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
Last week, Restaurants Canada’s Q3 Quarterly report highlighted the continued troubling disconnect between restaurant sales and profitability. Despite stronger-than-expected sales growth in 2026, two-thirds of restaurant operators report lower profitability than a year ago. These findings reinforce that rising operating…
With October and the fall Parliament sitting underway, the Restaurants Canada team has been busy meeting with policymakers and raising the profile of our industry as an important player in Canada’s food production and supply system. As part of that…
Last week, Restaurants Canada had the privilege of honouring our 2026 Awards of Excellence winners at One Table, our signature annual dinner celebrating the leaders, innovators and changemakers shaping our industry — and what an evening it was. From Hemant Bhagwani, whose…
Last week, restaurants received good news reflecting one of Restaurants Canada’s main federal policy priorities with the announcement by the federal government of the new Productivity Mega Deduction. By allowing businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of many qualifying…
The trade war with the United States has intensified again as Canada’s counter-tariffs came into effect Tuesday morning. Following the federal government’s announcement of imports it is targeting with counter-tariffs, we met with officials in Finance, Canada–U.S. Trade, Agriculture, and Global Affairs to…
The breakdown of trade negotiations with the United States and the imposition of new U.S. tariffs have created another period of uncertainty for Canadian businesses, including restaurants. Restaurants Canada supports the Government of Canada as it works to defend Canadian…
Last month, the U.S. announced it would impose a new round of tariffs on Canadian products, including ones previously protected under CUSMA, on August 19. As the Government of Canada continues discussions with U.S. counterparts ahead of the deadline, the…
Last week, I attended the official reception kicking off the annual summer meeting of provincial Premiers in Charlottetown, at the invitation of the host, Premier Rob Lantz—a welcome recognition of the important role Canada’s restaurant industry plays in the national economy. The event provided an excellent opportunity to…
I had the opportunity to spend last weekend at the Calgary Stampede, along with Cheryl Muir, Restaurants Canada’s Vice President, Western Canada. I was reminded that behind every iconic Canadian event is a restaurant industry that helps make the experience possible. Stampede…
While Parliament and provincial legislatures have risen for the summer, the Restaurants Canada team is still hard at work. Our advocacy continues throughout the summer months, using the time for discussions with MPs and members of provincial legislatures in their ridings. The quieter summer months are…
