Deepening our industry’s advocacy on food security.
National Food Security Strategy
I met recently in Ottawa with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence Hanson, building on a meeting in April with Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is an important federal point of engagement for our sector given that the foodservice industry is the biggest purchaser of Canadian agriculture products.
The Deputy Minister invited Restaurants Canada to provide input into the federal government’s National Food Security Strategy. Announced by the Prime Minister, the objective of the Strategy is to tackle the root causes of food insecurity, strengthen domestic food production, and improve access to affordable, nutritious food.
This is a significant opportunity to advance the restaurant industry’s advocacy on food costs and related issues, and to affirm our industry’s influence in Canada’s agricultural sector. Our submission to the federal government will focus on a number of issues including, cost drivers, domestic production capacity, supply chain barriers, and food loss and waste.
Luncheon with the Minister of Finance
I participated in an Empire Club of Canada luncheon featuring a keynote address by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Finance. I had a conversation with the Minister, previewing for him our federal pre-budget submission, highlighting the need to create a better investment climate for restaurants nationwide.
I also took the opportunity to thank the Minister for the federal government’s recent decision in the Spring Economic Update to lower the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contribution deduction rate. As Canada’s fourth-largest private sector employer, our labour-intensive industry has long advocated for reductions in payroll taxes. As a reminder, this CPP reduction will save a typical 25-employee restaurant roughly $1,200 annually, amounting to $53 million across the industry.
Launching our Youth Engagement Toolkit
With the summer hiring season underway, we are happy to announce the launch of our Youth Engagement Toolkit: Belong Here – A Toolkit for Attracting and Keeping Youth exclusively available to Restaurants Canada members. The toolkit is designed to help you continue to reach, train and retain the next generation of foodservice workers, with advice from hiring experts and customizable tools. We want to thank our partners at First Work for helping us develop the toolkit and Uber Eats for their support.
For more information and to download the toolkit, click here.
Restaurants Canada’s One Table and 2026 Awards of Excellence
Restaurants Canada is proud to announce the return of One Table! Join us in Toronto on September 29, at 5:30 PM ET at The Warehouse.
One Table is an exclusive gathering to champion the industry, celebrate success, uncover the latest industry insights and data, and collaborate on the most pressing challenges and opportunities ahead. Guests will be among the first to celebrate our 2026 Awards of Excellence winners.
The evening also marks the exclusive unveiling of Foodservice Facts 2026, offering guests first access to the industry’s most influential research report, alongside a live breakdown from Restaurants Canada’s Chief Economist.
Restaurants Canada members receive access to exclusive discounted pricing on both individual tickets and tables for One Table 2026. Use access code RCMEMBER26 on the ticket selection page.
Interested in investing in influence through sponsorship and partnership opportunities at One Table? Connect with our Sponsorship Team at sponsorship@restaurantscanada.org.
If you haven’t already, we invite you to recognize the innovators, leaders and changemakers in your community whose impact deserves to be celebrated and amplified by nominating them for the Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence. Nomination Deadline: June 26, 2026, at 11:59PM ET
Patio By Numbers: What the Data Says About Summer Dining
With patios reopening and filling up across many regions, Restaurants Canada invites you to our webinar on May 26 at 2 pm ET, Patio By Numbers: What the Data Says About Summer Dining. The webinar is presented by Square, featuring a special guest from The Fifteen Group.
Patio season brings major opportunities — along with added operational complexity. Join us for actionable insights and data-driven strategies to help you navigate the season ahead and make the most of increased summer traffic.
Members-Only Virtual Town Halls
Join Restaurants Canada’s upcoming Virtual Town Halls, presented in partnership with Gordon Food Service, for timely insights, meaningful discussion, and direct engagement on the issues impacting our sector.
These interactive sessions give members the opportunity to ask questions in real time, share perspectives, and walk away with practical takeaways. Our Chief Economist, Chris Elliott, will provide an outlook on the current foodservice economic climate, drawing from insights in our newly released Quarterly Report, which is available exclusively through the member portal. Our Government Relations team will provide updates on Restaurants Canada’s advocacy work across the country, the latest developments in the federal and provincial political landscape and what they mean for our sector.
