COVID-19 Update: October 28, 2021

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • 2021 BC Liquor Conference

  • Updated public orders

  • Reminder: two doses now required for BC Vaccine Card

  • Compliance and Enforcement Update

  • Update on the Wage and Rent Subsidy Programs

  • Province-wide booster dose is next step in COVID-19 immunization plan

  • BC Hospitality Foundation Connoisseur Online Auction Open for Bids

  • Vancouver International Wine Festival: Mark your calendars for 2022

  • COVID-19 Sales On Premise Impact Report

  • WorkBC Richmond Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair

  • BSAFE Course Updated with Proof of Vaccination Protocol

Find all past COVID-19 updates here.

2021 BC Liquor Conference

On behalf of ABLE BC’s Board of Directors and staff, thank you to everyone who attended the 2021 BC Liquor Conference. Whether you joined us in-person or virtually, we hope you enjoyed your conference experience.

The day began with an Industry Update by ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard. He provided updates on the state of the industry, our advocacy work and policy priorities, vaccine verification, paid sick leave, labour shortages, and more.

Jeff’s presentation was followed by Is Mandatory Workplace Vaccination Legal? with Mathews Dinsdale’s Ryan Anderson. Ryan answered three key questions for employers: are mandatory vaccination policies legal, how to decide if a mandatory vaccination policy is a good idea for your business, and what are the risks and how to mitigate them? 

LCRB General Manager Mary Sue Maloughney wrapped up our morning seminars with an update on the branch’s service modernization project, compliance and enforcement, how they’ve supported licensees through COVID-19, and liquor policy.

Over lunch, delegates enjoyed one of the most popular conference seminars: Retail Trends and Consumer Insights with Caroline Bourke (Arterra Wines), Alyssa Rodrigo and Marc-Olivier Bourgeois (Labatt Breweries), and Jan Westcott (Spirits Canada).

WorkSafeBC’s Kira Berntson kicked off our afternoon sessions with a presentation on preventing bullying and harassment in the workplace and employers responsibilities. 

The 15 Group’s David Hopkins was back at the BC Liquor Conference for a numbers-driven presentation on how to win in the bar and restaurant business and the three simple reasons why so many bars and restaurants fail.

The conference would not be complete without a presentation by insurance defence lawyer and liquor liability expert, Dolden Wallace Folick’s Lorne Folick. He presented on BC’s no-fault regime and what it means for licensees.

We closed the BC Liquor Conference with a panel discussion with ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard, BCHA President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett, and TIABC CEO Walt Judas, moderated by Rising Tide Consultant’s President Bert Hick. They discussed the state and future of BC’s tourism and hospitality industries, how we’ve come together over the pandemic, and the challenges we’ll face moving forward.

If you attended the conference, please take 3-5 minutes to complete our survey about your conference experience. Your feedback is critical in our ongoing efforts to improve and reshape the conference in 2022.

Conference photos by photographer Alison Boulier will be available on the ABLE BC Facebook page in the coming days.

The BC Liquor Conference would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: Western Financial Group, SkipTheDishes, Navacord and Waypoint Insurance, Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council, go2HR, Rising Tide Consultants, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, ContainerWorld, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP, EMC Publications, Foodbuy, Labatt Breweries, Mathews Dinsdale, and RBC Royal Bank of Canada.

A big thank to you to our event organizer Aurillia Consulting’s Alana Dickson for your hard work in putting together the conference!

Updated public orders

The updated public orders for Food and Liquor Serving Premises and Gatherings and Events are now available. The public orders were updated to reflect the restrictions that lifted on Monday, October 25. 

Food and Liquor Serving Premises Public Order

The order is directed towards restaurants with table service, cafes, food primary or liquor primary establishments, including pubs, bars, lounges and nightclubs, liquor manufacturing facilities that have tasting rooms with seating, and private clubs.

Highlights of the public order: 

  • The requirement for patrons to remain seated has been removed. Patrons are also allowed to mingle and move between tables.

  • However, if patrons consume food or drink on the premises, there must be sufficient seating for them, whether at a table, booth or counter. Patrons must be assigned a table, booth or counter, and shown to their seats.

  • ABLE BC has verbally confirmed with the PHO that the requirement for patrons to be assigned a seat will be removed from the public order this week. We will let you know once this happens.

  • Dance floors must be closed with physical barriers or occupied with tables, unless they are being used for a dance performance.

  • A patron must not dance on the premises.

  • A food service establishment with a liquor license which does not have table service, and which only sells liquor for takeaway, does not have to check for proof of vaccination.

  • Patrons are still required to wear a mask when standing, but can remove it to eat or drink.

  • For more information, please read the public order.

Gatherings and Events Public Order

For more information on the changes to the Gatherings and Events public order, please read our update on October 27.

Reminder of Regional Orders in Effect

The following regional orders remain in effect and supersede the provincial public orders:

For more information on the regional orders, please read our update on October 27.

Reminder: two doses now required for BC Vaccine Card 

Effective Sunday, October 24, 2021, full vaccination for everyone born in 2009 or earlier and presentation of your BC Vaccine Card is now required to access certain events, services, and businesses. You are fully vaccinated with two doses.

For more information:

Compliance and Enforcement Update

Since the introduction of the BC Vaccine Card program on September 13, many of you have written or called with questions about enforcement and to express frustration about the lack of government support for your businesses and workers – who are on the front lines of enforcing this mandatory requirement. Please know we have shared these concerns with government directly.

Government has created a multi-agency enforcement task force and they meet regularly to discuss enforcement issues and coordinate efforts. ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard meets with them weekly.

