Sale and delivery of packaged liquor made permanent in B.C.

The change made last year to allow liquor and food-primary businesses to sell and deliver sealed liquor products, along with a meal for off-site consumption, has been made permanent by the B.C. government.

Public Safety minister Mike Farnworth said the move will provide about 8,000 businesses with long-term financial support, and help the hospitality industry recovery from the pandemic.

Before Covid-19, food and liquor primary licensees, like restaurants and pubs, could only sell liquor for consumption in their establishments unless they had a special licence.

Existing safeguards for safe delivery, such as identity verification, continue to be in place. Individuals who deliver liquor products on behalf of licensees are required to be certified with Serving It Right.

This is the second temporary authorization government has made permanent. In February 2021, government announced restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences were able to purchase beer, wine and spirits at wholesale prices permanently.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve had to make huge adjustments to our businesses, shifting to a takeout and delivery-focused business model to ensure we could continue to operate under the provincial health officer’s guidelines,” Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, said. “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.”