Province says it will review Skip The Dishes’ ‘B.C. Fee’
Posted February 4, 2021 7:34 pm.
Last Updated February 4, 2021 9:14 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The B.C. government says it plans to figure out if Skip The Dishes has the legal right to tack on an extra charge just for deliveries in this province.
This week, the company added a 99-cent “B.C. Fee” to each order it delivers, saying it intends to do this until the province lifts its current cap of 15 per cent on what it can charge restaurants.
“The Solicitor General’s office is going to have to review this,” Economic Recovery and Innovation Minister Ravi Kahlon said.
He describes Skip The Dishes’ move as “extremely disappointing,” saying the government brought in the cap to ensure restaurants won’t be exploited.
“The purpose of this order was to ensure that our restaurants wouldn’t be exploited during this pandemic,” Kahlon said, noting people are ordering online as a way to help keep themselves and the community safe.
Related: Skip third-party delivery services to better support restaurants, says industry rep
“We know these companies are making huge profits right now. For them to do this, at this time is, I think, in really bad faith,” he said.
Adding to the reaction, Premier John Horgan says it’s “ridiculous” that the company is charging another fee, saying British Columbians see just how unfair this is.
We capped the outrageous fees third-party apps were gouging struggling restaurants with.
When people are trying to stay home and stay safe while eating local, charging another fee on top of delivery is ridiculous.
British Columbians see just how unfair that is. https://t.co/FQcolCGDoI
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) February 4, 2021
The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association is also among those openly questioning the move by Skip The Dishes, calling it “tone deaf.” The president of the association has said these kinds of actions can sometimes make customers revolt.