Between September 13 and October 22 there were:

  • 1483 complaints

  • 1035 investigated

  • 682 resolved through education/compliance

  • 77 warning letters

  • 53 coordinated enforcement activities

  • 24 Violation Tickets issues

  • 9 closure orders issued

  • 2 liquor licenses suspended

  • 2 business licenses suspended

  • 1 court injunction

Thank you to everyone who has reported non-compliant businesses. We have forwarded these businesses to the enforcement task force. Every business we have reported is being inspected and enforcement actions are underway.

If you have concerns about an operator in your community not following vaccine card rules, you may reach out confidentially to Executive Director Jeff Guignard directly at jeff@ablebc.ca. 

Update on the Wage and Rent Subsidy Programs

On October 21, with CEWS and CERS set to expire imminently, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced that the federal government is replacing the current wage and rent subsidy programs with targeted support for the hospitality industry and other uniquely hard-hit businesses.

The government is proposing the following changes to business support programs:

  • Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022 for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10 per cent and increase the subsidy rate to 50 per cent.

  • Deliver targeted support to businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges. Support would be available through two streams:

  • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program: provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, to hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, bars and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent

  • Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program: provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs to other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent

  • Applicants for these programs will use a new “two-key” eligibility system whereby they will need to demonstrate significant revenue losses over the course of 12 months of the pandemic, as well as revenue losses in the current month.

  • Businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns will be eligible for up to the maximum amount of the wage and rent subsidy programs, during the local lockdown, regardless of losses over the course of the pandemic.

  • These programs will be available until May 7, 2022, with the proposed subsidy rates available through to March 13, 2022. From March 13 to May 7, 2022, the subsidy rates will decrease by half.

  • To better respond to the needs of businesses, including hard-hit businesses, the government is proposing to make legislative amendments to increase the aggregate monthly rent subsidy cap from $300,000 to $1 million (including any amounts claimed by affiliated entities) starting on October 24, 2021.

  • This new monthly cap would be available to all eligible employers and organizations that meet the new eligibility requirements for the rent subsidy under the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program.

For more information: 

The Canada Recovery Hiring Program has also been extended to May 7, 2022 with a 50% subsidy rate. 

For more information on all economic support available, please click here.

Province-wide booster dose is next step in COVID-19 immunization plan 

More people in BC will start to receive invitations for a COVID-19 booster shot as the Province continues its COVID-19 immunization plan, prioritizing B.C.’s elderly and most at-risk through to the December holiday.

The plan expands to include all British Columbians 12+ beginning in January 2022.

People 70+ who are registered in the Get Vaccinated System, as well as Indigenous Peoples 12+, will soon be invited to book their booster, which will help maintain protection against COVID-19. Booster doses are underway for other priority groups, including residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities and vulnerable people living in shelters or high-risk congregate settings, and are in use as part of outbreak management.

As was the case with the first and second doses, the timing of invitations is based on risk and age (beginning oldest to youngest), with an interval of between six to eight months from the second dose.

For more information, please click here.

BC Hospitality Foundation Connoisseur Online Auction Open for Bids

The BC Hospitality Foundation and IVSA have launched its 2021 Connoisseur Online Auction. The auction will run from October 22 to November 5, 2021 and features an outstanding lineup of wines and spirits to bid on, as well as local cuisine and activities. 

Auction items include: 

  • Michter’s US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon with Michter’s cocktail shaker and 2 rocks glasses

  • Whistler getaway package for 2 with 2 nights accommodation, golf, lunch, and dinner

  • 6 bottles of Stonestreet Rockfall Vineyard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Bottle of Amahagan Whisky World Malt Edition No. 1 from Japan’s Nagahama distillery

Bid online. The site will also be accepting cash donations. Check back often as items are added.

Vancouver International Wine Festival: Mark your calendars for 2022

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is returning in 2022: May 16 to May 22 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues around town. Featuring tastings, winery dinners, lunches, seminars, and a fundraising Bacchanalia Gala with auction.

As we are easing our way back to normal, VIWF is postponing their planned theme region of South America until 2023, when they can properly showcase the wineries and wines of South America.

Full plans are still in the works. The VIWF team looks forward to sharing more details over the coming weeks and months.

COVID-19 Sales On Premise Impact Report

Restaurants Canada has partnered with CGA to release new COVID-19 Sales On Premise Impact Reports, highlighting critical alcohol velocity trends across Canada. Released monthly, each report will help you make better business decisions based on what Canadians prefer when it comes to dine-in alcohol orders. 

Download the latest report.

WorkBC Richmond Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair

WorkBC Richmond, the BCHA, and the Richmond Public Library are pleased to connect job seekers and employers for an afternoon of engagement and networking at the Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair. 

During this in-person, exhibition-format hiring fair, employers will have the opportunity to meet with over 200 candidates to cultivate employment interest, establish connections, and secure skilled workers. 

Event Details

  • Thursday, November 25 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm

  • Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch (100-7700 Minoru Gate)

There will be ten 25 minute time slots with a maximum of 20 job seekers per appointment time. A maximum of 10 employers will be in attendance.

Register here. 

For more information please contact: 

BSAFE Course Updated with Proof of Vaccination Protocol

go2HR’s COVID-19 health and safety training course BSAFE has been updated to reflect BC proof of vaccination protocol. 

Course updates include important information about how to verify vaccination status and handling challenging customer interactions.

Learn more and sign-up for the course here. 

Quick BSAFE Facts

  • 450+ organizations and 5300+ participants have already registered for BSAFE and are on their way to becoming BSAFE Trained

  • FREE for all BC tourism and hospitality employers and employees

  • Online training course that is 90 minutes in length

Ann Brydle