Government has temporarily deferred renewal fees for those liquor licensees experiencing financial hardship due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the significant challenges that some in the liquor industry are facing due to COVID-19, the general manager of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch has authorized the temporary extension for liquor licences expiring between March 31 and June 30, 2020, to ease the financial burden of upcoming renewal fees. As government focuses on those businesses that have been most affected by the provincial health officer’s orders, this extension will be applicable to most liquor licences, with the exceptions of licensee retail stores, special wine stores and wine stores with wine on shelf in grocery stores.

This temporary extension to current licences is not a licence renewal. Extended licences must still be renewed prior to their new expiry dates. Renewal fees will be deferred until Sept. 30, 2020, and will continue to be calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation (LCLR) and, if applicable, s.204 of the LCLR. 

Eligible licensees whose licences fall within the time period noted above, and who find themselves in financial need, may ask for support by emailing a request to: LCRB_COVID19@gov.bc.ca

Licensees who can renew their licence and pay the associated renewal fees in accordance with their current expiry date are encouraged to do so, so those most directly impacted can benefit.

As this is an evolving situation, government will review this temporary provision as the public health crisis progresses.

Learn More:

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter

For provincial health officer orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.