As we eagerly await the upcoming Fall Economic Statement, we remain committed to advocating for our three key federal priorities.

November 18, 2024 Share on your social channels

Celebrating our industry’s successes.

It’s been a period of celebration, connection, and ongoing advocacy. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to attend various industry events and celebrations. These experiences allowed me to engage with operators, discuss industry growth and innovation, and continue to understand the challenges your businesses face. These connections are crucial for addressing your needs and concerns.

Advocacy focus.

As we eagerly await the upcoming Fall Economic Statement, we remain committed to advocating for our three key federal priorities, while also focusing on addressing the ongoing immigration challenges that are impacting the industry.

We are asking the federal government to:

Reduce EI payroll tax for workers and employers.
Invest in a training and matching program to connect the approximately one million unemployed newcomers holding open work permits with jobs in our industry, particularly outside major metropolitan centres.
Work with the foodservice industry on strategies to attract more Canadian workers, especially youth.

We continue to raise concerns around affordability, and our payroll taxes reduction campaign continues as we near the Fall Economic Statement. Please see my op-ed in iPolitics.

Our recent discussions have highlighted three key and recurring challenges:

Rising operational costs (including taxes and fees).
Reduced consumer spending as highlighted in our recent REACT survey.
Workforce issues.

The hospitality industry faces a significant threat from sweeping and ongoing immigration policy changes, which jeopardize both business operations and the career prospects of employees. These policies, driven more by political expediency than by sound economic strategy, have already impacted key areas of our workforce, including culinary and hospitality education. At one prominent hospitality college, where 1,700 international students are enrolled in hospitality and culinary programs, over 70 per cent of these graduates stay in Canada, filling vital roles within the sector and helping ensure a steady pipeline of expertise. Yet, with these new immigration constraints, the future of this vital workforce hangs in the balance.

The consequences of these decisions will be felt across both the economy and our industry. Addressing these challenges is a priority for our team, requiring ongoing advocacy and collaboration with key associations, including the Ontario Association of Colleges and Universities, Colleges and Institutes Canada, the Hotel Association of Canada and Tourism Association of Canada. We continue to advocate at the provincial and federal levels to address these critical issues.

In response to several recent issues our members are navigating, Restaurants Canada will be hosting a handful of resource-rich webinars. Learn more and register now:

Unlocking Cost Savings through Volume Pricing & Rebates | Nov 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM (EST)
With speakers from Groupex Canada

Immigration Cuts & What It Means for Canada’s Foodservice Industry | November 26, 2024 at 1 PM (EST)

With speakers from Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Saskatoon Immigration & Employment Consulting Services Inc.

Elevating and retaining talent.

I would like to remind you that applications are now open for the exciting lineup of live culinary competitions at RC Show 2025 in Toronto.

As leaders in foodservice, this is a prime opportunity to elevate key team members by encouraging them to step into the spotlight and showcase their talents on a national stage. Especially in today’s tight labour market, competitions like these are an invaluable way to invest in your people and demonstrate your commitment to their long-term development and growth. The experience of competition will help your top employees gain invaluable experience, broaden their networks and earn recognition for their skill and craft, and help you secure the loyalty of your core back of house team.

Get the full details here:

Garland Canada Culinary Competition, presented by Garland Canada and Restaurants Canada
Application deadline: November 29, 2024

Restaurants Canada Pizza Competition, presented by Restaurants Canada and Galbani Professionale
Application deadline: November 29, 2024

Breakfast Sandwich Competition
Application deadline: November 29, 2024

John Bil Oyster Shucking Competition, presented by Raspberry Point Oysters and Langley Foods

Restaurants Canada out and about.

On a similar occasion of recognition and elevation, Restaurants Canada was fortunate to participate in the annual Yes Shef! premier culinary event featuring British Columbia’s top women chefs, presented by the WORTH Association. We were proud to be an “Educate” sponsor partner this year and look forward to doing more with this incredible organization that focuses on advancing women in recreation, tourism and hospitality.

WORTH’s mission is to educate, elevate and empower women to drive meaningful change and build a community of confident, connected leaders. They offer low-cost or free networking, education, skills training, mentorship, and leadership resources to support women’s career growth.

We encourage our members to take advantage of WORTH’s valuable resources, including an upcoming webinar on the “Broken Rung.” This phenomenon, which affects many industries, including foodservice, refers to a critical “broken” step on the corporate ladder that prevents women from advancing beyond entry-level management into senior leadership roles:

Mentorship with Purpose: Empowering Growth Together

November 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM (EST) | LIVE ONLY SESSION, LIMITED SEATING

WORTH Association will be hosting Jillian Climie from The Thoughtful Co. for a live-only webinar. Jillian will be sharing powerful insights on how women in recreation, tourism and hospitality can fix the “broken rung” and level up their careers.

