Restaurants Canada applauds Conservative commitment to roll back alcohol excise tax

Restaurants Canada is extremely pleased by the Conservative Party of Canada’s commitment to roll back the alcohol excise tax to 2017 levels and eliminate the automatic annual increase. This has been a long-time Restaurants Canada ask and would save restaurants more than $40 million in the first year.

“Our industry is still reeling from decreased consumer confidence, the affordability crisis and the rising cost of doing business,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “This measure, if enacted, would provide much-needed relief, protect our workers and help us navigate the current economic challenges posed by U.S. tariffs.”

Restaurants are the fourth largest private sector employer in Canada, with 1.2 million workers, and contribute nearly $120 billion to the economy. For every $1 million in sales, restaurants generate a $1.8 million output in the broader economy and 17.6 jobs, compared to $1.56 million and 7.4 jobs for all industries.

“It’s great to see our sector get recognition in the election campaign,” added Richard Alexander, Executive Vice-President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at Restaurants Canada. “An investment in foodservice translates to an investment in every community we serve, in Canadian jobs, and in the tens of industries we support, such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism.”

Restaurants Canada calls on all federal parties to include commitments to provide further support for Canadians in their platforms, most importantly, exempting all food from GST/HST. Recent polling from spark*insights showed that 84% of Canadians agree that food should not be taxed at all. Food will only get more expensive as the tariff war escalates. Now is the time to provide Canadians relief on this necessity of life.

Media Contact:

Milena Stanoeva, Restaurants Canada | media@restaurantscanada.org | 647-921-1758

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a nearly $120 billion industry employing 1.2 million Canadians and is the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada.