{"id":3802,"date":"2024-08-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/?post_type=ceo-notes&p=3802"},"modified":"2024-08-09T15:32:16","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T19:32:16","slug":"restaurants-canada-continues-to-be-actively-engaged-and-make-waves-in-the-media","status":"publish","type":"ceo-notes","link":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/fr\/ceo-note\/restaurants-canada-continues-to-be-actively-engaged-and-make-waves-in-the-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurants Canada continues to be actively engaged and make waves in the media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Off the top, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous loss to the residents and business owners due to the Jasper wildfire<\/strong>, with many restaurants and impacted foodservice operators and employees among them. The impact of this kind of devastation and displacement not only destroys the rhythm of day-to-day life, but the fibres of commerce that connect and support the local community, the provincial and national economy and the tourism product of Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jasper is a national treasure, and it will be rebuilt, but it will take time, care and support. Thank you to all members and associates who have pitched in with funds, food, lodging, logistics and other aid. It\u2019s what we do best and a sobering reminder of how important a role we play in our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurants Canada has donated $10,000 to the YEG Hospitality for Jasper Fund<\/strong><\/a>, through the Edmonton Community Foundation. Every dollar donated (with a small admin fee) will flow through to hospitality and tourism workers displaced by the wildfire. You can also consider holding a fundraising event<\/a> to raise funds, organized by the YEG Hospitality Fund, a collective of business owners from the Edmonton hospitality community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we all well know, the effective management of foodservice businesses has always depended on current data and real-world results. Now, as we look for ways to navigate the drop in consumer spending caused by lower discretionary income, it’s even more important to leverage timely data and intelligence. Restaurants Canada\u2019s <\/strong>Fast Facts Dashboard<\/strong><\/a> is updated monthly and is designed to provide you with a range of insights to support sound decision-making. If you haven\u2019t already done so, I encourage you to check it out and let us know what you think and how you\u2019re using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these and other economic challenges in mind, adopting new strategies to maximize profitability is no longer an option but a necessity. I’m excited to announce that tomorrow at 1:00 PM ET, Notch Financial<\/a> will share practical, actionable strategies to boost your bottom line. This 30-minute webinar session will provide invaluable insights to help restaurants, distributors, and suppliers navigate these tough times, from slashing costs to driving revenue and streamlining operations. Register here<\/a> to join us live or receive a recording if you cannot make the live session.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given the ongoing discussions about changes to the TFW program, I\u2019d like to remind our members about theimmigration toolkit<\/strong><\/a> we offer. This resource is designed to help you navigate Canada’s immigration system more effectively. In response to the increasing need for clarity and understanding within our industry, we’ve developed this toolkit to outline the various options available to you. Our aim is to simplify the immigration process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurants Canada continues to be actively engaged in the media<\/strong>, ensuring our voice is not only heard, but increasingly influential. In July, our team made several key media appearances and earned over 700 editorial mentions while advocating for our industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During a conversation with journalist Amanda Lang<\/strong> last week<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> I had the opportunity to discuss the recent decline in sector financial performance and the challenging sales period. As previously mentioned, this double hit has been attributed to a reduction in available discretionary income hitting our industry guest counts and an increase in costs. I was glad to be able to emphasize our urgent need for the government to ease the compounding pressures by lowering EI premiums for small and medium-sized businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urgent action is needed<\/strong> for the Federal Government to lower the EI Premium rate to 1.58%. There\u2019s still time to lend your voice to our campaign, Lift the Strain on Small Business<\/strong>, but time is running out. Please take a few minutes to send your letter to your MP<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already done so, thank you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Richard Alexander | Executive Vice-President, Government Relations & Public Affairs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal: Reducing EI Premiums Campaign Update<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our campaign to reduce your Employment Insurance Premiums continues in earnest. Next week you will begin to see our social media EI reduction campaign targeted toward our industry. The goal of the campaign is to increase the numbers of letters being sent from our website to local MPs. The numbers of letters sent is steadily increasing, but we need more\u2014you can help. There are only a few weeks left to make an impact, MPs will be returning to Parliament Hill in September and government will decide shortly thereafter on EI premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Act now by sending <\/strong>this letter<\/strong><\/a>. It only takes a couple of minutes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another part of our social media campaign is targeting MPs, asking them to support and champion a reduction in EI premiums. Your Restaurants Canada Regional Vice Presidents are meeting with MPs during August asking them to be champions for an EI premium reduction. Heading into the Liberal Party\u2019s Ministerial and Caucus Retreats at the end of the summer, Restaurants Canada, together with other national business associations, will be publishing an open letter to the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in the Financial Post asking for a reduction in EI premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your support is critical to this campaign\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please <\/strong>visit our campaign page<\/strong><\/a> and take action now.