THE CANADIAN RESTAURANT INDUSTRY WHAT’S ON THE MENU ?
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Here are some headlines from the restaurant and foodservice industry news of 2008. All information was provided by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. Topics include new appointments, labour shortage, changes to provincial liquor laws, public safety and other issues that have been of some concern to Canadian consumers.
FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY WELCOMES HELP WITH SASKATCHEWAN’S LABOUR SHORTAGE
Recognizing the growing labour shortages in the foodservice and hospitality industries, Saskatchewan has expanded its Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) to include hotel housekeeping staff and food and beverage servers on temporary work permits.
This pilot project will make it possible for temporary foreign workers in the hospitality sector to apply for nomination for permanent residency. To apply, the employee must have a minimum of six months of work experience with an approved employer in Saskatchewan.
“We’re very pleased that the provincial and federal governments are taking steps to address the acute labour shortage in foodservice and hospitality,” says Courtney Donovan, CRFA’s Vice President for Manitoba-Saskatchewan.
“We’re dealing with a people shortage, not just a skills shortage. Programs like the one announced today contribute to continued investment and job creation by hospitality operators in Saskatchewan.”
To be approved for the SINP, employers will be required to meet Service Canada criteria, such as offering wages within industry norms and demonstrating that they are unable to fill the positions locally. Employers must also submit a recruitment and settlement plan.
In Saskatchewan, more than 32,200 people – or 6.4% of the provincial workforce – are employed in the foodservice industry, according to Statistics Canada. An additional 2,700 foodservice industry employees will be needed by 2015, according to labour market studies. In 2007, Saskatchewan was Canada’s fastest-growing foodservice market.
VANCOUVER "RESTAURANT WATCH" AIMS TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY
CRFA has joined forces with the Vancouver Police Department and the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association in a new public safety initiative aimed at keeping suspected members of organized crime groups out of Vancouver restaurants.
Modelled after the Bar Watch program already in place in city bars and clubs, staff and owners of participating Restaurant Watch locations will call police if they suspect either gang members, gang associates, drug traffickers or someone with a "propensity for violence" has entered the premises.
To ensure the safety and security of staff and patrons, once they have been alerted to a potential problem, the onus will be on police to determine if the people are actually removed from the restaurant. In addition, uniform and plainclothes officers will do periodic walk-throughs of participating restaurants.
More than 40 local restaurants have already signed on as participants in Restaurant Watch.
MINIMUM WAGE TO RISE IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Newfoundland and Labrador’s minimum wage will rise from $8.00/hour to $8.50/hour on Jan. 1, 2009, with further increases planned over the next two years:
July 1, 2009 $9.00/hour
Jan. 2, 2010 $9.50/hour
July 1, 2010 $10.00/hour
Although staged increases in the minimum wage give employers some advance notice on rising labour costs, minimum wage hikes remain difficult for foodservice operators to absorb because of the labour-intensive nature of the industry. In Newfoundland and Labrador, nearly 31 cents of every dollar spent at a restaurant goes directly to payroll costs.
In meetings with the government, CRFA expressed its concern about the magnitude of these increases, and underscored the importance of providing employers with adequate notice of wage increases. CRFA also called for training and tip differentials to recognize the significant cost of training new employees and the greater earning potential of tipped employees.
BRUCE GUERIN APPOINTED SHOW MANAGER
FOR THE B.C. FOODSERVICE EXPO
Bruce Guerin joined the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association in July as the Show Manager for the B.C. Foodservice Expo.
Bruce Guerin will be responsible for producing and managing the B.C. Foodservice Expo, the largest hospitality trade show in Western Canada. Held every year in Vancouver, the two-day Expo features 370 booths and attracts more than 4,700 buyers from across the province. The next edition of the show is scheduled for January 25 - 26, 2009 at BC Place in downtown Vancouver.
Mr. Guerin brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Show Manager. He has produced numerous landscaping shows throughout Western Canada, as well as trade shows for the World Conference for Physical Therapy in both Europe and Vancouver. He is recognized for his ability to anticipate the needs of both exhibitors and attendees and has a solid track record of producing quality events.
“We’re pleased to welcome Bruce to our expositions team and I’m confident his in-depth knowledge of shows and the local market will ensure that the B.C. Foodservice Expo will be a ‘don’t miss’ event for foodservice suppliers and buyers throughout the province,” says Steve Barber, CRFA’s Vice President of Expositions.
