Correspondence: Supporting Businesses by Making Liquor Licensing More Flexible

Re: Supporting Businesses by Making Liquor Licensing More Flexible

At the Special Council meeting of 2020-May-11, the City of Nanaimo Mayor and Council, by way of motion, unanimously supported the City of North Vancouver - Mayor Linda Buchanan’s letter of May 8, 2020 regarding the request for flexibility with the liquor licensing regulations for businesses who are looking to expand their outdoor seating area as BC begins its COVID-19 Phase 2 restart plan with enhanced protocols.

Council’s motion reads as follows:

“It was moved and seconded that Council direct Mayor Krog to write a letter in support of the City of North Vancouver’s request to Honourable David Eby, Q.C. supporting businesses by making liquor licensing more flexible.”

The City of Nanaimo firmly believes if the province can provide pliancy, in these unprecedented times, to amend the current liquor licensing regulations community businesses will have a better chance of success.

Sincerely,

Leonard Krog MAYOR

cc:

• Mayor Linda Buchanan, City of North Vancouver, mayor@cnv.org
• All BC municipal governments
• MLA Sheila Malcolmson, sheila.malcolmson.mla@leg.bc.ca
• MLA Doug Routley, douglas.routley.mla@leg.bc.ca
• Michelle Stilwell, michelle.stilwell.mla@leg.bc.ca
• Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, ceo@nanaimochamber.bc.ca

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May 8, 2020

Hon. David Eby Room 232 Parliament Buildings 501 Belleville St. Victoria, BC V8V 1X4

Dear Minister Eby:

RE: Supporting Businesses by Making Liquor Licensing More Flexible

As Mayor of the City of North Vancouver I want to start by thanking you for the work you have done to serve British Columbians.

I appreciate how quickly your government has responded to the needs of people and businesses. This pandemic has highlighted, among other things, the agility and speed of our public service when they are needed urgently.

It is with that same urgency I ask you to consider examining how we can increase flexibility in outdoor seating and liquor licensing in support of our businesses.

I have been hosting business round tables to learn about the unique needs of our business sectors. From these conversations I have learned of a few actions that could be taken immediately to ensure restaurants, pubs, and breweries can be resilient businesses as we begin to re-open gradually.

As you are aware, the current liquor licensing regulations for pubs, breweries and restaurants requires only permanent changes when adding potential capacity such as increased outdoor patio space.

Our City is in the process of revising our outdoor dining process to allow these businesses to expand their patio areas on a temporary basis as we begin BC’s restart plan. This will assist these businesses to be able to serve customers on their premises while meeting safe distancing requirements.

My understanding is that the current provincial licensing requirements will not permit temporary changes, therefore I am concerned this will negatively impact these businesses and discourage many from being able to open up to serve the public on their premises.

Changing this model to allow greater flexibility could be the difference in countless businesses being able to keep their doors open and expanding their service from their current significantly reduced levels.

We have seen new challenges like never before, and your government has acted swiftly to deliver results. I urge you to consider what I have detailed to you in this letter. We now know changes can happen quickly when they are needed, and these changes are needed immediately to support our food and liquor industry.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information. I thank you in advance for your consideration.

Yours Truly,

Linda Buchanan Mayor of the City of North Vancouver

c.c.

• All B.C. municipal governments
• Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale
• BC Restaurant & Food Services Association
• Alliance of Beverage Licensees
• BC Craft Brewer’s Guild
• North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
• Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Association