Fees charged to B.C. restaurants by delivery services capped permanently
A cap on fees charged to B.C. restaurants by food-delivery companies will be made permanent as the province looks to support restaurant and bar owners facing challenges brought on by the pandemic and inflation.
The new legislation is being introduced ahead of the temporary cap’s expiry date of Dec. 31. The 20 per cent cap first came into effect in December 2020, when restaurants were growing reliant on delivery services due to the pandemic and were being charged fees as high as 30 per cent.
In a statement released Thursday, Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon explains the goal is to provide more certainty to the restaurant industry, as well as to delivery drivers.
“As the costs of food and labour rise worldwide, B.C. restaurants need to be supported to ensure prices are affordable and that delivery companies aren't charging unfair fees,” Kahlon says.
Ian Tostenson, the president of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) says this measure was nearly five months in the making, and believes it will benefit both restaurants and third-party delivery services.
“Basically, the cap has come off for food delivery services as well,” Toleston says, explaining this permanent measure doesn’t apply to things like advertising. “Now, restaurants have to be offered a 20 per cent option to access basic services, but (apps) can charge more for things like marketing and more online presence.”
Before COVID-19, Tostenson says food-delivery services accounted for about 13 per cent of sales, whereas in the thick of the pandemic, that number ballooned to 80 per cent.
“Today, more people are using delivery services to order food at home because now they can get liquor too, so it’s probably going to be 30 to 35 per cent of our sales,” says Tostenson. “That’s why cost certainly is important. The market has expanded and I don't think it will go away any time soon.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.