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CEO Notes

Essential updates on national and regional industry news, strategic priorities, and advocacy efforts from Kelly Higginson, Restaurants Canada President & CEO. 

For media inquiries, please contact media@restaurantscanada.org

CEO Notes

The future of our industry depends on political recognition of our workforce needs.

Last week, Restaurants Canada opened registration for RC Show 2026 and announced this year’s Show theme: Into the Beyond. These aren’t just evocative words or a marketing slogan; they’re a call to accept the truth: we’re not going back to…

CEO Notes

The federal Budget is around the corner and we need your help!

I hope you had a relaxing and nourishing Thanksgiving weekend!  We are less than a month away from the new federal government’s first official Budget, which will be tabled November 4. With that, the Restaurants Canada team is redoubling our…

CEO Notes

Taking the fight for food tax fairness to Ottawa

It has been a busy and productive couple of weeks for the Restaurants Canada team! Restaurants Canada in Ottawa  It was a big week back in Ottawa for Restaurants Canada as we continued our conversations and lobby work around immigration,…

CEO Notes

TFW program: The real data on the foodservice industry

Over the last two weeks, we have seen a concerning increase in rhetoric targeting the foodservice industry’s use of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. Both Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and BC Premier David Eby have called for the…

CEO Notes

Restaurants Canada is expanding with the opening of our Ottawa office!

As a busy summer season winds down, the team has been actively laying the groundwork for a high-impact fall. Following a fast-paced summer lobbying focused on key advocacy priorities — including trade and retaliatory tariff issues, our Food Tax Fairness…

CEO Notes

Standing up for Foodservice in a Trade War

At the heart of our industry are leaders who drive progress, elevate standards, and create lasting impact. Today, we are honoured to recognize them. Our award winners are not just celebrated, they are also headlining the path forward.    Before the…

CEO Notes

The summer months are traditionally a busy period for our sector, and this year is no exception.

Mark your calendar for One Table!  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 exclusive evening brings…

CEO Notes

As we enter the second half of the year, it’s important to reflect on the grit, creativity and leadership it takes to move hospitality forward.

As we enter the second half of the year, it’s important to reflect on the grit, creativity and leadership it takes to move hospitality forward. No one understands that better than those living it every day. Recognizing industry leaders and…

CEO Notes

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…

CEO Notes

Help us bring an end to sales tax on restaurant meals!

We’re excited to officially launch our GST/HST campaign at foodisfood.ca, calling on the federal government to exempt all food, including restaurant meals, from sales tax!   WE NEED YOUR VOICE!   Help us bring an end to sales tax on restaurant meals!…