Government of Sask. to temporarily cap food delivery fees

The Saskatchewangovernment saysit's going to cap food delivery charges in a move to support restaurants.

Delivery fees are to be capped at 18 per cent of a customer's pre-tax orderif the food deliver service provider completes the deliveryand 10 per cent if a customer picks up theirfood.

Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison said the restaurant sector in particular faced challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These caps will mean more money remains with small business and I encourage all Saskatchewan residents to continue to support their local restaurants," Harrison said in a prepared statement.

The cap on delivery fees will apply to providers that serve more than 50 restaurants across the province. The cap will be enforced by the minister's order under the Emergency Planning Act and is to be in effect starting Wednesdayuntil April 30, 2021.

The cap will be in place alongsideprevious support measures the provincial government introduced for restaurants, including the small business emergency payment.

Hospitality Saskatchewan president and CEO Jim Bence said the move was "terrific news" for the local restaurant industry.

"These are extremely difficult times for hospitality, especially in Regina right now, and [this] further demonstrates the government's unwavering commitment to our sector," Bence said in the government's release.