In this session, women will learn how to:

Build real, mutually beneficial connections
Set up a mentorship relationship that works for both sides
Leverage mentorship and sponsorship to move forward

Register now and join live for what’s sure to be an invaluable conversation!

One of the many recent highlights was attending the renowned Air Canada Best New Restaurants awards, where we celebrated exciting new restaurants from across Canada. Congratulations to all the winners! To support their continued growth, we’ll be offering each winner a complimentary one-year membership to Restaurants Canada.

Food for Thought is a regular series hosted by Menu Magazine contributor, hospitality industry executive recruiter and HR Consultant, Val Upfold. The guest speaker at last week’s event was mental health researcher, coach and corporate consultant Jocelyn Pepe of TrU Living. Jocelyn spoke about how leaders in hospitality can prepare themselves and their teams for our industry’s often busiest and most stressful time of year: the holidays. Jocelyn regularly works with leaders and their teams to understand the pillars of mental health and how best to optimize them for personal and business success. It was a wonderful discussion that was elevated with Chef Suman Ali serving up some of her incredible canapés and a selection of wines from Cru Wine Merchants.

I encourage you to check out TrU Living’s takeaway tips for checking in on your mental health during the holidays (and every day) here.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE

From Richard Alexander | Executive Vice-President, Government Relations & Public Affairs

Restaurants urged to prepare for upcoming impacts of immigration changes.

Our industry has been hit with three major changes to immigration that will have big impacts on our supply of labour: reductions in our ability to access temporary foreign workers, international students graduating from hospitality streams, and provincial nominee programs.

The impacts of these changes may not be fully realized in the next 18 months, but government is showing no signs, despite significant pressure from Restaurants Canada and our partners, of changing course. See below for alternative options to supply your labour requirements.

Restaurants Canada has been advising members to look into the Francophone Mobility Program and the free trade agreements with Peru and Columbia. Consult our Recruiting International Workers Toolkit here.

We are also encouraging members to look at the new Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) Advantage program:

Unlocking New Talent: The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) Advantage
Discover an innovative solution to Canada’s hospitality labour shortage. In partnership with TalentLift and FOCUS Humanitarian, the Ismaili community can bring you skilled, English-speaking newcomers ready to fill your labour gaps. With permanent residency and community support, these candidates are your key to success.

TalentLift is a non-profit international recruitment agency supporting Canadian employers in recruiting and relocating talent from within refugee populations as a solution to skills shortages in Canada and displacement worldwide. Supported by FOCUS and managed by TalentLift, there is no cost or administrative burden to the employer or the candidates.

Please click here for more information or get in touch with TalentLift here.

SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE

International: Upcoming negotiations for a Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution.

From November 25 to December 1, 2024, delegates from around the world will meet in South Korea for the fifth (and final) session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to negotiate a Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution.

Canadian delegates will be involved in negotiations on a range of topics including a potential cap on the production of plastic, guidance on extended producer responsibility/recycling, and reduction of production, import and export of certain plastics, including chemicals of concern. Given the potential impact to our industry, Restaurants Canada will be monitoring discussions and any final outcomes on behalf of our members.

Restaurants Canada: November Sustainability Committee meeting.

Earlier this month, Restaurants Canada hosted its monthly Sustainability Committee meeting with a guest presentation from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). In addition to sharing updates on ongoing consultations, ECCC reiterated their commitment to developing a roadmap to reduce plastic waste and pollution from the textiles/apparel sector in 2025. Restaurants Canada will continue to remain engaged given potential impacts to the foodservice sector (e.g., restaurant uniforms, textiles, etc.).

In addition, members had an opportunity to share sector-specific challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of reusable packaging which continues to be an area of interest for the federal government.

Note: Restaurants Canada’s VP of Sustainability is currently on maternity leave. We congratulate her on the birth of her new baby boy. Sustainability initiatives are being managed by the team at Clear Strategy. Contact Kelsey Meyer for any questions related to sustainability files.

FEDERAL UPDATE

From Maximilien Roy | Vice-President, Federal & Québec

Quebec: New tipping regulations effective May 7, 2025.

With the recent passage of Quebec’s Bill 72 on November 8, 2024, new tipping regulations will soon impact restaurants and businesses across the province. Starting May 7, 2025, tips must be calculated based on pre-tax prices, and payment terminal tip suggestions must be displayed in a neutral and “equally visible” manner.

For restaurants, these changes may lower credit card transaction fees, as fees are typically calculated on the total transaction amount, including tips.

Additional clarifications on these regulations are expected from the Quebec government in the coming months. We are monitoring these developments closely to ensure these new guidelines are straightforward and adaptable for the industry.

Strike ended at the Port of Montreal.

Restaurants Canada has advocated alongside other trade associations for federal intervention to swiftly end the labour dispute at the Port of Montreal. Our advocacy focused on the importance of immediate action to stabilize the flow of goods essential to the foodservice sector and the broader economy, particularly at a time when the cost of food has dramatically increased over a short period of time.

