New dashboard unlocked: Bite-Sized Weekly Restaurant Trends
As we enter the busiest time of year for our industry, I want to take a moment to remind you that Restaurants Canada is here to support you and your teams. Our advocacy work on issues like access to labour, affordability, trade and more often takes centre stage, but there is so much more you get for your membership.
Research
Our research team has been incredibly busy all year, developing new intelligence tools to help you benchmark and succeed. They recently launched a members-only dashboard called Bite-Sized Weekly Restaurant Trends, using data from Moneris.
This interactive dashboard provides a detailed year-over-year comparison of restaurant sales data across different segments, including full-service and quick-service restaurants. You can filter the data by region and explore key performance indicators such as same-store sales, number of transactions and average transaction size.
In addition, the October REACT survey is out. Check it out for the latest on dining trends.
Webinars
There is still time to register for our upcoming webinar with The Re-Seasoning Coalition, Newcomers, Youth and the Next Generation – Re-Seasoning the Future of Foodservice Teams. The webinar will be live on November 25 at 2 pm ET, and a recording will be shared with all registrants.
We have also partnered with BetterStreet to offer a specialized Street-Certified: Hospitality training webinar to support the unfortunate but real need for de-escalation training. This can be accessed on demand and is designed to help hospitality teams recognize, respond to, and safely de-escalate challenging interactions.
Members-only town halls
It was a pleasure to connect with members across the country last week at our virtual town halls. Attendees heard about our latest research insight, federal and regional advocacy and our sustainability initiatives.
Connecting the foodservice industry
The fall 2025 issue of MENU Magazine has been released. This issue features impactful conversations with the winners of our 2025 Awards of Excellence, including a special feature with Cora Tsouflidou, founder of Cora Breakfast and Lunch and winner of our Legacy Award.
We are also very excited about the next phase of dish., our content series empowering the women leaders and emerging talent fueling the foodservice industry. You can now subscribe to the dish. newsletter and join the dish. Network group on LinkedIn.
Out and about
I was thrilled to attend this year’s Yes Shef event in Vancouver, B.C.; one of my personal favorites. Restaurants Canada was proud to sponsor, and it was wonderful to see so many of our members supporting the evening. Connecting with everyone at the reception was truly an added bonus!
I’m also incredibly excited to announce that Restaurants Canada is partnering with Yes Shef to bring it east: Yes Shef Greater Toronto Area — Presented in Partnership with the Restaurants Canada Show.
Yes Shef, a signature event by the WORTH Association, pairs established female chefs with student apprentices to co-create dishes turning a dining experience into a mentorship and empowerment platform. Beyond showcasing culinary talent, it addresses gender disparities in hospitality leadership, raising funds for scholarships, mentorships, and programs that support the next generation of women in the industry.
In short, Yes Shef is more than a dinner, it’s a movement creating opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and inspire in hospitality.
It was also an honour to take part in the CEO panel at the 15th anniversary of the Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit (CRILS) last week.
The CRILS Summit has long been a dynamic gathering of thought leaders committed to sharing insights and spotlighting trends shaping the hospitality sector. The Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit’s CEO Panel brings together top leaders from across the country to discuss the industry’s evolution.
Finally, it was back to Ottawa to take part in this year’s Tourism Congress. I was thrilled to join this year’s CEO panel, Tourism Builds Canada. Restaurants play a vital role in the tourism industry and are a significant driver of economic growth and opportunity across the country. I had the opportunity to highlight both our impact and the need for smart economic policies to support the growth and trade diversification Canada urgently needs.
FEDERAL UPDATE
From Matt Triemstra | Vice-President, Federal Affairs
Federal Budget
Budget 2025 has now been passed by Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Despite a very narrow margin of victory (170-168 votes), it was clear that no party wanted a Christmas federal election and this guarantees there won’t be one. It’s important to note that this latest vote simply affirmed that the House approved the budgetary policy of the government in general. and now the Government has tabled Bill C-15, the Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1, which will enable and legislate certain provisions from the Budget. Restaurants Canada will continue our advocacy around items announced in the Budget and we have upcoming meetings with the Deputy Minister of Small Business and political staff in the Office of the Minister of Jobs and Families to advance your interests.
