VICTORIA — SkipTheDishes has introduced a new fee on orders made through its platform in B.C. in response to the province’s temporary cap on the fees third-party delivery services charge restaurants, which went into effect on December 22.
The company is now charging a temporary ‘B.C. Fee’ of $0.99 on orders in the province.
B.C.-based users of the platform were informed of the change through a message that reads: “The Province of British Columbia has temporarily capped the fees that Skip can charge local restaurants. To continue to provide you with the food you love from your favourite restaurants while providing earning opportunities for independently contracted couriers, you will now see a charge added to all orders in B.C. until the order is lifted.”
The B.C. government has officially condemned the new consumer-facing fee, indicating that it is seeking legal advice regarding further action to address the surcharge.
“When people are trying to stay home and stay safe while eating local, charging another fee on top of delivery is ridiculous,” Premier John Horgan stated on twitter.
The province’s cap on these fees will remain in place until three months after the provincial state of emergency ends.
