The Province has extended the streamlined process allowing food primary, liquor primary and manufacturer licensees to obtain Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) authorization for an additional year. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) will be contacting affected local governments to confirm their support prior to granting extensions to licensees.
As part of this temporary process, local government have the option to further expedite TESA authorizations by pre-approving all eligible licensees seeking to expand their service areas. Since May 2020, 72 local governments have used this provision. Others that continue to operate under the default process will still be able to review and approve requests on an individual basis prior to licensees submitting their applications to the LCRB.
Licensees are still not able to increase their approved occupancy loads, and must comply with all local government bylaws, as well as health and fire regulations. Those who have already received TESA authorization will not be required to submit a new application to the LCRB or affected local government.
Current TESA authorizations are set to expire on October 31, 2020. Following initial contact from the LCRB, affected local governments will have until October 16, 2020 to outline their position, including any concerns. If a local government is supportive or does not respond by this date, TESA authorizations within its jurisdiction will be renewed until October 31, 2021.