Restaurants Canada Supplier Code of Conduct
At Restaurants Canada we conduct business with the highest level of integrity and ethics and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. These principles have guided our thought processes, decisions, and approach for more than 75 years. We view our suppliers as partners in fulfilling our commitment to these principles and require they comply with this Supplier Code of Conduct.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct (the “Code”) is to encourage legal, social and ethical business practices by our Suppliers, which includes all persons, entities, companies or organizations that provide goods and services to Restaurants Canada (each, a “Supplier” and, collectively, the “Suppliers”). Restaurants Canada expects Suppliers to provide products, equipment and services that comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they operate as well as to adhere to all requirements set out in this Code. All references to “applicable laws and regulations” in this Code shall include local, provincial, federal and international codes, rules and regulations as well as applicable treaties and industry standards.
The Code embraces best practices and outlines the specific expectations and requirements we have of our supplier community.
Restaurants Canada expects its Suppliers to conduct audits and inspections in order to verify compliance with the Code. We may reach out to our Suppliers on a periodic basis to request a list of audits and inspections the Supplier undertook over a period of time. Violations of, nor noncooperation with Restaurants Canada in our enforcement of the Code may lead to disciplinary action, which may include, among other things, termination of the Supplier relationship.
Suppliers should inform Restaurants Canada of any deviation from this Code, including significant regulatory noncompliance or news event that may jeopardize views of our organization or our legal compliance. The Code is centered around four areas that are important to our brand, our members and the industry we represent and with which Suppliers must ensure compliance:
I. Human Rights and Labour Practices
We are committed to conducting business in a way that provides a safe and healthy work environment for our employees. We expect our suppliers to operate in a manner that:
Complies with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and best practices.
Takes necessary steps to protect workers from workplace accidents, illnesses, and injuries.
At a minimum, Suppliers must also ensure reasonable access to potable water, sanitary facilities, proper ventilation, adequate lighting and fire safety. In addition, Suppliers are responsible for general emergency preparedness and machine maintenance and evaluations in order to comply with applicable safety standards. All required permits, licenses and registrations must be obtained, maintained and kept up-to date. Suppliers must satisfy their operational and reporting requirements to applicable legal and regulatory authorities.
II. Health and Safety
We are committed to conducting business in a way that provides a safe and healthy work environment for our employees. We expect our suppliers to operate in a manner that:
Complies with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and best practices.
Takes necessary steps to protect workers from workplace accidents, illnesses, and injuries.
At a minimum, Suppliers must also ensure reasonable access to potable water, sanitary facilities, proper ventilation, adequate lighting and fire safety. In addition, Suppliers are responsible for general emergency preparedness and machine maintenance and evaluations in order to comply with applicable safety standards. All required permits, licenses and registrations must be obtained, maintained and kept up-to date. Suppliers must satisfy their operational and reporting requirements to applicable legal and regulatory authorities.
III. Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
As good stewards, we strive to conduct business in a responsible and sustainable manner. We want to conduct business with suppliers who share our commitment to stewardship and who establish environmental policies and practices to manage, monitor, and reduce the impact of their operations on the environment. Suppliers must ensure compliance with industry environmental, agricultural and animal welfare standards and practices, as applicable.
Suppliers are also expected to develop appropriate environmental management systems that recognize the environmental impacts of their specific business processes and monitor and report performance against improvement targets. Suppliers are expected to be leaders in meeting or exceeding environmental standards and demonstrating year-over-year progress towards reducing the environmental footprint of their operations.
IV. Business Ethics and Integrity
We are committed to operating our business with integrity, respect, accountability, and honour. We expect our suppliers to conduct business in accordance with the highest ethical standards and to have controls in place that prohibit and detect the misuse of company assets, corruption, bribery, fraud, extortion, and embezzlement. Gifts or hospitality exchanged in the normal course of business must be reasonable and customary and not be intended to influence business decisions or provide an unfair advantage. All suppliers’ business dealings should be fair, legal, and honest.
The Code represents a codification of Restaurants Canada’s business approach and a pledge, with our Suppliers, to work toward continuous improvement in all aspects of our operations. Our intent is to build relationships with our core Suppliers through open and honest dialogue based on mutual respect for knowledge and understanding of the process, the needs of the industry, and the capabilities of our Suppliers.
Thank you for being a valued supplier to Restaurants Canada and for your commitment to upholding these standards.
