COVID-19 Update: May 15, 2020

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues, 

Earlier today, WorkSafeBC released its reopening protocols and guidelines for restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Then BC’s hospitality industry broke the internet – all jokes aside, it appears WorkSafeBC’s website temporarily went down.

Helpful Links: 

ABLE BC’s Liquor Primary Reopening Best Practices Guide and Liquor Retailer Best Practices Guide will be released next week to offer greater details and templates for your liquor business. 

Zoom Meeting for Nightclub Owners and Operators:

Regrettably, nightclubs are not included in the above Liquor Primary re-openings. In BC’s Restart Plan, the province acknowledged further challenges await when it comes to getting everything fully reopened, including reopening nightclubs and casinos. 

Next week, ABLE BC will be hosting a Zoom meeting for all nightclub owners and operators to further discuss this issue. Stay tuned for date and time. 

Here’s what else you’ll find in today’s COVID-19 update:

  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy extended to August 29

  • Tips for building customer confidence

  • New: Regional Relief and Recovery Fund for Western Canada businesses

  • LCRB Policy Directive 20-12: extension of sanitizer authorization for manufacturers

  • ContainerWorld COVID-19 General Operational Advisory

  • ABLE BC Member Discount: hand sanitizer

Find all past updates from ABLE BC here.

We hope you enjoy a safe and happy long weekend. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us by email: 
jeff@ablebc.ca or danielle@ablebc.ca.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Extended to August 29

This morning, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the Government of Canada will extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020.

The Wage Subsidy gives eligible employers 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020, and had an original end date of June 6, 2020. The maximum benefit is $847 per employee each week.

The Government said it will also consult with key business and labour representatives over the next month on potential adjustments to the program to incent jobs and growth, including the 30% revenue decline threshold.

Minister Morneau also announced the approval of regulations to extend eligibility for the CEWS to the following groups:

  • Partnerships that are up to 50-per-cent owned by non-eligible members;

  • Indigenous government-owned corporations that are carrying on a business, as well as partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments and eligible employers;

  • Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Associations;

  • Registered Journalism Organizations; and

  • Non-public colleges and schools, including institutions that offer specialized services, such as arts schools, driving schools, language schools or flight schools.

The Government said it also intends to propose legislative amendments to ensure that the CEWS continues to meet its objectives. The proposed amendments would:

  • Provide flexibility for employers of existing employees who were not regularly employed in early 2020, such as seasonal employees;

  • Ensure that the CEWS applies appropriately to corporations formed on the amalgamation of two predecessor corporations and

  • Better align the treatment of trusts and corporations for the purpose of determining CEWS eligibility.

The Prime Minister also said the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit won’t be cut off for anyone who misses the June 1 tax filing deadline. These benefits will continue until the end of September.

Read more:

Note from ABLE BC on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit: 

We understand many of you have concerns that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (temporary income support of $500 per week up to 16 weeks to workers who have stopped working because of COVID-19) will disincentivize individuals from working. 

We wanted to ensure you know: 

  • Individuals can make up to $1000 during a 4-week period while still receiving the CERB

  • Individuals should be reminded they will have to pay taxes on the CERB. I.e. it is not simply $2000 per month in their pocket.

Find more information on the CERB, including eligibility requirements here.

Tips for building customer confidence

The BCRFA shared the following tips for building customer confidence and ensuring a steady flow of customers as you reopen your liquor primary:

  • Have a plan in place to communicate the ways that your business is responding to the challenges of COVID-19:

    • Communicate your plan with your employees

    • Share your plan on your website, social media channels, and with your email list

    • Put up posters in your establishment explaining the precautions you’re taking

  • Share the precautions you are taking to keep food and drink preparation and deliveries safe

    • Put up posters in your establishment about the new practices you’re putting in place to ensure safe deliveries

    • Describe your sanitization process and process for cleaning high-tough locations

    • Don’t be shy about oversharing your food safety messaging to your customer basis. They want to see what you’re doing differently.

New: Regional Relief Recovery Fund for Western Canada businesses

Prime Minister Trudeau and the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages recently announced that businesses in Western Canada that were ineligible for other federal programs can now apply for the Regional Relief Recovery Fund through Western Economic Diversification Canada. 

With $962 million, including $304.2 million designated for Western Canada, the RRRF will support businesses economically impacted by COVID-19.

Businesses and organizations that applied for but were unable to access existing federal COVID-19 relief programs are encouraged to review theRRRF eligibility requirements or to contact Western Economic Diversification Canada for more information.

LCRB Policy Directive 20-12: extension of sanitizer authorization for manufacturers

The LCRB has released Policy Directive 20-12: extends the authorization for brewery, winery and distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizer until December 31, 2020 (from July 15, 2020).

LCRB Assistant Deputy Minister and General Manager Mary Sue Maloughney writes: “This will support industry with increased opportunities to generate revenue, while also supporting the ongoing production of essential health and safety products.”

This authorization will be reviewed as the provincial health context changes. If you have any questions about this policy, please email:
LCRBLiquorPolicy@gov.bc.ca.

Please note that all questions about the production of alcohol-based hand sanitizer or sanitizer must be directed to Health Canada: hc.nnhpd-dpsnso.sc@canada.ca.

Download the full policy directive here.

ContainerWorld: COVID-19 General Operational Advisory 

ContainerWorld has shared with us the following COVID-19 General Operational Advisory from May 7, 2020: 

  • Our Direct Store Distribution volumes are at high seasonal levels, and all channels of delivery are functioning at a high capacity.

  • Import inbound volumes and outbound to the BCLDB continue to remain steady at this time.

  • Volumes in our CLI operations, inclusive of our Kamloops and Kelowna, remain robust.

  • International shipping continues to operate at a steady pace.

Given that as the weeks flow by and we adapt to the “new normal” without significant change from one week to the next, we are considering changing these updates from weekly, to ‘as required’ to streamline everyone’s inbox. 

We would appreciate your feedback regarding this proposal and kindly ask you to email our Customer Care team at customerservice@containerworld.com with your feedback.

We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable long weekend as we move into phase 2 of the provincial government’s reopening programme.

If you would like any additional information please contact ContainerWorld’s Customer Care Department at customerservice@containerworld.com for assistance.

ABLE BC Member Discount: Hand Sanitizer 

All Pro Safety is offering ABLE BC members a 10% discount on their high-end hand sanitizer: 80% alcohol with moisturizer and sold in 4L jugs. 

Regular price is $80 plus GST. A portion of each sale will be donated to BC Emergency Health Services.

The product is available in large or small order capacity. For more information and to place your order:

  • Email All Pro Safety via their website

  • Call All Pro Safety: 250-258-2297

For more information:

Public Health Agency of Canada Website

Updates from the Government of British Columbia

Updates and Resources from ABLE BC

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.

Ann Brydle