We are happy with the Government’s decision to end the strike and impose binding arbitration between the parties involved.

ATLANTIC & CENTRAL CANADA UPDATE

From Kris Barnier | Vice President, Central Canada and the North

Nova Scotia: Upcoming election.

With a Nova Scotia election scheduled on November 26^th, all parties are primarily focused on affordability. Restaurants Canada will send members a summary of promises made by each of the parties ahead of the elections, including promises impacting personal and business tax, labour policy and competition with grocery stores.

In the meantime, we want to flag two significant policy proposals made by parties and advise you that we are engaging with the parties to share our concerns.

The Liberals have promised to “remove the HST from all food sold in grocery stores,” and the NDP says they would “remove the HST from essentials like groceries.” We have called on both parties to make clear that any tax breaks given to grocers would be extended to restaurants to ensure grocers are not handed a taxpayer-funded competitive advantage on items like rotisserie chickens.

The PCs have promised to increase minimum wage to $16.50 by late 2025. We have noted this represents a significant increase to the minimum wage that would hit our industry harder than other comparable industries and we are seeking commitments for offsetting measures to help restaurants and bars.

To learn more about various party platforms and their candidates, please visit:
PC Party of Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia Liberal Party; Nova Scotia NDP; Green Party of Nova Scotia

New Brunswick: Outreach to new government underway.

We have written to the new Premier and key members of her cabinet to extend our congratulations on their election victory and to outline key industry priorities and challenges we hope to tackle with the new government.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Province to enhance the delivery of policing services.

The province has committed $20M to enhance public safety and supports for policing. Please see here for more.

Ontario: Restaurants Canada encouraging expanded alcohol discounts for restaurants and bars.

Restaurants Canada is actively lobbying the province to expand discount pricing on LCBO purchases made by restaurants and bars. We are also consulting with member committees on the development of top election asks we will make of the parties ahead of the next provincial election.

Manitoba: Advocacy on labour, crime prevention and alcohol discounts continue.

Restaurants Canada and MRFA continue to work together to advance our priorities on labour supply, crime prevention, and discount pricing on alcohol purchases made by restaurants and bars. We have meetings scheduled with various ministers, including Justice Minister Matt Wiebe and his staff. I will be in Manitoba in late November for additional meetings with government and other key stakeholders.

We note and welcome that the Manitoba government continues to make announcements regarding its efforts to combat crime, including recently announced funding targeting Winnipeg.

As shared with you recently, the Mayor of Winnipeg has floated various ideas to help the city raise money, including initiatives like taxes on alcohol and home delivery that could directly impact your business. That is why Restaurants Canada and MRFA have written to the Mayor, Winnipeg Council, and to Premier Kinew as well as numerous members of his cabinet to express our deep opposition and to make clear that Manitoba restaurants and bars cannot afford more taxes and fees heaped on by governments.

WESTERN UPDATE

From Mark von Schellwitz | Vice-President, Western Canada

B.C. and Saskatchewan: Incumbent governments re-elected with slim majorities.

Voters in British Columbia and Saskatchewan have spoken, delivering slim majorities to the incumbent governments in both provinces, despite a noticeable shift in voter sentiment toward change.

Both the Saskatchewan Party in Saskatchewan and the NDP in B.C., while victorious, are left with far fewer governing-party MLAs and far more opposition MLAs including many rookie MLAs elected for the first time. Both premiers were humble in their election victory speeches, acknowledging they need to do more to address the concerns of voters who voted against them as they both lost several incumbent MLAs.

For the week that followed the October 19^th election, the outcome for British Columbians remained unclear as the initial results after election night had the NDP with 46 seats, the Conservatives with 45 seats, and the Green Party at two seats, while several ridings that were too close to call waited for absentee and mail-in ballot counts to determine the winner. Once counted between October 24^th and 26^th, those mail-in and absentee ballots heavily favoured the NDP, which impacted the final election results giving the incumbent NDP an additional seat for a razor thin, 47-seat majority. This left the B.C. Conservatives with 44 seats and the Green Party with two seats (pending a couple of judicial recounts). With just a one-seat majority and the need to still elect an MLA as Speaker, it will be a difficult challenge for the newly elected government to get legislation passed and maintain the confidence of the Legislature.

In Saskatchewan, the October 28^th election result was not quite as close as B.C. The Saskatchewan Party was declared the winner on election night with a majority of 35 seats versus 26 for the NDP with two ridings still too close to call awaiting mail-in and absentee ballots to be counted. However, no matter what the final result is in those two ridings, it will not impact the Saskatchewan Party winning its fifth straight majority government.

Restaurants Canada congratulated both BC Premier Eby and Saskatchewan Premier Moe on their election victories and looks forward to working with both re-elected governments on hospitality industry priorities once their new cabinets are sworn in in the coming weeks.

Working together for a strong, unified and fair future for Canadian foodservice,