Foodservice Facts 2025
Our latest issue of Foodservice Facts has now been mailed to 200 Members of Parliament! As you know, Foodservice Facts is Canada’s most trusted foodservice industry research and insights guide and we felt it was important to share it with Members of Parliament directly. We identified the top 200 ridings by total revenue for all foodservice establishments and are actively working with those MPs to share information and to turn them into champions of the restaurants industry.
Job Bank Wages Update
Each year, the Job Bank website publishes an update of median wages by occupation and by economic region for all of Canada under the Labour Market Information tab. The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program relies on these wages to ensure that employers applying for TFWs are offering wages representative of current labour market conditions.
The latest annual wage update was published on Job Bank on November 19, 2025. The new wage rates take effect on the day of publication. Prior to submitting a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to the TFW Program, employers should consult Job Bank for the updated median wages. A reminder that employers are required to review and update the wages of temporary foreign workers at the beginning of the worker’s period of employment, as well as annually, no later than January 1st, to ensure that the wage is not lower than the prevailing wage for the occupation and region where they are employed.
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE
From Jillian Rodak | Vice-President, Sustainability
New Brunswick
Last week, RC represented the foodservice sector in a consultation workshop on New Brunswick’s proposed organic waste diversion program. We spoke to several of the potential barriers and opportunities that could face the sector, including collection costs, space and operational constraints, as well as measuring and tracking toward the province’s organic waste landfill disposal cap target. We will be developing a written submission to the province to ensure our voice is heard and would welcome your input. Please reach out to jrodak@restaurantscanada.org to chat further.
City of Edmonton
The City of Edmonton has launched Phase 2 of an engagement process for the development of its ICI Waste Roadmap, a four-year plan which will outline actions to reduce commercial waste. Following this phase, the City will be submitting a report of recommended actions to City Council for consideration in Spring 2026. The City is proposing a bylaw that would require businesses in Edmonton to separate their recycling and food scraps from garbage.
Restaurants Canada met with the City last week to discuss the potential impacts of this bylaw on our members.
The City has also opened a survey (available until January 30) and has scheduled virtual workshops for various stakeholders to provide input on proposed actions. Registration for the workshop sessions can be found here.
City of Toronto
The City of Toronto has completed and published its Circular Economy Roadmap and a 3-Year Implementation Plan for it. As a reminder, the Circular Economy Roadmap is one of the City’s key initiatives on circularity and waste (alongside the Single-Use Bylaw and the Long-term Waste Strategy). The Roadmap is intended to be a whole-of-city strategy across sectors and city departments to improve circularity.
Relevant areas of the roadmap include:
- Prioritizing the food systems and waste sectors,
- Reducing municipal barriers to circularity; and
- Aligning across federal/provincial governments and establishing consistency
The strategy will be going to City Council this month for consideration, and we will be monitoring for further announcements.
QUEBEC UPDATE
From Marie-Pier Richard | Vice-President, Quebec
Mise à jour économique à surveiller mardi prochain
Le gouvernement du Québec et son ministre des Finances, Éric Girard procèdera à une mise à jour économique et budgétaire mardi prochain 25 novembre. Nous serons à l’affut des mesures qui serons présentées qui pourraient être bénéfiques pour notre industrie.
Nos discussions avec le gouvernement sont à l’effet que l’on y retrouverait des mesures pour soutenir autant les entreprises que les citoyens et rapportent un soulagement pour le portefeuille des citoyens, mais on écarte une baisse ou un crédit d’impôt, ou encore une aide financière directe (sous la forme d’un chèque, par exemple).
Le déficit du gouvernement serait revu à la baisse à la suite de certaines compressions budgétaires.
Economic Update to Watch Next Tuesday
The Government of Quebec and its Minister of Finance, Éric Girard, will deliver an economic and budget update Tuesday, November 25. We will be watching closely for any measures that could benefit our industry.
Our discussions with the government indicate that the update should include measures to support both businesses and citizens and provide some relief for citizens’ wallets, but it will not include a tax cut, a tax credit, or direct financial assistance (such as a cheque, for example).
The government’s deficit is expected to be revised downward following certain budget cuts.
ATLANTIC CANADA UPDATE
From Janick Cormier | Vice-President, Atlantic Canada
Good morning from Ottawa!
