Mark your calendar, this is truly monumental.

January 20, 2025 Share on your social channels

I am thrilled to announce Restaurants Canada has partnered with High Liner Foods to bring Chef José Andrés to RC Show 2025 as our 80th-anniversary headliner.

This is monumental.

Chef José Andrés is a global icon of culinary and social impact leadership. Through World Central Kitchen (WCK), he has delivered millions of meals to communities in crisis, from hurricane-ravaged regions to war zones, showcasing the unparalleled power of hospitality to deliver comfort, humanity and connection. He has redefined the role of chefs and our industry, reminding us that what we do truly matters.

Upon receiving the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, Chef Andrés said: “Chefs like me feed the few, but our destiny is to feed the many. To be an army of goodness where a plate of food becomes a plate of hope…a light in dark times. Together, we can change the world through the power of food.”

Last year, I had the privilege of hearing Chef Andrés speak. It was an unforgettable experience. His passion, humanity and drive to use food as a force for change remind us that the foodservice industry goes far beyond serving meals. As the embodiment of this year’s RC Show theme—FUEL Your Potential, People, Prosperity, and Passion—his fireside chat at RC Show underscores Restaurants Canada and High Liner Foods’ shared commitment to help unite and empower Canada’s foodservice and hospitality community, inspiring us to innovate and lead with purpose.

The conversation with Chef José Andrés at RC Show 2025 will highlight the vital role restaurants play in building healthy, vibrant communities. As hubs of connection, creativity and economic growth, restaurants are the backbone of thriving neighbourhoods. Through the success of his vision and the example of his work, Chef José encourages us to embrace bold thinking, act with empathy, and channel our expertise into meaningful change.

We are so proud to bring this global icon and his important message to re-ignite the passion of our industry at a time when it matters so much. I hope to see you there.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Tickets for rush seating at Chef José Andrés’ fireside chat at RC Show 2025 will go on sale on Monday, January 27^th, and are limited. This is a closed-room event.

Ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.

As part of our commitment to protect the goods and services of the foodservice industry and ensure your voice is represented, Restaurants Canada has joined the Canada US Trade Council (CUSTC). The council includes over 50 representatives from a wide range of sectors (steel, aluminum, forest products, oil and gas, agri-food, dairy, chemistry, banking, mining), as well as broader industry groups such as the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers, Exporters and leading labour organizations along with trade and political experts including James Moore and Jean Charest. The group will convene regularly to share information and ideas for how best to approach the tariff discussions and the subsequent CUSMA review phase. During the first meeting Deputy Minister Forbes was present and fully engaged. We will continue to report on this emerging issue as things evolve.

WEBINAR: Save the Date

Managing the Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Foodservice – Part Two

Date: Tuesday, February 11^th
Time: 11:00 AM EST

As the U.S. transitions under a new administration, this webinar will provide an essential follow-up to our discussion on tariffs. Join us as we analyze the latest developments post-Trump inauguration and their implications for the Canadian foodservice industry.

Stay tuned for registration details.

If you haven’t had a chance to see part one, watch it here.

Friendly reminder about the upcoming webinar hosted by our partners at HR Tourism.
Losing Ground: The Definitive Workforce Update / En terrain glissant – État des lieux de la main-d’œuvre : la parole aux experts
Join Tourism HR Canada for a must-attend webinar on labour market trends impacting Canada’s tourism industry. This “state of the industry” session will explore workforce challenges like labour shortages, competitiveness and policy shifts. Gain insights into workforce projections, actionable recommendations, and programs designed to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of industry-wide collaboration.
Jan 22, 2025 | 1:00 PM EST | Register here.

The December REACT Survey Results Are Now Live

The latest results from the December REACT survey are now available on our website. This monthly survey, conducted with 1,500 Canadians, provides critical insights into restaurant purchasing trends by daypart and dining intentions. These timely data points are designed to help the foodservice industry respond effectively to shifting consumer behaviors.

In today’s challenging environment, having access to reliable research tools is essential for informed business planning. We encourage all Restaurants Canada members to leverage these valuable resources to stay ahead of industry trends and optimize your strategies.

Explore the full suite of research and data tools available exclusively to our members today.

Restaurants Canada in the news

Last Friday, we released new data showing that reservations and traffic at restaurants both saw a bump in the first month of the GST and HST holiday. OpenTable data shows an 18% increase in dining from December 14 to 27, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Restaurants Canada’s own REACT survey noted a 7-point increase to the Consumer Dining Index between December 2024 and December 2023, indicating that Canadians bought more snacks and meals on average at restaurants.

While these are early indicators and we expect more definitive data in the coming weeks, they are solid and encouraging signs that consumer demand for restaurant meals rebounded during the GST and HST holiday. Restaurants Canada will be pushing the government hard in the months ahead to make prepared food permanently exempt from sales tax.

Our new Atlantic VP on the road

Our new Atlantic VP, Janick Cormier, has already been busy speaking with the media and meeting with government on behalf of foodservice operators. Last week, she and Executive VP of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Richard Alexander, drove across the East coast, meeting with members and policy makers.

In Fredericton, they met with Mike Babineau at RustiCo to discuss labour shortages, the dramatic and thoughtless changes to immigration, and crime.

In Charlottetown, they met with Steve Murphy and Restaurants Canada Board member Kent Scales and discussed the benefits of the ongoing HST holiday. Labour continues to be an issue for operators on PEI in terms of difficulty finding staff, but payroll taxes are also having a negative effect on operators’ bottom line. They also touched on the perception of the industry as a temporary career path, with students looking for part-time work, while the number of people who make it their career continues to decline.

Janick was also vocal on the latest cuts to provincial immigration caps, which will hit the Atlantic industry hard. She did a number of media interviews on the topic, ensuring that the voice of the foodservice industry is heard.

We are thrilled to have Janick join our Government Relations team! She has hit the ground running and we know will make an impact for the Atlantic Canada foodservice industry.

While our industry still faces significant headwinds, Restaurants Canada is pleased with the progress we have been able to achieve and looks forward to delivering even more impact for the foodservice industry in the coming months.