Weekly Liquor Industry Update: January 20, 2022

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • Closure Relief Grant funds doubled for eligible businesses

  • Delta and Kamloops LDB distribution centres mandatory physical inventory count

  • TESA's Expiring soon, reapply now!

  • Cannabis Working Group Recommend New Policy

  • B.C. hotels, commercial recreation businesses will receive pandemic supports

  • 2022 Dine out Vancouver Lottery

  • Coquihalla Highway set to reopen

  • ABLE BC in the news

Find all past COVID-19 updates here.

Closure Relief Grant funds doubled for eligible businesses

If you missed our update yesterday, the Province announced it is extending the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant and doubling supports for eligible businesses that have been ordered to remain temporarily closed through public health measures until Feb. 16, 2022.

Businesses directed to remain temporarily closed through public health orders are now eligible for up to $20,000 in total funding, based on staffing levels at the time of closure (see below).

Eligible businesses include:

  • bars, nightclubs and lounges that do not serve full meals; and

  • event venues that had to close due to cancellations.

Businesses that have applied for a COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant do not need to reapply. If you have not applied already, click here to apply for a grant.

The $4-million extension of the original $10-million grant program complements existing federal government programs, including the Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.

Business relief grant eligibility criteria, pay structure

To be eligible for the updated COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant amount, a business is required to:

  • confirm it has been fully closed by the Dec. 22, 2021, provincial health officer’s orders;

  • confirm it was registered with BC Registries before Nov. 1, 2021;

  • produce up-to-date business validation documents (2020 or newer), such as a municipal business licence, liquor licence, notice of assessment, insurance policy, statement of business registration or lease agreement;

  • confirm majority ownership and operations and payment of taxes in B.C.; and

  • confirm that the business has been following and will continue to follow all public health orders.

Eligible businesses that also offer online rentals or online services, but their physical location is fully closed, can apply.

For more information on the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, including the application process and eligibility and timeline, click here.

Eligible businesses that remain temporarily closed as a result of the Jan. 18, 2022, provincial health officer orders will receive funding based on number of staff at the time of closure. The breakdown is as follows:

  • businesses with no employees or contracted staff: $2,000

  • one to four employees or contracted staff: $4,000

  • five to 99 employees or contracted staff: $10,000

  • 100 or more employees or contracted staff: $20,000.

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

HELPFUL LINKS

ABLE BC Resources

Visit our COVID-19 Resources page for Liquor Primary COVID Best Practices, template signage, recent policy changes, and more.

READ MORE

Public Health Orders

Visit this page to download all current regional and provincial public health orders.

VISIT PAGE

BC's Restart Plan

Visit the BC Government website for more information on the four-step

Restart Plan.

READ MORE

go2HR Resources

Visit the go2HR website for COVID-19 FAQ for Employers, HR information and updates, and more.

READ MORE

BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s Mandatory Inventory Count

The LDB has asked that we share the following update with you.

Thursday, February 10 through Sunday, February 13, 2022, The BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB) distribution centres in Delta and Kamloops will conduct a mandatory physical inventory count.

Note: This annual inventory count is subject to change each year and is dependent on seasonal volume and operational demands.

During this time the LDB’s distribution centres will not be fulfilling orders. Orders can be placed during this time, however, will not be processed until after the count is done.

Members who are serviced by the Vancouver Wholesale Customer Centres (WCC Vancouver) will not receive Order Submission Reports from 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 9 until operations resume on Monday, February 14, 2022. You may experience a delay in receiving third-party warehouse stocked product (NSWP). As well as returns will not be processed from February 7 – 13, inclusive.

Members who are Hospitality Customers serviced by BCLS and/or Victoria Wholesale Customer Centres (WCC Victoria) will be able to place orders in this time, however, only product stocked in store/wholesale centres can be fulfilled until the count is complete.

Apply now to make Temporary Expanded Service Area's Permanent

To support the delivery of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s mandate commitment to make TESA authorizations permanent, the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation (LCLR) has been amended.

The TESA provisions in the LCLR will expire on June 01, 2022. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is no longer accepting new applications, so to operate your existing TESA permanently you must apply to the LCRB for a permanent extension of your licensed area.

There is no deadline to apply for a permanent structural change, however, approval can take up to 10 months to complete. Applying early for a permanent structural change will help prevent disruptions in business after the June 1, 2022 expiry of the temporary authorization.

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,

1. Log in to the liquor and cannabis licensing portal with a BCeID

2. Go to the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard and find the licence you want to change.

3. Select:

  • "New Outdoor Patio" for an outdoor TESA or

  • "Structural Change Application" for an indoor TESA

4. Complete the application.

You can find more information here.

Cannabis Working Group Releases Recommended Policy, Calls to Maximize Industry Potential

Earlier this week, the BC Chamber of Commerce Cannabis Working Group (Working Group) released Unlocking BC’s Cannabis Industry. A comprehensive report outlining recommendations in an effort to help build up the legal cannabis industry, improve the province’s economic competitiveness and diversify the economy.