Register for your Region’s Town Hall:
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia– Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM PT/11 AM – 12 PM MT/12 PM – 1 PM CT
Manitoba and Ontario – Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM CT/11 AM – 12 PM ET
Atlantic Canada–Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 11 AM – 12 PM AT/11:30 AM – 12:30 PM NT
FEDERAL UPDATE
From Matt Triemstra | Vice-President, Federal Affairs
Building Champions in Ottawa
We continue our work in Ottawa to build political champions for the restaurant industry among federal decision-makers, meeting with Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior political staff and departmental officials. We also delivered Restaurants Canada’s latest Quarterly Report to all Parliamentarians, to ensurethat all MPs and Senators understand the economic pressures facing our industry. As you know, the report highlights the important economic contributions made by restaurants across Canada and how rising operating costs and shifting consumer habits are posing significant challenges to operators. We are finalizing our pre-Budget submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee, prepared with input from members through our Federal Government Relations Committee. The submission includes a range of recommendations which will help our industry thrive, including, an accelerated capital cost allowance to help operators upgrade equipment and improve productivity, and a permanent GST exemption on all food, including restaurant meals.
Red Seal Cooks and Bakers –”Team Canada Strong”
The federal government has included cooks and bakers among the Red Seal trades supported by the $6 billion “Team Canada Strong” initiative announced in the Spring Economic Update. This program aims to recruit and train up to 100,000 workers over five years, addressing labour shortages through funded apprenticeships, modern training, and financial supports like a $400 weekly training top-up. As members know, Restaurants Canada launched our Workforce Campaign earlier this year as part of our advocacy to address the labour challenges facing our industry, including in the skilled trades. This announcement by the federal government, with the inclusion of cooks and bakers, is a direct response to our efforts.
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE
From Jillian Rodak | Vice-President, Sustainability
Extended Producer Responsibility: Meeting with Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks
Last week, Restaurants Canada met with senior staff of the Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks to reinforce the challenges caused by EPR on restaurant operators. Our team emphasized the stark cost increase of 353% over the last five years and urged the Ontario Government to assess cost relief measures for producers. The Minister’s staff assured us that this issue is a top priority, and we will continue to engage with MECP and the Ontario government more broadly to seek meaningful action on EPR.
CENTRAL CANADA UPDATE
From Kris Barnier | Vice-President, Central Canada and the North
Manitoba PST on Prepared Foods: The Fight for Fairness
On May 7, the Government of Manitoba introduced legislation to implement its Budget announcement to exempt prepared foods sold in grocery and convenience stores from PST, while continuing to apply the tax to the same products sold by restaurants. This remains a fundamentally unfair approach that places restaurants at a structural disadvantage. Restaurants Canada has been actively pushing back, making it clear that we cannot support a policy that disadvantages restaurants relative to their competitors. We have met with the Minister of Finance and had repeated discussions with the Minister’s and Premier’s Chiefs of Staff. We have also engaged in media interviews, had an op-ed published in the Winnipeg Free Press and we have written to all Manitoba MLAs.
You can help by contacting the Premier, Minister of Finance, and your MLA — please see our recent member update for details.
WCB Manitoba Announces Surplus Distribution Equal to 35% of 2025 Premiums
Last week, the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba announced that it has approved a $90 million surplus distribution to eligible employers through credits applied to 2026 premiums. Eligible employers reportedly received a credit equal to 35% of their 2025 actual premium. In previous years, employers received distributions of up to 50%, supported by significant WCB Manitoba surpluses. This year, the Board opted for a lower distribution, citing ongoing global economic uncertainty.
We have asked WCB Manitoba for greater insights into their current surplus distribution decision relative to past years. We are making the case that returning more surplus funds at time of increasing operating costs will support restaurant operators’ economic activity including as major job creators in the province.
