The latest trends and insights for your business.
This has been another productive month for the RC team and we are so excited to share our latest initiatives with you.
Read the Q4 Quarterly report
Earlier this month, we released our Q4 2025 Quarterly report, covering the latest trends and insights on the foodservice industry. In the latest issue, read about operators’ biggest operating challenges and expectations for 2026, how changes to immigration policy are impacting restaurants and our updated sales forecast heading into the new year.
The Quarterly is available exclusively to Restaurants Canada members through the Member Portal.
RC at the Future of Food Conference
It was a pleasure to represent the foodservice sector at Farm Credit Canada’s Future of Food conference in Ottawa celebrating 10 years of Canada’s Agriculture Day. FCC has secured $5B in investor commitments over the next four years to fuel innovation in farming and food. As buyers of over 50% of Canadian agricultural output, the restaurant sector welcomes this investment and looks forward to continuing to work with government to strengthen Canada’s food future — one in which restaurants play a vital role.
RC Show 2026
RC Show 2026, taking place March 8–10 at The International Centre in Mississauga, is coming up fast, and I’m pleased to remind you that your membership includes complimentary access.
Join thousands of operators, suppliers, and industry leaders for three days of insights, inspiration, and meaningful connection, meet the Restaurants Canada team at the RC Booth, stay ahead of emerging trends and technology, build strategic partnerships, and learn from leaders tackling the industry’s biggest challenges.
While you’re on site, be sure to stop by the Restaurants Canada booth (located at the entrance of Hall 5) between 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day to connect with our Government Relations team.
I encourage you to register, bring your team, plan your schedule, and make the most of everything RC Show has to offer—the connections you make and insights you gain can help shape your business for the year ahead.
RC Awards of Excellence
Restaurants Canada’s 2026 Awards of Excellence is launching earlier than ever to shine a brighter spotlight on the people moving our industry into the beyond.
This is your opportunity to recognize the innovators, leaders, and changemakers in your community whose impact deserves to be celebrated. Help us tell their stories and shape this year’s awards cohort by submitting your nominations.
Applications will close on Friday, June 26th at 11:59PM ET.
Award winners will be announced at One Table, Restaurants Canada’s signature annual dinner for industry leaders and changemakers. We invite you to save the date for an evening of connection, collaboration and celebration on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at The Warehouse Event Venue, North York, ON.
Restaurants Canada welcomes Maple Leaf Foods as a Corporate Partner
We’re excited to officially welcome Maple Leaf Foods to Restaurants Canada’s growing Corporate Partner community!
For more than 100 years, Maple Leaf Foods has made delicious, high-quality protein that Canadians love. Their history, drive, passion, and vision for the future sets them apart. As a carbon neutral food company, they are committed to Raising the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and sustainability efforts that protect our planet.
Great things happen when like-minded organizations come together. We look forward to working towards our goal of fueling the foodservice and hospitality industry in Canada.
FEDERAL UPDATE
From Matt Triemstra | Vice-President, Federal Affairs
Ottawa Meetings
Restaurants Canada President and CEO Kelly Higginson, Executive Vice-President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Anthony Polci and Vice-President, Federal Affairs Matt Triemstra attended the Future of Food Conference in Ottawa on Canada’s Agriculture Day 2026 and met with government officials, MPs and political staff.
The meetings focused on the labour needs of our industry. There is strong recognition that the foodservice sector was specifically hit hard by immigration cuts and commitments were made to continue an on-going dialogue. While in Ottawa, our advocacy team met with the following individuals:
- Assistant Deputy Minister, TFWP Branch (ESDC) Mike MacPhee
- Associate Deputy Minister (IRCC) Scott Harris
- Chief of Staff (Office of the Minister of Jobs and Families) Chelsea Kusnick
- MP Yasir Naqvi (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State for International Development)
RC Labour and Immigration Update
Labour shortages are putting real pressure on restaurants. A core priority for Restaurants Canada is advocating for an adequate supply of key labour positions rooted in changes to immigration policies that are data-driven, predictable, and responsive to sector-specific needs. This document provides a snapshot of what Restaurants Canada has been doing to advocate for the foodservice sector.
Janice Charette – Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the appointment of the Honourable Janice Charette as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States. In her role she will work closely with the Ambassador of Canada to the United States, Mark Wiseman, and will act as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister on the upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) trade review. As the government prepares for the CUSMA review, Restaurants Canada will continue to highlight key trade challenges facing the industry and advocate for measures that will preserve competitiveness and consumer choice, while strengthening food security for Canadians.
Enhanced GST Credit receives Royal Assent
The government’s enhanced GST credit to deal with food affordability, and new investments in Canada’s food production and supply chain infrastructure is a move in the right direction to address the real challenges that Canadians are facing with escalating food costs. The Government has indicated that after the one-time payment is made in the spring of 2026, eligible families and individuals will receive the enriched regular payments as of July 2026. Restaurants Canada is continuing advocacy focused on eliminating the GST on all food, including restaurant meals.
