Cap on food delivery fees in Saskatchewan extended to Aug. 31

A temporary measure enacted by the Saskatchewan government in March is about to become a law.

The province is also bringing in legislation to expand who can provide home delivery of alcohol products.

Read more: COVID-19: Saskatchewan places 18% cap on third-party food delivery fees for restaurants

Saskatchewan capped fees charged by third-party food delivery companies at 18 per cent of the pre-tax order to help restaurants struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also capped service fees at 10 per cent if a customer used a third-party app to order food, but picked it up at a restaurant.

The emergency measure expires on April 30.

On Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Party government introduced legislation for those caps to remain in place from May 1 until at least Aug. 31.

Read more: Skip The Dishes adds $0.99 ‘B.C. Fee' after province caps what it can charge restaurants

Jim Bence, the president and CEO of Hospitality Saskatchewan, said he is pleased the cap is being extended.

“We have been working hard with the government on these measures that will greatly assist our industry in the critical weeks and months ahead,” he said in a statement.

Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted restaurants due to restrictions on in-person dining.

“With difficult times for hospitality businesses, this is one more support our government can extend to restaurants to help them through the pandemic,” Harrison said in a release.

“The sector has been especially challenged by the economic impacts of COVID-19, as restaurants normally relying on dine-in customers have had to pivot to orders for delivery and pickup.”

Read more: Saskatchewan NDP calls on province to place 15% cap on food delivery fees

The cap does not apply to delivery fees for grocery or convenience stores.

It applies to third-party delivery providers serving more than 50 restaurants across Saskatchewan.

Liquor delivery permit eligibility

The government also introduced legislation on Wednesday that would allow delivery companies that use independent contractors to obtain a permit to provide home delivery of alcohol products.

The change allows companies such as SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats and Doordash to obtain a home delivery permit.

Contractors making deliveries must be at least 19 years of age and have a valid server intervention certificate.

Deliveries can only be made to individuals who are at least 19 years of age.

“Takeout and delivery has become a popular option for many since the pandemic began,” Jim Reiter, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, said in a release.

“This change provides an additional opportunity for individuals and businesses who may be interested in providing home delivery of alcohol products.”

Businesses are required to ensure any companies they contract to carry out alcohol product deliveries have a valid home delivery permit.