COVID-19 Update: September 23, 2021
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find inside today’s update:
Proof of vaccination enforcement
Reminder: public orders currently in place
Registration for 2021 BC Liquor Conference is open
Extension of hand sanitizer authorization
Comment on BC’s Permanent Paid Sick Leave
New COVID-19 Signage Available
Free ABLE BC Webinar: Government Relations and Advocacy Update on September 30
New Special Event Permit Online Application System
Vancouver City Council approves permanent patio program
Insurance Task Force Needs Your Input
BC Vaccine Card: Sample conversations for staff
TIABC Call for Board Nominations
PST Rebate on Select Machinery and Equipment: second application opens on October 1, 2021
Webinar on September 28: Sale and Purchase of a Winery in Canada
Find all past COVID-19 updates here.
Proof of vaccination enforcement
Since the introduction of mandatory verification of vaccine cards last Monday, 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.
We have also confirmed that inspections and enforcement of non-compliant businesses is ongoing. Although some operators may disagree with the current requirements, you are obliged to follow all Public Health Orders currently in place in BC.
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.
Next week, we will circulate a confidential industry survey to help assess the impact of vaccine cards on your businesses. We need to understand how it has impacted your revenue, expenses, and interactions with customers. Your responses will give us the real-world information we need to advocate for the government support you need to succeed.
We know this is a difficult and contentious issue for many customers. If you or your customers continue to have concerns about vaccine cards, we encourage you to reach out directly to your MLA (find your MLA here).
Reminder: public orders currently in place
As a reminder, the following province-wide public orders are currently in place:
The following regional public orders are also in place:
Interior Health: Gatherings and Events
Northern Health: Gatherings and Events
For more information about current restrictions, you can also visit these government websites:
BC’s Restart Plan: we’re currently in Step 3
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC:
info@ablebc.ca.
Registration for 2021 BC Liquor Conference is open
The BC Liquor Conference is back for a sixth year and we’re going hybrid!
Hosted by ABLE BC, this year’s conference will take place online and in-person on Monday, October 25, 2021. A portion of the tickets are available to attend in person and the remaining are available for virtual attendance
No matter where you are in the province, tune in and get the liquor industry data, trends, and policy updates you can’t get anywhere else.
Register now for the 2021 BC Liquor Conference.
We don’t need to tell you that BC’s hospitality industry was hit first – and hit hardest – by the COVID-19 pandemic. The liquor industry has been forced to adapt and drastically change in this new normal, while complying with stringent new regulations that have limited your ability to operate profitably.
Join us at the 2021 Hybrid BC Liquor Conference and get the actionable steps and knowledge you need to rebuild after COVID-19.
Learn more and register now.
Extension of hand sanitizer authorization
Today, the LCRB released Policy Directive 21-19. To continue to support industry with increased opportunities to generate revenue, while also ensuring the ongoing production of essential health and safety products, this policy directive extends the authorization for brewery, winery and distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and package alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizer until 30 days after the Provincial Health Officer announces that BC has entered Step 4 of its Restart Plan.
This directive also extends the authorization for brewery, winery and distillery licensees to use their establishments to sell and/or donate alcohol-based sanitizer and sanitizer until six months after the authorization has expired – both authorizations were previously to expire on September 30, 2021.
Comment on BC’s Permanent Paid Sick Leave
British Columbians are invited to have their say on three proposed options for permanent paid sick leave shaped by their responses to the first phase of consultation.
The options paper has been posted on government’s engagement site and is available for comment until October 25. Three options have been developed that cover the minimum number of days: three, five and 10 days of paid sick leave. To leave a comment on the engagement site, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/paidsickleave/
ABLE BC will be submitting our recommendations, but we encourage you to do the same.
In May 2021, amendments to the Employment Standards Act laid the groundwork for establishing minimum standards for permanent paid sick leave. Following the public engagement process, paid sick leave will be established through regulation and come into effect on January 1, 2022.
New COVID-19 Signage Available
New signage is available in ABLE BC’s online store, reminding your regular customers that you have to check for proof of vaccination every time they enter your establishment.
Download a free PDF sign or purchase a laminated sign.
Visit ABLE BC’s online store for all COVID-19 signage.
Free ABLE BC Webinar: Government Relations and Advocacy Update on September 30
We invite you to join us at a Government Relations and Advocacy Update: Thursday, September 30 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am PT on Zoom.
RSVP here. A Zoom link will be provided one day prior to the webinar.
During this free webinar, ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard will provide an update on:
Current Provincial Health Officer public order restrictions
BC Vaccine Card program
Labour shortages
What ABLE BC is doing in the immediate future to support your businesses during COVID-19
Progress update on other policy priorities, including licensee sales and Business Technical Advisory Panel recommendations
And more
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership and Communications): danielle@ablebc.ca.
New Special Event Permit Online Application System
On September 21, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch launched a new Special Event Permit (SEP) online application system. The new system replaces the current SEP application system, managed by the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), which will be decommissioned on October 4, 2021.
As you may know, event organizers, including caterers, can apply for a SEP through the to provide temporary or infrequent liquor service at an event. Earlier this summer, it was announced that private liquor retailers can sell to Special Event Permits.
What you need to know:
As of September 21, 2021, applicants will be able to apply for a SEP, pay fees, and get their permit online through the LCRB’s liquor and cannabis licensing portal
The new LCRB SEP application system has several login options to ensure system access and authentication. Applicants will need to login with either a Business BCeID, BC Mobile Card (BC Services Card on their mobile device), or a Basic BCeID. Businesses should allow one to two weeks for processing time if they are setting up a new Business BCeID. Learn more here.
