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CEO Notes

Essential updates on national and regional industry news, strategic priorities, and advocacy efforts from Kelly Higginson, Restaurants Canada President & CEO. 

CEO Notes

The LGBTQ2S+ community is an integral part of Canada’s foodservice sector.

The LGBTQ2S+ community is an integral part of Canada’s foodservice sector. This industry serves as a significant employer for LGBTQ2S+ Canadians, providing first jobs, pathways to entrepreneurial ventures, and long-term careers in food and beverage. According to 2021 data from…

CEO Notes

As summer nears and legislatures conclude their spring sessions, it’s a pivotal time for advocacy work.

As summer nears and legislatures conclude their spring sessions, it’s a pivotal time for advocacy work. The RC Government Relations team is actively seizing this moment, increasing efforts to grow awareness, deepen relationships and garner support for the Canadian foodservice…

CEO Notes

Mental Health Week begins today, with the theme: “healing with compassion” and a call to be kind.

Mental Health Week begins today, with the theme: “healing with compassion” and a call to be kind. Reflecting on the past four years, it’s apparent that our industry has been through incredible challenges. As we welcome May, restaurateurs are at…

CEO Notes

Off to Ottawa to celebrate tourism and discuss the needs of our often-symbiotic industries and the Federal Budget.  

Following an exhilarating three days at RC Show 2024, it was on to Ottawa to celebrate tourism and discuss the needs of our often-symbiotic industries, followed by a rapid transition to the Federal Budget.   Now in its 14th year, National…

CEO Notes

Restaurants Canada officially kicked off its 80th anniversary celebrations at RC Show 2024

Restaurants Canada officially kicked off its 80th anniversary celebrations at RC Show 2024, and this year’s theme, “LEVEL UP,” couldn’t have been timelier. We live in an era where innovation is not just a buzzword but a necessity. The past…

CEO Notes

It’s show time!

It is that time of year again when we get to be a part of bringing the industry together—and what a force this industry is! Our powerful sector has evolved dramatically over the years:   While things have been busy…

CEO Notes

We are urging the government to bring back the Destination Employment Program

As highlighted in our members update late last week, Ministers Miller and Boissonnault made changes to temporary resident levels which reduces the maximum percentage of restaurant operators’ workforce through the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) for low-wage positions from 30…

CEO Notes

A BIG win for our industry; Federal government caps alcohol excise tax at 2%!

A BIG win for our industry; Federal government caps alcohol excise tax at 2%! I was grateful to receive a call from Minister of Small Business, Rechie Valdez on Saturday morning informing me about the decision by the Federal government to maintain the…