News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
BC Extending TESA Authorizations to March 2023
The Province is now extending TESA authorizations further to March 31, 2023, to provide more time to make TESAs permanent. Restaurants, bars, and liquor manufacturers have more time to apply to make temporary service areas permanent as they recover from the pandemic.
Businesses are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible, as local governments and First Nations need to evaluate structures and outdoor licensed areas in consideration of their communities’ requirements before expanded service areas are made permanent by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).
The Province is now extending TESA authorizations further to March 31, 2023, to provide more time to make TESAs permanent. Restaurants, bars, and liquor manufacturers have more time to apply to make temporary service areas permanent as they recover from the pandemic.
Businesses are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible, as local governments and First Nations need to evaluate structures and outdoor licensed areas in consideration of their communities’ requirements before expanded service areas are made permanent by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).
Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) & Winery Sampling Areas
Wine Growers BC has been working with the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to mitigate challenges wineries are experiencing making Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESA) associated with their sampling areas permanent.
Accordingly, Policy Directive 22-01 was announced on Feb. 25 to clarify the options available and advise of recent policy changes which will provide greater flexibility within those options.
Policies that apply to picnic area endorsements have changed to provide additional flexibility in application requirements and their use, while also maintaining the public interest.
Manufacturers seeking to make TESAs associated with outdoor sampling areas permanent may choose one of the following options:
Apply for a lounge endorsement with a patio
Apply for a picnic area endorsement
The LCRB strongly recommends that manufacturers consider their needs and carefully review the policies below relating to lounge patios and picnic areas before deciding which application to submit.
Questions about the application process for a lounge or picnic area endorsement should be directed via email to LCRB.SLA@gov.bc.ca.
Wine Growers BC has been working with the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to mitigate challenges wineries are experiencing making Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESA) associated with their sampling areas permanent.
Accordingly, Policy Directive 22-01 was announced on Feb. 25 to clarify the options available and advise of recent policy changes which will provide greater flexibility within those options.
Policies that apply to picnic area endorsements have changed to provide additional flexibility in application requirements and their use, while also maintaining the public interest.
Manufacturers seeking to make TESAs associated with outdoor sampling areas permanent may choose one of the following options:
Apply for a lounge endorsement with a patio
Apply for a picnic area endorsement
The LCRB strongly recommends that manufacturers consider their needs and carefully review the policies below relating to lounge patios and picnic areas before deciding which application to submit.
Questions about the application process for a lounge or picnic area endorsement should be directed via email to LCRB.SLA@gov.bc.ca.