Weekly Liquor Industry Update: February 3, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here's what you'll find inside today's update:
Paid sick leave FAQ
Paid sick leave survey
Apply now for reimbursement for COVID-19 related sick leave in 2021
BC's tourism and hospitality labour recovery framework
Reminder: TESA's expiring soon, apply for a permanent patio NOW!
Go2HR complimentary safety plan review service
2021 census data coming soon!
A message from Dana Harris, former BCHF Executive Director
Find all past updates here.
Paid Sick Leave FAQ
As of Jan. 1, 2022, all BC workers are entitled to five days of paid sick leave. We are continuing to work with our industry partners to request logical and necessary amendments to this policy, including pressuring government to redefine “employment year” as a calendar year and to re-introduce the now-expired Employer Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 related sick leave wages.
We have put together this FAQ to help you better understand this policy.
If you have any other questions about this policy, please reach out to us at info@ablebc.ca.
Paid Sick Leave Survey
We continue to hear from many members about the ongoing serious impact that BC's new paid sick leave policy is having on your businesses.
We have also heard your frustrations about the timing of this policy, which was introduced amid both a serious labour shortage and the peak of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant.
We need your help to better understand how this policy is impacting you and your business. Please take a moment complete our industry survey. Responses are confidential and will be used only in aggregate .
This survey will be open until Thursday, February 10, 2022.
HELPFUL LINKS
ABLE BC Resources
Visit our COVID-19 Resources page for Liquor Primary COVID Best Practices, template signage, recent policy changes, and more.
Public Health Orders
Visit this page to download all current regional and provincial public health orders.
BC's Restart Plan
Visit the BC Government website for more information on the four-step
Restart Plan.
go2HR Resources
Visit the go2HR website for COVID-19 FAQ for Employers, HR information and updates, and more.
Apply Now for Reimbursement for COVID-19 Related Sick Leave in 2021
You can still apply for reimbursement for employee COVID-19 sick leave taken between May 20, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
The reimbursement program will close on February 11, 2022 at 4:00 pm.
Reimbursement applications must be submitted online through WorkSafeBC.
If you have questions, please email LBR.COVIDPaidSickLeave@gov.bc.ca or call 1-888-PAY-4C19
BC's Tourism and Hospitality Labour Recovery Framework
The biggest challenge for our industry right now, as you all are acutely aware, is a severe labour shortage. Put simply, there are more jobs than workers.
A coalition led by go2HR with the help of ABLE BC and hotel and tourism associations across BC has come together to build a labour recovery framework for BC’s tourism and hospitality industries. With the help of this coalition, we are working with the provincial government to support this recovery framework.
We understand this may not address immediate labour shortages, but the framework will provide guidance for long-term labour recovery and retention.
The framework is guided by six pillars:
Grow labour supply
Renew our value
Engage on community infrastructure
Build back stronger
Future-proof skills development
Transform with technology
We will keep you informed as updates are available. You can visit the go2HR website here for more details.
If you would like to share feedback, please email us at info@ablebc.ca.
Reminder: TESA's Expiring Soon, Apply for a Permanent Patio NOW!
If you are planning to install a patio this summer, you need to take urgent action now. TESA applications from last year are expiring soon and do not provide approval for patios this coming summer.
On June 15, 2021, the LCRB extended the deadline for currently approved Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESAs) to expire on June 1, 2022.
This means that if you have not made the service area under your TESA permanent by applying for a permanent structural change (e.g., applying for a patio), your TESA will expire on June 1, 2022 and you will not be able to sell or serve liquor in the expanded space.
It’s very important to note that it can take up to 10 months to get your application approved. Licensees who have not yet applied are now at risk of their TESA expiring before they can get approval for a new outdoor patio or structural change.
You can find more information on how to apply via the LCRB’s website.
Please note, not all TESA authorizations will be viable permanent patios. Before you apply and pay the fee, it is your responsibility to work with your local government and authorities to make sure the TESA you want to make permanent complies with all local permits, guidelines, bylaws and requirements.
To apply you will need:
An updated floor plan that clearly shows the structural change
These plans generally require an occupancy load
If you are a Liquor Primary or Manufacturer licensee, your structural change application will be sent to your local government for their comments
To apply as a Liquor Primary or Food Primary licensee:
Log in to the liquor and cannabis licensing portal with a BCeID
Go to the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard and find the licence you want to change.
Select:
"New Outdoor Patio" for an outdoor TESA or
"Structural Change Application" for an indoor TESA
Complete the application
You can find more information here.
If you have questions about your expiring TESA or applying for a permanent structural change, we encourage you to contact a liquor licensing consultant. Check out the ABLE BC Buyer’s Guide for recommended consultants.
Go2HR Complimentary COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Service
Recently, BC’s Provincial Health Officer announced an order re-introducing COVID-19 safety plans in businesses. This order replaces the requirement for employers to have a communicable disease prevention plan and does not have an expiration date.
Go2HR is offering a complimentary COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Service for tourism and hospitality industry employers.
Register for go2HRs review service today!
2021 Census Data is Coming Soon!
As of February 9, 2022, Statistics Canada will start releasing census data. The data may be beneficial to your business as it sheds light on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities across the country.
The first data release on February 9, 2022 will give you a fresh look at your community and our country's growing population. Subsequent releases throughout 2022 will focus on Canada's shifting demographic profile, including families and households, income, First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, and the labour force, among others.
For more information about data release topics and timelines, visit the 2021 Census dissemination planning web page.
Message from Dana Harris, Former Executive Director of BCHF
After several years of dedicated service as BC Hospitality Foundation’s Executive Director, Dana Harris has stepped down as of January 31, 2022.
“I have loved leading a charity that makes a tangible positive difference in people’s lives. It’s been a pleasure working with so many wonderful people, both within our organization and in the community of individuals and businesses who support the Foundation” said Harris.
Read her full message here.
Alana Dickson has taken over as Executive Director of BCHF.