From Stampede to job growth: Restaurants driving Canada’s economy

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 attracts more than a million visitors each year, but it is restaurants, bars, cafés and foodservice operators that welcome those visitors throughout their stay—serving meals, creating memorable experiences, employing local people and generating economic activity across the region. 

That same story plays out across Canada every summer. Whether it is patios in Montréal and Toronto, wineries and tourism communities in the Okanagan, festivals in Winnipeg, cottage country in Ontario or destinations throughout Atlantic Canada, restaurants help turn a visit into an experience.  

Across the country, restaurants welcome 23.7 million visitors every day. That scale is easy to overlook when our industry is viewed simply as a collection of individual businesses. Together, however, restaurants are critical economic infrastructure. We create vibrant main streets, strengthen Canada’s tourism offering, support Canadian farmers and food producers, and provide jobs and first employment opportunities in communities of every size. 

That is why Restaurants Canada continues to focus so much of our advocacy on demonstrating the sector’s economic contribution. Governments need to understand that restaurants are not only places where people eat. Our industry employs 1.2 million Canadians, purchases $30 billion in food and beverages each year, and generates economic activity throughout the Canadian supply chain. 

Whether we are advocating for better labour policies, fair tax treatment, a stronger investment climate or practical regulation, our message is consistent: sound public policy allows restaurants to invest, hire and continue contributing to the communities they serve. 

The Calgary Stampede is a wonderful celebration of Alberta, but it also reflects something much bigger. Across Canada this summer, millions of people will gather to experience our cities, towns and regions—and restaurants will be at the heart of those experiences. 

That is a story worth telling, and one Restaurants Canada will continue making clear to governments across the country on behalf of our members and our industry. 

Restaurant industry leads Canada in youth job growth 

Speaking of our industry’s economic contribution, June was another headline month for employment in the restaurant sector. Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force survey, released Friday, showed that restaurants were the second-strongest job creator in June, creating 14,700 jobs over May. Since the start of the year, restaurants have created an additional 52,770 youth jobs compared to the same period in 2025, outpacing all other industries. 

This is an important part of Restaurants Canada’s advocacy with governments and we leverage this data to underline the importance of our industry to the economy and job creation in every province.  

You can see our news release about these job numbers here. 

Pathways to Careers in Foodservice program returns 

Restaurants Canada is pleased to announce that, through our advocacy with the Government of Ontario, we have successfully secured a second year of funding for the Pathways to Careers in Foodservice program. The renewed investment will support the program from June 30, 2026, to June 29, 2027, enabling us to continue creating meaningful career pathways and workforce opportunities across Ontario. 

Ontario restaurants can receive Training Subsidies of $1,500 to support the training and retention of new hires or promotions, or $2,000 for youth under 25 and workers displaced by tariffs.  

Important: You must submit claims within 31 days of hiring. 

For more information and eligibility criteria, download the info package. 

Join us for One Table on September 29 

Restaurants Canada’s signature event for industry leaders and changemakers is back for a second year and tickets are now available. Join us to celebrate the winners of the 2026 Awards of Excellence, receive an early copy of our latest Foodservice Facts report and collaborate on the most urgent questions and breakthrough opportunities shaping the future of foodservice and hospitality.  This is the industry’s must-attend event, bringing together the leaders, ideas, and conversations shaping the future of foodservice in Canada.  

With gratitude,

Kelly

Kelly Higginson