The B.C. government’s temporary authorization allowing liquor-primary and food-primary licensees to sell and deliver sealed, packaged liquor products alongside meals for off-site consumption is now permanent.
“The temporary change initially helped us generate sales through a new revenue stream, but making it permanent will give us continued relief from the financial hardship of the pandemic as we move into recovery,” said Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
Before the pandemic, restaurants and pubs were authorized to sell liquor only for consumption in their establishments unless they had a special endorsement on their licence.
The province said it temporarily authorized the change in March in response to emergency recommendations from the Business Technical Advisory Panel consisting of representatives from the liquor and hospitality industry. The authorization was extended three times before becoming permanent.
“Making this authorization permanent will provide approximately 8,000 businesses with long-term financial support and certainty and will aid in the hospitality industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general.
