Update: New Cabinet Ministers and Upcoming Webinars
Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
In yesterday’s update, we shared that Premier John Horgan announced the new provincial cabinet. While many ministers are continuing in their previous roles, there are a number of new cabinet members that will oversee major portfolios such as finance and education.
Since yesterday’s update, we have learned that while Hon. David Eby will continue to serve as BC’s Attorney General, he will not be overseeing the liquor file.
Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson will serve as BC’s next finance minister and oversee the LDB.
Read Minister Robinson’s mandate letter from Premier Horgan. There is no specific reference to our industry, except that the Minister of Finance will now be responsible for the LDB and its associated revenue-generating activities.
Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Mike Farnworth will continue in his roles as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and oversee the LCRB.
Read Minister Farnworth’s mandate letter from Premier Horgan. The letter includes a specific reference to our industry: “Help B.C. restaurants and hospitality businesses through COVID-19 and beyond by delivering a temporary cap on food delivery app fees and making permanent urgent actions our government took in the spring: authorizing the expansion of service areas, allowing restaurants and pubs to purchase alcohol at wholesale cost, and allowing liquor delivery with takeout.”
We do not anticipate these ministerial changes having any significant impact on our advocacy work. ABLE BC looks forward to working with Ministers Robinson and Farnworth in the days and months ahead on further measures to support our industry in this time of crisis.
If you would like to send a congratulatory note to the Ministers, you can reach them at:
Selina.Robinson.mla@leg.bc.ca and PSSG.Minister@gov.bc.ca.
Webinar on November 30: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
Restaurants Canada is hosting a webinar on Monday, November 30 at 1:00 pm EST to answer your questions about the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). Register here.
The CERS provides direct commercial rent or property expense support to tenants and property owners of qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19.
Join Restaurants Canada for this webinar to ask your CERS questions to knowledgeable professionals, learn what support your business can benefit from with the new CERS program, and what the program eligibility requirements are.
The webinar will provide insights into:
What Lockdown Support is and if your business qualifies for it
How to apply for the CERS, what the process looks like, and what the financial benefits are for your operation
How to retroactively apply for and claim the subsidy
Have a question prepared for the panel of experts? Submit your inquiries in advance here.
Can’t make it, but still interested? Register now and you will receive the webinar recording.
Webinar on December 3: COVID-19 Regulations and Advocacy
Members of BC’s liquor and hospitality industry are invited to a free webinar ABLE BC is hosting on December 3 about current COVID-19 regulations and the advocacy work we’re doing to help your businesses survive.
REGISTER HERE. A Zoom link will be provided by email prior to the webinar.
Note: while all are welcome to attend, the webinar is intended for non-ABLE BC members and those less familiar with the work we do.
Webinar Details
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PT
Location: Zoom [download here]
During the webinar, ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard will discuss the following:
What is BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees, who we are, and what we do
What ABLE BC has been doing to help your businesses survive the pandemic
Overview of current state of industry: public health orders, temporary liquor policy permissions, and the impact of COVID-19 on BC’s liquor industry
Current policy landscape: what we are going to be working on with government for the next several months
Webinar on December 10: What to do if you have a COIVD-19 outbreak
Join ABLE BC and industry experts for a free webinar on December 10 about what to do if you have a COVID-19 outbreak in your workplace, including the steps to follow and how to effectively communicate with and restore confidence in your patrons.
REGISTER HERE. A Zoom link will be provided by email prior to the webinar. Members and non-members are welcome to attend.
Webinar Details
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PT
Location: Zoom [download here]