GST Campaign Kicks Off, Ottawa Engaged, Advocacy Ramps Up
And we’re off!
It’s been a dynamic and impactful few weeks as we officially launched our GST campaign, returned to Ottawa with Parliament back in session, and ramped up efforts on our priority initiatives—including workforce and immigration advocacy, ongoing trade and tariff issues, and pushing for the permanent removal of GST from all food.
Our Back to Ottawa campaign has been in full swing. We welcomed MPs with a well-received walking dining map of the Parliamentary area and ensured they were reminded of our sector’s value by delivering our Back to Parliament booklet. We also delivered a Riding Impact Poster to the MPs of the top 100 foodservice ridings—now proudly displayed in their offices. We were excited to hand deliver the poster to MP Tony Baldinelli, Shadow Minister for Tourism.
In the past two weeks, Executive Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Richard Alexander and I have hit the ground running. We had a number of meetings and attended major events including the Canada 2020 Conference, the Pearson Centre Laureate Dinner, and the Hotel Association Conference, which gave us an opportunity to connect with a number of MPs and senior government officials, including but not limited to:
- Minister Gregor Robertson (Housing and Infrastructure)
- Minister Julie Dabrusin (Environment and Climate Change)
- Minister Rechie Valdez (Women and Gender Equality, Small Business and Tourism)
- MP Yasir Naqvi (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade)
- MP Matt Jeneroux (Conservative Critic for Supply Chains serves on house of Commons International Trade Committee)
- MP Simon-Pierre Savard (Bloc Critic for International Trade)
- MP Tony Baldinelli (Shadow Minister for Tourism)
- Senator Peter Harder – Served 29 years in the federal public service, 16 as Deputy Minister, leading key departments such as Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Industry, Public Security, and the Treasury Board.
Discussions focused on the foodservice sector’s economic impact; ongoing tariff and trade related issues; advocating for the inclusion of goods used in food preparation in the remissions process, as detailed in Richard Alexander’s latest update; how the GST holiday supported job creation and sales; and how the removal of GST on all food can help address affordability concerns for Canadians. Please see an in-depth update on our campaign in Richard’s update.
Workforce and immigration challenges were also highlighted as we engaged in ongoing, in-depth discussions with Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on recent immigration and foreign worker policy changes particularly for rural and remote areas. These conversations are critical to finding sustainable, long-term solutions for foodservice operators.
Announcing One Table, Restaurants Canada’s signature dinner for industry leaders
Join us on September 16, 2025 at The Warehouse Venue (35 Carl Hall Road #2, North York, Toronto, Ontario) for One Table — Restaurants Canada’s new, signature dinner for industry leaders and changemakers. This isn’t a typical awards gala. It’s an exclusive gathering to celebrate success, unlock the latest industry insights, and collaborate on the most urgent questions and breakthrough opportunities shaping the future of foodservice and hospitality.
Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence
No one understands the grit, creativity and leadership it takes to move hospitality forward better than those living it every day. As an industry insider, your perspective is powerful—help us celebrate the peers and pioneers who are truly raising the bar. Nominate outstanding leaders and help us honour excellence across our industry. Nominations are open until July 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM (EDT).
The winners will be announced at Restaurants Canada’s One Table.
Our latest survey: Help shape the future of the restaurant industry
Our latest survey is now live, and we need your responses to better understand the realities restaurant operators are facing, especially on profitability, operating costs, crime and technology. The information you provide will directly inform our advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of the restaurant industry at all levels of government.
The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete, so please take a moment to help us advocate for you. The survey will remain open until Wednesday, June 25th.
Get your Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit (CRILS) tickets now: Preferred rates for Restaurants Canada members
The Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit (CRILS) is heading into its 15th year in Toronto on Thursday November 13th, 2025. The CRILS Summit has always been a vibrant gathering of thought leaders, all dedicated to sharing knowledge, insights, and the latest trends shaping the hospitality industry. Restaurants Canada is proud to partner with CRILS and would love for you to join us with a preferred rate of $379. To learn more and to secure your preferred rate by July 15th, 2025, please visit CRILS Summit 2025.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE
From Richard Alexander | Executive Vice-President, Government Relations & Public Affairs
How the trade war is increasing costs for restaurants and what we are doing about it
As expected, we are beginning to see significant inflationary pressure on the supply chains for foodservice in Canada. Since the start of the tariff war with the US, food inflation has spiked following a steady decline since the start of 2023. Between January and April 2025, restaurant menu prices have already risen by 3.2%—outpacing the overall inflation rate of 2.1%.
