As a major purchaser of food and beverage products, the foodservice industry is calling on governments to modernize trade agreements
The foodservice industry purchases $41 billion of food and beverage products every year. Trade barriers have a major impact on its profitability. Restaurants Canada is actively advocating for free trade, internally and internationally, to ensure operators have access a competitive and diverse market.
Interprovincial trade
We have been working on liberalizing the flow of goods and services across provincial lines for many years as a low-cost way for governments to lower operating costs and support the foodservice industry. Read our latest work on interprovincial trade here:
Foodservice Industry Benefits of Eliminating Interprovincial Trade Barriers
Eliminating interprovincial trade barriers in Canada could significantly benefit the foodservice industry by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and red tape, and fostering economic growth. Download this report to learn more.
Food continues to be excluded from internal trade agreements, despite chronic rising costs
With food costs continuing to rise beyond general inflation, provincial and federal governments need to focus on liberalizing the movement of food products between provinces, says Restaurants Canada. Read more in this release.
Ontario’s free trade legislation is a game changer for Canada’s internal trade framework, but more provinces need to get on board
Restaurants Canada congratulates the Ontario government for tabling legislation to remove its Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) exceptions, adopt mutual recognition with reciprocating provinces, liberalize labour mobility and allow direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol. Read more in our release.
Restaurants Canada Statement on Interprovincial Trade
Restaurants Canada is encouraged to see the federal government’s initiative to remove more than half of its exceptions from the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This move would foster a more open and integrated internal market, which is essential for stimulating economic growth and increasing the mobility of goods, services, and workers across provinces.
CUSMA and U.S. trade dispute
Following the U.S.’s imposition of tariffs on Canada and Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on March 4, 2025, Restaurants Canada has been closely with the federal government to address industry concerns and provide members with the latest information.
We joined the Canada-U.S. Trade Council, travelled to Washington, D.C. for a Tariff Trade Mission, and met with key cabinet ministers and provincial governments to discuss the impact of these tariffs and explore mitigation strategies, such as removing interprovincial trade barriers and larger wholesale alcohol discounts to offset rising costs.
In November 2025, we participated in the federal government’s consultation on the renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Read our latest work on CUSMA and international trade here:
Restaurants Canada statement on U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs
Restaurants Canada condemns the U.S. government’s unjustified tariffs on Canada and supports federal and provincial governments in defending Canadian interests. A tariff war will hurt businesses and workers on both sides of the border.