Additional information about SEPs and how to login to the system will be available on the LCRB website.
Applicants who have an approved, unpaid SEP as of September 21, 2021 must pay for and download their permits within the old LDB online system before it is decommissioned on October 4, 2021.
Applicants with applications still under review as of September 21, 2021 will be notified of the outcome of their application from the lDB system soon thereafter and must pay for and download their permits using the old LDB online system before October 4, 2021.
If you have questions about SEP, please contact the LCRB’s SEP support team toll free at 1-855-999-7656 or by email at LCRB.SEP@gov.bc.ca.
Vancouver City Council approves permanent patio program
Patios will become a permanent, recurring fixture of Vancouver’s streetscape, following Vancouver City Council’s unanimous decision Wednesday morning. This is excellent news that will support many members, and comes as a direct result of our advocacy efforts with the City of Vancouver.
The Temporary Expedited Patio Program (TEPP) first launched in June 2020 as an urgent measure to help support struggling restaurants from strict indoor dining capacity restrictions will transition into a permanent program, following its repeated proven success and popularity with both businesses and the general public.
TEPP’s current season is set to end at the end of next month. Moving ahead with a permanent program, the plan is to have a recurring summer patio season continue from April 1 to October 31 each year, with flexibility for increased capacity during the summer months.
But the one major change for the permanent program starting in 2022 is the instatement of patio fees, using the existing framework in place before the pandemic. TEPP in 2020 and 2021 was a free program, with all permit and application fees waived to support businesses at a time when they saw diminished cash flow.
For more information, please click here.
For more information, on the provincial Temporary Expanded Service Area Authorization click here. Information on applying for a permanent structural change can be found here.
Insurance Task Force Needs your Input
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Association (PTTIA) that includes TIABC, have formed a task force on the issue of rising insurance premiums in the tourism industry.
We are continuing to hear from operators concerned with commercial insurance access, premium increase and limited liability coverage. Insurance is a fundamental element in the industry’s ability to build back stronger post pandemic.
To help with TIABC’s advocacy work on this issue, please complete this survey by September 24. Thank you for your time and input.
BC Vaccine Card: Sample conversations for staff
The BCRFA has created a new PDF guide to help staff navigate conversations with challenging guests around the BC Vaccine Card.
For more assistance, please refer to go2HR’s scripts on responding to difficult customers during COVID-19.
TIABC Call for Board Nominations
The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors.
For the 2021-2023 term, TIABC is seeking a total of five (5) candidates:
From the DMO category one (1) is required for a two-year term. One board member is seeking re-election.
From the Sector Association category sector two (2) are required for a two-year term. Two board members are seeking re-election.
From the Business Membership category two (2) are required for a two-year term. Two board members are seeking re-election.
As per the bylaws, the Tourism Industry Association of BC requests that all nominations from members be received 45 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. All nominations for director positions therefore, must be received on or before October 2, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
About TIABC: the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) advocates on behalf of the 19,300+ tourism businesses and 161,000 employees that work in every community and region of our province for the interests of British Columbia’s $22 billion+ visitor economy (2019).
As a not-for-profit tourism industry association, TIABC works collaboratively with its members – private sector tourism businesses, industry associations and destination marketing organizations – to ensure the best working environment for a competitive tourism industry.
More Information: to receive the TIABC Board Nomination Form, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Deborah Kulchiski (Manager, Special Projects, TIABC) at deborah@tiabc.ca.
PST Rebate on Select Machinery and Equipment: second application opens on October 1, 2021
The BC PST Rebate on Select Machinery and Equipment is a temporary provincial sales tax (PST) program to help corporations recover from the financial impacts of COVID-19.
Under this temporary program, corporations can apply to receive an amount equal to the PST they paid between September 17, 2020 and September 30, 2021 on qualifying machinery and equipment.
Please note – PST invoiced before the deadline but paid after September 30, 2021 does not qualify for the rebate. Be aware that some businesses may be closed on September 30, 2021 for the new federal statutory holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
For more information, including eligibility requirements and access to the application, visit gov.bc.ca/corporatePSTrebate. Look for the ‘Apply Online’ box at the upper right of the page.
If you have an eTaxBC logon for your PST account:
Select the ‘Log on to eTaxBC’ option
Once logged in, select your PST account
Under ‘I Want To’ select ‘Apply for Select Machinery & Equip Rebate’
Webinar on September 28: Sale and Purchase of a Winery in Canada
The Canadian Chapter of the International Wine Law Association is holding a webinar on September 28 at 9:00 am PT on the “Sale and Purchase of a Winery” in Canada.
Join AIDV Canada members Al Hudec of Farris LLP (British Columbia) and Lara Nathans of McCarthy Tétrault LLP (Ontario) as they discuss legal and business issues arising in the context of buying and selling a winery in Canada. Moderated by Chris Wilson, President, AIDV Canada.
Topics include:
Lessons from recent mega-deals
What motivates sellers?
The universe of potential buyers
Critical due diligence issues including vineyards, leases and grape supply, environmental and land reserve issues, and other regulatory issues
Preparing for a sale including tax and estate planning, management succession
The sale process
Deal points beyond pricing including working capital/inventory adjustments, indemnities and risk allocation
Non-competes and other restrictive covenants
Learn more and register here.