Restaurants Canada is concerned and is doing everything we can to protect the interests of the industry. We have been active on this file since December and will continue to do so until the dispute is resolved. While we have had some success in getting the Canadian Government to exempt key items that are impossible to source from other producers, the cost of food continues to rise.
For the last two weeks, Kelly Higginson and I have been in Ottawa, lobbying to have the automatic remission order extended to products used by our industry. The automatic remission order is an exemption from tariffs to allow the importer of record more time to source products from non-US suppliers. We have engaged key officials at the Department of Finance, Global Affairs Canada, members of the House of Commons International Trade Committee, and key Senators involved in this matter.
We believe there may be an opportunity to have the remission order expanded. In partnership with our Tariff Working Group, we are developing an economic impact assessment of the effects of our exclusion from the automatic remission order. Once completed, this document will form the basis of further advocacy in Ottawa.
Please note that any success on this issue applies only to importers of record, but the removal of the tariffs on certain products should result in lower costs for restaurants.
We continue to push hard to mitigate the impacts of this tariff war on behalf of our industry.
Our GST/HST campaign is gaining momentum
In the three weeks that our Food is Food campaign has been active, more than 2,000 Canadians have already signed our petition calling on the government to exempt all food from sales taxes! We have also been very active in the media, raising the campaign’s profile and driving Canadians to the petition.
All of this is having an impact in Ottawa. The message has been very well-received so far in our meetings with politicians. Now that the House of Commons has risen for the summer, we will be seeking meetings with the MPs of the top 100 foodservice ridings at their home offices and delivering the signed petitions.
To be successful, we need to keep the momentum going. Our early results prove that Canadians are on-board with our message, so the louder we shout it and the further we share it, the better! Please visit foodisfood.ca to sign the petition, download our shareable graphics and post it on your social media channels to help us reach our signatures goal.
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE
From Jillian Rodak | Vice President, Sustainability
City of Toronto Long-Term Waste Management Strategy Consultation
The City of Toronto is currently consulting on updating its Long-Term Waste Management Strategy for 2026-2036. The strategy aims to advance the City’s zero-waste vision, with proposed actions to address commercial waste, food waste, reuse, single-use and takeaway items, consumer education, and recycling.
Restaurants Canada is participating in the consultation and attended the association workshop on June 12 to provide initial feedback. We will also be submitting written feedback to share our members’ perspectives and recommendations. The City’s consultation period for this phase ends June 29. The next phase will focus on gathering feedback on the proposed Waste Strategy Update.
Quebec Beverage Deposit Program Update
Restaurants Canada met with the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) and Consignaction, the organizations managing Quebec’s beverage deposit program, to seek clarification on new regulatory obligations that took effect in March. Restaurants in Quebec with a seating capacity of 20 or more are now required to provide a separate bin for beverage container collection and need to register with Consignaction to manage this obligation.
During the meeting, we raised our industry’s concerns about operational and storage challenges, and we will remain actively engaged as QBCRA and Consignaction work to identify solutions. We will continue to keep members informed.
QUEBEC UPDATE
Mise à jour sur le programme de consigne des contenants de boissons au Québec
Restaurants Canada a rencontré l’Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons (AQRCB) et Consignaction, les organismes responsables de la gestion du programme de consigne au Québec, afin d’obtenir des précisions sur les nouvelles obligations réglementaires entrées en vigueur en mars.
Les restaurants du Québec ayant une capacité d’accueil de 20 places ou plus doivent désormais fournir un bac distinct pour la collecte des contenants de boissons et s’enregistrer auprès de Consignaction pour répondre à cette obligation.