I will be here for the next few weeks meeting with elected officials and the public service and working closely with our VP-Federal Affairs, Matt Triemstra. The goal is to advocate for our industry but also educate and continue to build and maintain relationships with MPs and Senators from all parties.
I’ve already met with some senior staff in the Carney government and a senior public servant at the CRA. I will continue to push our messaging on immigration, GST/HST on food and the economic and social impacts of our industry in the coming weeks.
I look forward to sharing more of what I’ve been up to in the coming weeks.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Following tight election results, the Liberals asked for a recount in three different ridings. The Supreme Court Judge, Justice Faour, overseeing this matter has concluded that one recount, for Topsail-Paradise, was warranted, the results of which have yet to be announced. If the Liberals are successful and win the riding, Premier Wakeham’s majority Conservative government will become a minority government.
I’ll update you on the results as soon as we have them!
CENTRAL CANADA UPDATE
From Kris Barnier | Vice-President, Central Canada and the North
Ontario Alcohol Changes
As reported last week, intensive Restaurants Canada advocacy has led the LCBO to postpone planned pricing and service changes until at least April 1, 2026. Although the temporary 15% licensee discount will drop back to 10% on January 1, our efforts prevented a pricing model shift that suppliers said would significantly raise costs for licensees and consumers. We also ensured LCBO deliveries and pick-up orders will continue through December, giving us more time to push for improved pricing.
Last week, Kelly and several Board members asked the Premier to extend the 15% discount until a new pricing model is implemented. We also raised this with the Finance Minister, who noted complications but expressed interest in meeting to discuss better LCBO pricing for restaurants and bars. Restaurants Canada is working to schedule this meeting.
Public Safety
We continue to engage with the Ontario Solicitor General on crime and public safety issues affecting our sector, including impacts on employee and patron safety and on business costs. The minister remains receptive, and we expect to share further updates soon.
Buy Ontario Legislation
Ontario has introduced legislation prioritizing Ontario goods and services in provincial and municipal procurement. Because government entities such as schools, hospitals, and community centres purchase food and food services, we’ve asked for clarity on how this will affect our sector. We will share details as they become available.
Manitoba Pre-Budget Submission
Work continues on our joint pre-budget submission with MRFA. We expect to share the document soon, which will guide our lobbying priorities in Manitoba.
WESTERN CANADA UPDATE
From Mark von Schellwitz | Vice-President, Western Canada
BC releases “Look West” Jobs Plan
On Monday November 17th the BC Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth announced the government’s long term jobs strategy. The Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada jobs strategy document lays out a 10-year vision to strengthen the BC and Canadian economies and grow key economic sectors. The strategy hopes to attract $200 billion in private sector investment in major projects in the next decade and double skilled trades training funding by 2028-29.
While Restaurants Canada is disappointed that the strategy does not include the hospitality industry as a targeted growth sector, tourism is included. The strategy outlines some broad tourism initiatives to leverage global exposure from FIFA World Cup ‘26 and launch six new regional travel routes but is short on specific details.
New Employment Standards Rules on Sick Notes Announced
On November 12th BC’s Minister of labour announced that effective immediately under new employment standards regulations, employers can no longer ask for sick notes for a worker’s first two health related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year. This is in addition to the October 20th introduction of Bill 30 – Employment Standards (serious Illness or injury leave) Amendment Act which, if passed, will provide employees with 27 weeks of unpaid sick leave. Specifically, employers cannot request sick notes from their employees:
- Written by any healthcare professional designated under the Health Professions Act when:
- The employee’s health-related absence is for five consecutive days or fewer;
- It is the employee’s first or second short-term health related absence of the calendar year; and
- The absence is due to the employee’s health, or that of an immediate family member.
The Regulation also clarifies that employers may still request medical documentation for workplace accommodations and fitness to work assessments even if it pertains to an absence of five consecutive days or fewer.
Restaurants Canada is disappointed that the regulatory change was made effective immediately without providing any advance notice to employers to help them prepare for the sick note policy. More detailed information on the new policy can be found here.