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE
From Jillian Rodak | Vice-President, Sustainability
Toronto’s Single-Use Takeaway Item strategy
Last week, Restaurants Canada met with the City of Toronto staff leading Toronto’s Single-Use and Takeaway Item Strategy to better understand the timing of the bylaw rollout and explore ways we can support foodservice through this process. The proposed strategy would expand the current single-use item bylaw to include accepting guests’ reusable food containers, requiring reusable dishware for dine-in operations, and at large venues. The staff report presentation to city council will now take place at the beginning of May 2026. The report is a feasibility analysis of options to expand the bylaw (it does not include recommendations at this stage). The city staff are eager to work with Restaurants Canada to continue learning about various ways we can reduce single-use items ending up in landfill. We will continue to stay engaged with the City on this issue.
Toronto’s Long-term Waste Management Strategy
The City of Toronto has launched consultations on Phase 3 of their Long-term Waste Management Strategy, considering proposed actions the City may take to reduce waste, increase diversion, and improve waste services. Key topics under consideration include commercial waste, food and organic waste, and reuse. As part of the consultation, the City has opened a public survey, which will be open until March 8 exploring potential actions related to reuse and food waste.
Sustainable Procurement fellowship
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility has opened applications for the 2026 Sustainable Procurement Fellowship, its national, virtual program supporting procurement and sustainability professionals in mid to large organizations in Canada to turn sustainability goals into practical procurement action. Restaurants Canada members receive a 15% discount on program fees. Learn more and apply by March 15, 2026: https://cbsr.ca/spf/
Upcoming Webinar: Reuse in Hospitality & Entertainment Foodservice
Learn more about this upcoming webinar and register here.
CENTRAL CANADA UPDATE
From Kris Barnier | Vice-President, Central Canada and the North
Alcohol
Late last Wednesday evening, LCBO posted to its website a new update on wholesale pricing. It can be found here.
Restaurants Canada has been in discussions with the Ontario government for several months to express industry concerns about alcohol pricing. We have asked the government and LCBO for a technical briefing to help us understand the impact of the new wholesale model for restaurant businesses. We will share additional information and analysis as it becomes available.
Our advocacy on alcohol pricing continues. Our objectives remain:
- Deliver fairness by ensuring restaurants and bars do not pay more for beer than grocers and convenience stores
- Restore the full value of the 15% LCBO discount
- Address the discrepancy of alcohol pricing for restaurants in Ontario versus other major provinces, given LCBO’s massive purchasing power.
Ontario – Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day, Feb 23
On February 23, Ontario celebrated its first annual Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day .
This day recognizes the crucial role of frontline staff in restaurants, hotels, and tourism, and serves as an opportunity for restaurant operators and patrons to express their thanks to the hardworking people who dedicate a significant part of their lives to providing memorable hospitality experiences.
Restaurants Canada was active on social media, encouraging Ontarians to visit restaurants and to share their appreciation for the industry’s workers.
Visit to Manitoba
Last week, Central Canada VP Kris Barnier was in Manitoba for the MRFA Hall of Fame Gala, where three new members were inducted:
- Richard Enright, Boston Pizza – Recognized for his leadership expanding the brand across Manitoba and for his exceptional work in supporting local charities, like the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Manitoba.
- James Siwicki, Silver Heights – Recognized as the founder of one of Winnipeg’s most iconic destinations on the city’s dining scene.
- Oscar Grubert, Champs Food Systems – A leader in Manitoba’s restaurant industry, at its peak, Champs Food Systems operated over 50 restaurants across Canada and the US.
While in Manitoba, Restaurants Canada connected with Mayor Gillingham and Minister Glen Simard (Municipal Affairs, and responsible for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation), as well as with the Offices of the Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation and senior staff representing the Minister of Labour and Immigration. Discussions focused on alcohol pricing, WCB premium relief, public safety, and labour and immigration.
WESTERN CANADA UPDATE
From Cheryl Maitland Muir | Vice-President, Western Canada
BC Budget
On Tuesday, February 17, the BC Government unveiled Budget 2026. Restaurants Canada attended the lock-up to assess the Budget’s impact on the province’s restaurant sector.
British Columbia is facing a worsening fiscal environment, with the deficit projected to rise by 40% in 2026/27 and remain above $11B annually over the three-year fiscal plan. In this context, the budget introduces several tax increases and spending reductions.
Most significant for restaurant operators is the expansion of the PST to select professional services starting October 1, 2026. This change will add 7% in additional costs to services such as accounting, architectural work, and security.
Restaurants Canada is engaging with provincial officials regarding the mounting cost pressures facing the sector at a time when industry profitability remains strained.
Next up is the Alberta Budget on Thursday, February 26. We will monitor it closely and share updates with members as soon as details are available.
With gratitude,
Kelly Higginson