Lors de la rencontre, nous avons soulevé les préoccupations de l’industrie concernant les défis liés aux opérations et au stockage. Nous continuerons de collaborer activement avec l’AQRCB et Consignaction alors qu’ils travaillent à identifier des solutions.
Nous tiendrons nos membres informés des développements.
ATLANTIC UPDATE
From Janick Cormier | Vice-President, Atlantic Canada
New Brunswick
Last week, the government of New Brunswick announced that they reached an agreement with the federal government to increase their Provincial Nominee Program allowance by 1,500 in exchange for accommodating 400 asylum seekers. Unfortunately, they plan on keeping all 1,500 spots for their three priority sectors (education, health and construction). This is incredibly frustrating for our members who rely on foreign workers to operate their businesses.
I will continue to raise this issue in the media and with elected officials. That said, if you are impacted by this decision, I encourage you to contact your local MLA to highlight how it will impact your restaurant and the local economy.
Nova Scotia
The government of Nova Scotia has launched consultations on the way alcohol is sold and consumed. Crestview Strategy will hold consultation sessions with different industry groups on behalf of the government—consultations with the foodservice industry will be held on June 30th. There will be a morning in-person session in downtown Halifax (location is still TBD) and an online virtual session in the afternoon.
Please let me know if you’re interested in participating and we’ll add you to the invitation list!
CENTRAL CANADA UPDATE
From Kris Barnier | Vice President, Central Canada and the North
Focus on Crime and Public Safety
Across Ontario and Manitoba, many members have made clear that public safety is a serious and growing concern that impacts your businesses, patrons, and employees.
- In Manitoba – We successfully lobbied for a $10M business security rebate program, and we’re highly engaged with the government as it develops program specifics. It remains our objective to ensure the program is responsive to our industry and is fair and accessible to both small businesses and businesses operating with multiple locations.
- In Ontario – We met with the Premier’s Office and several key minister’s offices to share our concerns about public safety, including crime and issues tied to visitors struggling with mental health, addiction and other challenges. We are building relationships with other organizations who share our concerns and will continue to press for additional actions and measures to help ensure the safety of your business, employees, and guests.
Our ask of you, our members: If there is something that your business is doing or has done that you think could be replicated to help others stay safe, please reach out to me and share your stories and advice. This could include training that you’ve implemented, investments in physical security, and/or partnerships you’ve developed with policing and/or other community partners. We want to learn from your successes and pass them along to other members.
Manitoba Government Announces Tax Deferrals for Businesses Impacted by Wildfires
Businesses affected by wildfires in Manitoba are eligible for relief of their provincially administered tax payments. Businesses can request a penalty and interest waiver when they are reasonably able to file and pay their retail sales tax, health and post-secondary education tax levy, and other provincially administered tax returns once the impacts of the wildfires have subsided. This option is being provided as many wildfire-affected businesses may not have access to relevant records, technical resources or the capacity to file at this time, noted the minister. For more information click here.
Manitoba Invests in Summer Safety Action Plan
The Manitoba government is providing $500,000 to the Downtown Community Safety Partnership to implement an action plan that will enhance safety and community well-being in downtown Winnipeg throughout the summer. See more here.
Ontario: EPR, Blue Box Program
The Ontario government has launched two consultations pertaining to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Blue Box program.
The Government has stated that “the proposed changes aim to ensure that Ontario’s blue box program remains affordable and sustainable for both residents and producers, through measures that could help curb future costs and maintain current services, while supporting the regulation’s intended outcomes of reducing and diverting waste.”
- You can find the amendments to the Blue Box Regulation here. This consultation is scheduled to close on July 4, 2025.
- Amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 can be found here. This is scheduled to close on July 21, 2025.
We believe the Government of Ontario has heard our industry, and other industries like ours, and understands two things:
- That our industry is struggling to protect jobs and locations and that operators have little to no capacity to absorb additional cost; and
- That there remains a longer-term opportunity to ensure the Ontario Blue Box recycling program is fair, affordable, and impactful.
Restaurants Canada is in the process of building its response to the consultation.
With gratitude,
Kelly Higginson
