-out or delivery) expired on June 6, 2021. 

On April 7, liquor and food primaries were temporarily authorized to sell and deliver draught beer (i.e., growlers and bombers) to patrons in conjunction with the sale of a meal for consumption outside of the establishment. Now that the policy has expired, this is no longer allowed. 

Liquor and food primaries are permanently allowed to sell unopened, packaged liquor of all types in conjunction with the sale of a meal that is for take-out or delivery. For the purposes of the terms and conditions, the word “unopened” in the regulation means packaged in the container the manufacturer sold the product in.

Apply June 15: COVID-19 Paid Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program

The application for employers to apply for the BC government’s COVID-19 Sick-Leave Reimbursement Program will be available on WorkSafeBC’s online services portal on June 15.

Through the program, employers who do not have an existing sick-leave program can apply to be reimbursed for up to three days of wages paid to workers for COVID-19 related sick leave. The reimbursement program is available for sick leave taken from May 20 until the program ends on December 31, 2021.

How to apply:

To apply for reimbursement, employers must be:

  1. Registered for WorkSafeBC insurance coverage and

  2. Signed up forWorkSafeBC’s employer online services in order to access the COVID-19 Sick-Leave Reimbursement application. If you’re not already signed up, you can sign up now to ensure you receive reimbursement quickly.

How to sign up for WorkSafeBC’s online services:For instructions on how to sign up for online services, please watch this video or read these instructions for signing up.

In addition to the COVID-19 Sick-Leave Reimbursement application, our enhanced employer online services offer the easiest and most convenient way for you to report payroll, pay premiums, and more.

For more information, please visit the BC government’s website on COVID-19 sick leave.

Additional funding for Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program

The Province is adding millions in additional funding to keep the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant operating until the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan on July 1, 2021.

Eligible businesses interested in applying for the grant are encouraged to apply right away. All businesses that apply, including businesses in the application process, must submit all final documentation and details prior to the July 2, 2021, deadline. Outstanding grants and related service-provider claims will continue to be processed as soon as possible after the application period closes.

Quick Facts:

  • The Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program provides fully funded grants to eligible businesses that employ up to 149 BC residents.

  • Grants of $10,000 to a maximum of $30,000 are available with up to an additional $5,000 to $15,000 available to tourism-related businesses.

  • As part of the application process, an applicant is required to develop a business recovery plan.

  • Approved professional service providers are available to help with the application process, including recovery plan support, up to $2,000 per small or medium-sized business. This amount is paid directly to the provider.

For more information on the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program, including the application process and eligibility, click here.

Federal update: Extension to loan programs and wage and rent subsidies

The federal government recently announced the following updates to a few key programs helping businesses pull through the COVID-19 crisis:

For more information on the extension of these support programs, please see the official backgrounder from the Department of Finance.

Special Event Permits: applications open again

In accordance with BC’s Restart Plan, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) resumed issuing Special Event Permits (SEPs) effective May 26, 2021.

SEP applicants and permittees are responsible for maintaining their awareness of any new Provincial Health Orders that may impact their event(s) and must ensure they comply with any restrictions in place at the time of their event(s). Events that do not comply with PHO restrictions may be subject to fines or other enforcement action.

Special Event Permits are available to event hosts who wish to provide temporary or infrequent liquor service at events such as family gatherings, private functions, community festivals, and manufacturer tastings.

Webinar on June 15: COVID-19 Vaccines and the Workplace – Your Questions Answered

Vaccine rollout has continued to accelerate across Canada, and with it comes growing optimism about a return to a semblance of normalcy. However, employers are also asking how this ‘new weapon’ in the fight against COVID-19 might impact their workplaces, including whether employers can mandate their employees to take the vaccine.

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) in partnership with Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) and go2HR have engaged Ryan Anderson, Partner at Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LL P to help address these questions. 

Join them for a free webinar on Tuesday, June 15 from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm PT.

Ryan will provide an overview of the requirements and key OH&S, privacy, human rights, labour and employment considerations for the potential implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination policy, mandatory or otherwise, where one is warranted.

Virtual Forum on June 15: Reimagine Granville Street

What kind of activations, policies, and strategies should be put in place to catalyze the revitalization of the Granville Entertainment District?

A virtual forum, Reimagine Granville Street, presented by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and Daily Hive, will be held from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 to discuss the future of the street.

The forum is free to attend. Register by email at dvbia@dtvan.ca in advance of the session.

The critical discussion will build on the vision for Granville Street outlined in a report earlier this year by the DVBIA and placemaking firm Resonance Consultancy.

As a step towards achieving this goal, Vancouver City Council approved closing Granville Street in downtown for pedestrians this summer.

Chris Fair, the president and CEO of Resonance, will start the virtual forum with a presentation on this vision. This will be followed by a panel discussion led by moderator Karm Sumal, the co-founder and CEO of Daily Hive. Learn more.

Request for donations: BC Hospitality Foundation Silent Auction

Meeting Planners International (MPI) BC Chapter is happy to announce they are hosting their Annual Gala this year with a unique twist to accommodate a safer, in-person, socially distanced event. It will be a joint fundraiser for MPI and the BC Hospitality Foundation. #gALEa21

This year’s event, July g-ALE-a, will be held simultaneously at over 15 outstanding craft breweries along the BC Ale Trail. The event will take place on July 7th, 2021 at 5:30 pm with each brewery hosting a table for 6 people. Early bird tickets go on sale June 15.

To support MPI BC Chapter and the BC Hospitality Foundation a virtual silent auction will be open for all British Columbians to bid from June 28 to July 9, 2021. The goals of the silent auction are to showcase our province’s hospitality and tourism businesses AND get consumers out spending their money locally.

In hopes of raising funds for MPI BC Chapter and the BC Hospitality Foundation, we are kindly soliciting donations from your organization! If you are interested in donating to our online auction, please register your donation here. Deadline for donations is June 24, 2021.

In exchange for your silent auction donation, you will receive….

  • Donation featured on Givergy auction site

  • Social Media support leading up to and during the auction

  • A FREE business listing on guestadvisor.ca (valid until April 2022). This new interactive platform introduces your business to guest facing professionals.

Need help hiring? Learn how the WorkBC Wage Subsidy can support you

The WorkBC Wage Subsidy is a resource for eligible employers who are genuinely looking to hire long-term staff to support their business operations.

It’s a free service provided by the Province of British Columbia, through WorkBC Centres, that incentivizes employers to hire WorkBC-eligible candidates, who are qualified, job-ready and need work experience.

The WorkBC Wage Subsidy program offers an opportunity to employers by:

  • Covering a portion of employee wages

  • Providing disability supports to reduce work-related barriers for an employee

  • Re-hiring/recalling laid off employees

  • Hiring new employees

The program offers benefits to job seekers with:

  • Paid work experience opportunities

  • On-the-job training

  • Possible long-term employment options

Most wage subsidies last for up to 24 weeks and you must offer a full-time position of approximately 35 hours per week. You cannot receive both the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the WorkBC Wage Subsidy for the same employee at the same time. More information can be found here.

Join the next info session on June 16 at 10:00 am PT to learn more. 

During this info session, you’ll learn:

  • About the WorkBC Wage Subsidy and how it can benefit your business

  • Details on the financial supports and other supports WorkBC can provide you

  • About eligibility requirements your business must meet

  • How to get started

Register for the info session here.

Provincial state of emergency extended

The Province of British Columbia has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support the Province’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on June 22, 2021, to allow staff to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns and COVID-19 outbreaks.

For more information, please click here.

Ann Brydle