BC Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Fiona Famulak, said “Implementing the Working Group’s recommendations will unlock billions of dollars in private sector investment,” These recommendations aim to create more jobs for British Columbians, increase tax revenue, and position the BC cannabis sector as a leader in Canada and internationally.

The report outlines 13 key policy proposals that modernize regulations, allowing the market to meet customer demand and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens that add unwarranted costs on the industry.

Some key recommendations include:

  • Create an economic mandate for cannabis at a ministerial level in British Columbia.

  • Introduce retail changes to improve consumer access to cannabis provincially.

  • Propose regulatory and taxation changes that will improve competitiveness with the illicit market.

Mandesh Dosanjh, President & CEO of Pure Sunfarms, noted that in 2021, BC’s cannabis industry contributed more to Canada’s economy than some of BC’s most well-established sectors, such as forestry, mining and meat manufacturing. Adding “British Columbia can take a leadership position now to make tangible and responsible choices to propel this sector forward and make the most out of the opportunities cannabis has to offer to improve the province’s competitiveness and diversify our economy.”

After a review and evaluation of the current legal and regulatory framework, The Working Group agrees these recommendations are consistent with the provincial and federal governments’ original policy objectives of eliminating a significant illicit market, keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth, and protecting public health and public safety.

The full Unlocking BC’s Cannabis Industry report can be viewed here.

B.C. Hotels and Commercial Recreation businesses will receive pandemic supports

Friday, January 14th, The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports announced that all Eligible accommodation providers and tourism operators holding tenure and BC Parks permits will now have access to grants to alleviate fixed-cost pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Up to $15 million will be provided through the Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund through three streams:

  • one for B.C.-owned large accommodation providers employing more than 150 people;

  • the second for Indigenous-owned large accommodation properties employing more than 100 people and located on reserve;

  • and the third for tenure and BC Parks permit holders that operate as tourism businesses.

Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said “This grant was a call to action by the Tourism Task Force to support these businesses with their bottom line and ensure they can thrive.”

Identified by the Tourism Task Force’s final report, providing financial support for fixed costs comes as a recommendation for businesses most affected by public-health measures restricting travel and gathering of groups. These supports are intended to help ensure the viability of these businesses through the 2022 winter and spring seasons.

Some key facts:

  • Eligible large accommodation providers can receive up to 25% of property taxes up to a maximum of $500,000 in stream one;

  • In stream two, eligible Indigenous-owned large accommodation providers on reserve can receive 100% of BC Hydro fees, up to maximum of $200,000. (Large accommodation providers include hotels, motels, resorts and lodges, including strata hotels.)

  • Eligible commercial recreation businesses can receive 100% of eligible tenure or park-use permits under stream three, to a maximum of $200,000.

  • Tourism businesses with tenures under the Land Act or permits under the Park Act, include businesses such as wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, mountaineering, horseback riding, off-road vehicle touring, whitewater rafting and heli-skiing; small destination resorts such as guest ranches or ecotourism lodges; campgrounds and outdoor recreation parks that offer activities such as waterslides and ziplines.

Application intake is open from Jan. 14 to Feb. 14, 2022. Eligibility criteria and application information can be found here.

Dine Out Vancouver Festival 20th Anniversary Lottery

On January 14, 2021, The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) announced an online lottery held in conjunction with the 2022 Dine Out Vancouver Festival.

The 13 luxury prizes feature top local food, wine, and accommodation, as well as events and entertainment.

Prizes will be drawn at 12pm, February 1st, 2022.

Proceeds from the lottery will support the BCHF’s charitable work, which includes providing financial assistance to hospitality workers in financial crisis due to extraordinary health conditions experienced by themselves or a family member, as well as administering a scholarship program to foster the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.

Partial proceeds of this lottery will be allocated to the BCHF Scholarship program and will be awarded to a student focused on tourism and hospitality.

The BCHF thanks the local businesses that generously donated the fantastic lottery prizes.

You can see a full detailed list of prizes and enter the lottery here.

Coquihalla Highway reopened to regular traffic

On Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) reopened to regular vehicle traffic between Hope and Merritt.

Reopening this highway poses a much more convenient route for people who need to travel between the Lower Mainland and the Interior and is another significant milestone in the province’s recovery from the devastating storms.

While Temporary repairs are still in place, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure plan to implement permanent repairs to the damaged sections. Meaning, with travel-pattern changes and reduced speed limits between Hope and Merritt, to take into account an extra 45 minutes of travel time.

Also on Wednesday, weight restrictions were lifted from Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet. However, drivers of large commercial vehicles are discouraged from using this route because of the challenging terrain.

Please note; Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon has partially reopened from Kanaka Bar south of Lytton to Spences Bridge. Drivers can expect delays on this section of Highway 1. However, Highway 1 between Kanaka Bar and Hope remains closed.

For the most updated highway information, visit: DriveBC.ca

Recent Media

Executive Director Jeff Guignard spoke to media several times this week about the impact of extending current public health orders, how liquor serving establishments that do not serve food can re-open, and the need for ongoing financial support for businesses ordered closed by Provincial Health Orders.

Ann Brydle