Ontario: Requiring Employers to Cover Uniform and Laundering Costs
The Ontario government recently introduced Bill 105, the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026, which proposes prohibiting employers from requiring employees to pay for uniforms and related costs, including laundering.
Restaurants Canada has written to both the Premier and the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, urging the government to exempt restaurants from the proposed legislation. We have also provided a submission to the legislative committee reviewing the bill. We have raised concerns that the legislation was introduced with insufficient consultation and without adequate consideration of the impact on our industry. We continue to forcefully communicate our concerns directly to both the Minister’s Office and the Premier’s Office and we will keep members informed of progress on our advocacy.
Ontario Alcohol
We remain in regular contact with both the LCBO and the government about pricing concerns and challenges that members have reported following the introduction of the LCBO’s new pricing regime and customer service practices on April 1. We encourage members to continue sharing concerns related to product procurement, pricing—particularly fine wines—and any impacts on operations or profitability. We will use your input to inform our continued advocacy on your behalf.
We also continue to press Premier Ford and the government to fulfill their commitment to ensure The Beer Store treats restaurant businesses fairly on pricing.
Ontario: Temporary Foreign Workers
Ontario remains one of the few provinces that has not indicated whether it will accept the federal government’s proposal to temporarily expand the Temporary Foreign Worker cap in rural communities. Restaurants Canada recently spoke with Ontario’s immigration minister and urged the government to opt in to the federal increase. The minister indicated the proposal remains under consideration and noted the province is also exploring additional measures to help address labour shortages in rural and remote communities.
Ontario: FIFA World Cup 2026 Industry Briefing – Hosted by Destination Toronto (May 28)
Destination Toronto is hosting a virtual industry briefing on May 28 regarding preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The session will provide a high-level overview of Toronto’s Host City plans, including transportation, safety, and citywide operations. It will also outline participation opportunities, available tools and resources, and key information to help businesses and communities prepare. To learn more or register, visit: Destination Toronto FIFA World Cup Industry Briefing
WESTERN CANADA UPDATE
From Cheryl Maitland Muir | Vice-President, Western Canada
British Columbia: Ready-to-drink beverages
As of May 7, B.C. is allowing eligible local liquor manufacturers to direct-deliver packaged refreshment beverages (e.g., cider, RTDs) to licensee customers instead of using LDB distribution, giving restaurants more sourcing flexibility. This welcome change reflects Restaurants Canada’s ongoing advocacy for a more flexible and resilient liquor distribution system.
Restaurants should expect some changes to ordering processes, as suppliers moving to direct delivery will provide their own ordering and logistics details, and products can only be distributed through one channel (either LDB or direct, not both). For full details, click here.
British Columbia: Meeting with Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lan Popham
Last week, Restaurants Canada met with B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lana Popham, to share insights from our latest Quarterly Report and discuss key challenges facing restaurateurs, including rising costs, labour shortages, and increasing operational complexity, all coming at a time when consumers are pulling back on spending. The Minister was receptive to these concerns, and we look forward to continuing to work together on smart provincial policies to support the industry which is a key economic driver in the province.
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards
Congratulations to the winners of the 37th Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, including Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, and its Executive Chef Roger Ma, who was named Chef of the Year. Restaurants Canada was proud to support this event, which showcased the region’s vibrant dining scene.
Alberta: Bill 26: Alberta Immigration Oversight Act
The Alberta Immigration Oversight Act has passed, paving the way for a registry for employers of temporary foreign workers, new licensing requirements for immigration consultants, and a system of prohibited practices, offences, and penalties. As Restaurants Canada stated when the bill was tabled, we are concerned about the added duplication and administrative burden this will create for restaurants already facing labour shortages. Later this month, Restaurants Canada will participate in stakeholder consultations on the Act’s implementation and will continue to advocate for a streamlined approach that recognizes the limited capacity of restaurants to manage additional administrative complexity, particularly in a tight labour market.
With gratitude,
Kelly Higginson
