Restaurant Start-Up

The following information guide is intended to provide a better understanding of the license, permit and registration requirements for starting a restaurant in the Yukon. The extent to which the information will apply to you will depend on the circumstances related to your situation. Although many of your questions will be answered in this document, the list is of resources given here is not exhaustive.

This info-guide should be read in conjunction with our Business Start-Up Info-Guide, which provides additional licence, permit and registration information that is applicable to all types of new businesses.

Restaurant entrepreneurs should also read the document Starting a Restaurant, which outlines a series of possible steps and issues to consider when starting up a restaurant business.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Health Regulations
2. Food ServiceTraining Programs
3. Advertising and Labelling of Food
4. Liquor Licence
5. Smoking Regulations
6. Music License
7. Start-Up Resources

1. Health Regulations

Food safety in restaurants is principally a territorial responsibility, but there are pieces of municipal, territorial, and federal legislations all governing food service. Below are several key health regulations, permits, guidelines and training courses that entrepreneurs should be aware of if they are planning on opening a restaurant in the Yukon.

Public Health and Safety Act - Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services)

In the Yukon all restaurants must comply with the Public Health and Safety Act and the Eating and Drinking Places Regulations.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the above documents, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391.

Food Safety Code of Practice for Canada's Foodservice Industry - Canadian Restaurant and Foods Services Association (CFRA)

The Food Safety Code of Practice is used as the standard guideline by the Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services) for food premises operators in the Yukon. It provides the what's, why's, and how's of food safety for foodservice operators. The Code of Practice provides guidance on what is required in the planning, construction, purchasing, daily operations and training in a food service operation. It explains why these things are important to food safety management, and it describes how these requirements can be practically met. Designed as an interpretive guide to the model Food Retail and Foodservice Regulation and Code and provincial/territorial regulations across Canada, its use of colour, graphics and pictures as well as its easy-to-understand language, makes it an invaluable, user-friendly guide. Although use of the Code of Practice is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that restaurant owners follow these guidelines.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408 local 8391.

To purchase a copy of the Food Safety Code of Practice, call 1-800-387-5647 or visit the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association Web site http://www.crfa.ca/catalogue/

Water Supply, Sewage Disposal and Garbage Disposal For Yukon Rural Communities - Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services)

It is mandatory for restaurant owners in rural communities without municipal services, to have their potable water supply, sewage disposal and garbage disposal systems approved by Environmental Health Services.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391.

Application for a Permit to Operate a Food Premises - Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services)

All food service providers in Yukon must complete and submit an Application for a Permit To Operate a Food Premises. Along with the restaurant menu, the application must include a floor plan for all new premises, renovated premises and for premises for which a floor plan of the current operation has not been supplied.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391 or visit their Web site at http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/prog/eh/index.html to download a copy of the application and definitions.

Health Inspections - Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services)

In Yukon, food service and restaurant inspection are carried out by Environmental Health Officers.  In order to begin business operations an Environmental Health Officer must provide written approval, which means that a permit to operate has been or will be issued.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In-Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391 or visit their Web site at http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/prog/eh/index.html

Health Assessment Checklist for Restaurants - Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services)

The Government of Yukon (Health Services Branch) has developed a checklist for restaurant owners to assist them in determining if their restaurant meets mandatory and recommended health standards.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391 or visit their Web site at http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/prog/eh/index.html

National Building Code Standards - Government of Canada (National Research Council of Canada)

Drains, plumbing fixtures and washroom facilities must meet the National Building Code Standards; be in good repair; and are operating as intended.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391 or visit the Web site http://www.nationalcodes.ca/nbc/index_e.shtml for a listing of national standards.

2. Food Service Training Programs

Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

Hazard Analysis Critical Points (HACCP) is a self-inspection system that will help your ensure the safety and high quality of your food in your restaurant operation.  Use of an approved HACCP system is recommended but not mandatory. HACCP training courses can be arranged through Environmental Health Services.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391.

FOODSAFE

FOODSAFE is a successful training program for students, workers, supervisors, and operators in food services. The Level 1 certification course emphasizes the top ten improper practices that cause foodborne illness plus the top six job hazards in food preparation and serving. Level 2 covers pest control, sanitary practices, and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System. Although not mandatory, restaurant owners and their staff are encouraged to participate in FOODSAFE training courses. Public courses are offered through Yukon Public Health and Safety, Yukon Tourism Education Council and Yukon College Community Campuses. Restaurant owners can also host their own courses.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 8391 or visit the FOODSAFE Website at http://www.foodsafe.ca/

3. Advertising and Labelling of Food

Restaurants and the food service industry must comply with Section 5 of the federal Food and Drug Act, and other federal legislation which impacts on the advertising and labelling of food.

For more information, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Web site at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/guide/toce.shtml

4. Liquor License

All businesses must obtain a liquor license from the Yukon Liquor Corporation if planning to serve alcohol. Requirements vary depending on the type of license sought.

For more information, please call the Yukon Liquor Corporation at (867) 667-5245 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408 local 5245.

5. Smoking Regulations

In some municipalities smoking regulations are established and enforced by municipal authorities. To ensure that your new business is complying with current smoking regulations, entrepreneurs should contact the municipal office in the jurisdiction where their restaurant will be located.

For a listing of municipal offices in the Yukon, see the document Business Start-Up Info-Guide.

6. Music License

Generally, if you use music for the public's appreciation in your restaurant, you need a license from the Society of Composers Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).

For more information, please call 1-800-557-6226 or visit the SOCAN Website at http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/music_users/do_you_need_licence.jsp

7. Start-Up Resources

Books

Start and Run a Restaurant Business by Brian Cooper, Brian Floody and Gina McNeill (First Edition). Published by Self-Counsel Press.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

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