Post BCGEU Strike BC Liquor Distribution Update
Restaurants Canada continues to meet regularly with the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) and the Liquor Cannabis Regulatory Branch (LCRB) on LDB’s liquor distribution restart plan. We are pleased to report that in week three of the restart plan, LDB cleared the backlog within vendor support services, is maintaining timely customer deliveries and is now operating at normal service levels. On November 12th LDB sent the following hospitality customer update memo to Restaurants Canada and other associations with more details. We are grateful to LDB for their restart plan which has dealt with the order backlog and returned to normal liquor distribution operations quicker than anticipated.
On November 13th 89% of BCGEU members ratified the labour agreement with the province. Restaurants Canada’s focus is now on advocating for liquor policy changes to ensure more liquor distribution flexibility in the future including accessing liquor products from private retailers and allowing direct delivery from 3rd party warehouses. BTAP liquor stakeholders once again met with Agriculture Minister Popham (responsible for liquor) on LDB’s restart plan. Restaurants Canada encouraged the Minister to quickly implement liquor policy changes to improve the current distribution system and ensure hospitality licensee can still access liquor products during future labour disruptions. The Minister agreed and a BTAP meeting with the Minister will be scheduled in December focusing on liquor distribution policy changes.
Canada – Alberta Productivity Grant Webinars
Further to the announcement of the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) earlier this year, Industry Workforce Partnerships (IWP) has partnered with the CAPG team to promote their grant program to industry partners and are inviting Restaurants Canada members to participate in upcoming CAPG webinars. For members that have not yet registered for a webinar but are interested in understanding and participating in the program, there is a November 26th webinar still available:
Session: Employer-Focused Session – Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG)
Attendees will learn:
- Employer and trainee eligibility
- Examples of productivity-focused training
- Step-by-step guidance on registration and application
- Funding details and payment process
Webinar Date: Tuesday, November 26 at 1:30pm – REGISTRATION LINK
Food Safety and Licensed /Facility Based Child Care Review
The Government of Alberta is seeking Restaurants Canada’s input to inform decisions related to the implementation of the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel’s recommendations. Specifically, the government is asking us to provide written input on two potential policy initiatives to improve food safety. Members are encouraged to provide Restaurants Canada with any feedback on the proposed policy initiatives included in the Review Panel’s recommendations by Monday, December 1, 2025.
Restaurants Canada has also been invited to participate in a virtual small group meeting following our written submission with a couple of members intended to build on the written feedback received, explore strategies, and discuss our interest in future engagement opportunities related to implementation of the Review Panel’s recommendations. Please let us know if you are interested in joining Restaurants Canada for a small virtual follow up meeting by December 1st.
Alberta Ad Valorem Wine Markup Update
Restaurants Canada continues to advocate for changes to the ad valorem liquor markups announced in Alberta’s 2025 budget which add an additional 5% markup on wines from $15/litre to $20/litre, 10% on wines between $20/litre and $25/litre, and 15% to wines costing over $25/litre effective April 1st.
Restaurants Canada’s advocacy efforts brought together a coalition of other impacted associations on the issue including the Alberta Hospitality Association (AHA), the Import Vinters and Spirits Association (IVSA), Wine Growers Canada, and the Alberta Liquor Store Association (ALSA). The Coalition submitted the following August 5th joint stakeholder association letter to the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction re-iterating the need to discuss rescinding the ad valorem wine markup and replace it with a smaller flat tax mark up on all liquor products to meet the government’s liquor revenue needs.
Restaurants Canada was able to secure a joint association September 25th meeting with the Minister on the Ad Valorem Wine Markup issue. However, we were disappointed that the Minister did not attend the meeting which included the Minister’s Chief of Staff and Service Alberta officials. We reiterated our arguments for changes to the markup policy from the various stakeholders at the meeting, but regrettably no potential markup policy change commitments were made. Restaurants Canada informed the Premier’s office of our disappointment with the meeting and lack of action to address our concerns.
On October 7th Restaurants Canada briefed NDP Caucus MLAs on the unfairness of the Ad Valorem Wine Markup issue and they committed to raise the issue in the legislature. Restaurants Canada also met with the Small Business Parliamentary Secretary MLA Tany Yao on November 21st reiterating our arguments and the negative impact the policy was having on small licensed restaurants’ wine costs and sales.
While the Alberta government is currently sticking to the Ad Valorem Wine Markup policy, Restaurants Canada will continue to pressure the government to amend the unfair policy.
With gratitude,
Kelly Higginson
