Even though the provincial government has significantly cut food for restaurants since March in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders are still announcing aid measures that should put some balm.
The Legault government has announced in recent days that it wants to allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages by a third party company such as Uber Eats or DoorDash. Until now, only the delivery service operated by the restaurant owner could do this.
In the same bill tabled last Wednesday, restaurateurs will finally be able to offer a different price for bottles of wine than those displayed on the dining room menu.
For the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), this reform was eagerly awaited by restaurateurs who are trying somehow to get through the second wave.
“These changes will be important for restaurants which are hit hard by the current crisis and in particular by the restrictions imposed on their sector. The planned measures, allowing among other things the delivery of alcohol, will offer an additional avenue so that restaurateurs can better serve their customers and can get through this troubled period. The CFIB hopes that these provisions will be adopted and implemented quickly, ”commented François Vincent, vice-president for Quebec at CFIB.
On another note, Quebec announced a few days earlier financial compensation to companies holding an alcohol permit for consumption on site.
The aid granted will directly reduce the annual fee bill for operating the permit by an amount equivalent to four months.
Finally, at the local level, Quebec City announced the elimination of 90 paid parking spaces to convert them into free temporary parking reserved for customers coming to pick up their order at the restaurant!
This initiative will give a boost to downtown restaurateurs. Remember that the region is located in the red zone. Reserved parking spaces will be reserved for as long as the Quebec City region is considered a red zone.
Over the next few weeks, other spaces may also be added.