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Jillian Rodak | Vice President, Sustainability<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consultation Updates: Toronto Single-Use Bylaw and Circular Economy Roadmap, PEI Food Waste Reduction Strategy and Other Ongoing Consultations Continue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last week, Restaurants Canada met with the City of Toronto to discuss the future of the\u00a0<\/strong>Single-Use bylaw<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and the development of the\u00a0<\/strong>Circular Economy roadmap<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> The city is considering a single-use ban that includes the same six items included in the current federal plastics ban (checkout bags, cutlery, specific foodservice ware, ring carriers, stir sticks, straws) and will report back on this by the end of 2024. The city will also be conducting a consultation in the fall to explore the expansion of the current single-use bylaw to potentially include reuse regulations for dine-in at restaurants. We will be working with the city in the coming months to ensure that the realities and interests of our industry are considered throughout the single-use bylaw expansion and circular economy roadmap consultations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also met with the PEI Department of Agriculture to discuss the <\/strong>food waste reduction strategy consultation<\/strong><\/a>. We emphasized the great work that foodservice is already doing to prevent and manage food waste. The consultation is in its early stages, and the government is eager to hear from and work with our industry in Stage 2 of its engagement plan in the Fall. They intend to release a \u00ab\u00a0what we heard report\u00a0\u00bb by the end of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are continuing to work on other ongoing consultations<\/strong>, including: Chemical Hazards Bureau’s review of the voluntary food packaging program<\/a>, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)’s roadmap to reduce textile waste and pollution<\/a>, Health Canada’s and ECCC’s updated report<\/a> and risk management scope<\/a> on PFAS, and the Competition Bureau’s new greenwashing provisions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal: Notice of Mandatory Reporting for Above-Threshold PFAS Manufacturing or Importing Issued<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the current consultation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the federal government has published a\u00a0Notice<\/a>\u00a0in the Canada Gazette to collect further information on the use of PFAS (e.g., as a grease-proof coating for fibre packaging) to help determine whether they\u00a0are toxic or capable of becoming toxic, and whether to control these substances and in what manner.\u00a0Any person who manufactured or imported substances or items in 2023, above the thresholds listed in the Notice, must report no later than\u00a0January 29, 2025.<\/strong>\u00a0This can be done through the online reporting system available through\u00a0Environment and Climate Change Canada\u2019s Single Window<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FEDERAL UPDATE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Maximilien Roy | Vice-President, Federal & Qu\u00e9bec<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal: Restaurants Canada\u2019s pre-budget submission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As Parliament’s return is less than a month away, the Standing Finance Committee is gearing up to hear from various stakeholders to help shape next year’s budget. In preparation for this, Restaurants Canada has submitted a proposal highlighting five key priorities for our industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Lower the EI (Employment Insurance) premium rate to 1.58%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Expand the Canada Entrepreneur Incentive to all sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Implement a matching and training program for newcomers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Rejoin UN Tourism and attract the World Forum on Food Tourism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Promote jobs in the tourism sector.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Running a restaurant comes with numerous challenges, and we hear from our members and work to address a multitude of issues. That said, the government can only address a limited number of issues with its last budget before the next federal election. To optimize our effectiveness, we have prioritized the main concerns raised by our members that align with the government’s agenda so we can focus on delivering the changes that matter most to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Click here<\/a> to learn more about our pre-budget submission and stay tuned for more information as the Standing Finance Committee begins its review of the recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Federal: Better Access to Information on TFWs Now Available<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Canadian Government has begun to publish its policies related to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program on the Open Government<\/a> information portal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n