BC introduces new laws to help caterers
Posted May 2, 2012 7:07 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – Positive reaction from our province’s restaurant industry following a move to simplify the rules surrounding catered events.
Under the current rules, anyone hosting an event has to get a special permit and take an alcohol serving course before they’re given a licence. The new legislation means catering companies can now get the liquor licence for their clients.
“This allows restaurants and bars to do off-sight catering with liquor service as well. It’s a very positive step forward as far as modernizing out liquor regulation,” believes Mark von Schellwitz, Vice President Western Canada, Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association.
He says these new rules will cut red tape and make the system more streamlined. “Before you would have said ‘yes, we can organize the food, the tents, the whole nine yards, but you have to get a special occasion licence and you have to look after the alcohol.’ Of course, the clients don’t want that, the clients want full service.”
The changes will now bring BC’s laws in line with every other province.
“We have been asking for these changes for some time and certainly our catering members have been asking for it for awhile,” notes von Schellwitz. “We’re very happy it’s finally taking place.”
He adds the changes won’t just benefit his industry. “This will be a positive news story as well for our tourism industry and for people coming and doing events in British Columbia.”