CRFA also owns the Alberta Foodservice Show, the ApEx show serving Atlantic Canada and the CRFA Show which takes place in Toronto.
MICHAEL ARONOVICI ELECTED
CHAIRMAN OF CRFA
Michael Aronovici, President of Interaction Restaurants Group Inc. of Montreal, is the new Chairman of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA). He was elected to a one-year term at CRFA’s annual meeting on March 2 in Toronto.
Interaction Restaurants Group Inc. is the exclusive licensee for Starbucks coffee shops in Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Interaction operates 40 cafés and employs 800 people.
While retail Starbucks coffee shops in North America are usually corporately owned and operated, Interaction was selected to introduce the brand to the Quebec market. Aronovici has operated several foodservice brands since joining Interaction as Vice President of Investment and Development in 1990, including Pizza Hut, Salisbury House, and Cultures. He was named President of Interaction in 1997.
NO MEAL TAX IN MONTREAL
The threat of a new tax on restaurant meals in Montreal is finally off the table.
The City of Montreal won new taxation powers in an agreement signed with the province in early June, but the power to levy municipal taxes on restaurant meals is not among them.
The deal is part of a package of amendments to Bill 22, which was introduced by the province in September 2007. At that time, Bill 22 focused primarily on amalgamation issues in the City of Montreal but also contained additional taxation powers for the city, including the power to levy municipal taxes on restaurant meals, parking, and entertainment such as movies, sporting events and performing arts events.
CRFA’s Council of Chain Restaurants: Quebec (CCRQ) spoke out against Bill 22, appearing before a provincial parliamentary commission and arguing that the hospitality and entertainment industries were being unfairly targeted, and that the taxes would have a disastrous impact for foodservice operators who continue to struggle with rising labour and food costs.
In response to concerns raised by CCRQ and other business groups, Quebec withdrew Bill 22 in December, but continued to work with the city in an effort to resolve ongoing administrative and financial disputes.
It is expected that these amendments will be submitted to the National Assembly for a vote before the current session ends later in June.
ALBERTA GIVES A BOOST TO BAR SAFETY
CRFA and other stakeholders have joined forces to create a safer environment for customers and staff at licensed establishments in Alberta.
Formed in mid-June, the Alberta Safer Bars Council (ASBC) includes representation from police agencies, municipalities, liquor and hospitality industries and several government departments. The council will advise the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) on policy development and best practices to help reduce the number of violent incidents in and around licensed venues.
Early bedtime for Alberta’s happy hour
New provincial regulations have set minimum drink prices, regulated the duration of “happy hours” and limited last-call drink orders in Alberta bars. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) introduced these policy amendments as part of the province’s efforts to make drinking places safer for customers and staff.
Under the new regulations, minimum drink prices are set as follows:
Spirits and liqueurs = $ 2.75 per oz.
Wine = $ 0.35 per oz. ($1.75 per 5 oz. glass)
Draught beer = $ 0.16 per oz.($3.20 per 20 oz. pint)
Beer, cider or coolers in cans or bottles = $ 2.75 per 12 oz.
Happy hours: Licensees may reduce the regular menu price of drinks, but only until 8:00 p.m. At no time can a drink be sold for less than the new minimum price.
Maximum drink order: Customers cannot be sold or served more than two drinks – nor are they permitted to have more than two drinks in their possession – after 1:00 a.m.
As a member of the Alberta Liquor Industry Roundtable (ALIRT), CRFA supports this approach as a reasonable way to address irresponsible drinking behaviour of a small minority of consumers.
CRFA SHOW MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Following a successful debut in 2008, planning is well underway for the 2009 CRFA Show, March 8 – 10 at the Direct Energy Centre in downtown Toronto.
More than 800 booths have been sold so far, and legendary bar chef Dale DeGroff from New York’s Rainbow Room has been signed as a headliner, sponsored by Diageo. More features will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The show’s first priority is meeting the needs of foodservice owners, operators and buyers,” says CRFA President Douglas Needham. “The rapid pace of change in the restaurant industry today -- from food trends to the growing need for cost-saving equipment, products and services -- makes an annual show more important than ever.”
The CRFA Show is a trade-only event owned and operated by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association and sponsored by VISA.
ABOUT CRFA
The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association is one of the largest business associations in Canada. Since its founding in 1944, CRFA has grown to more than 33,500 members, representing restaurants, bars, cafeterias and social and contract caterers, as well as accommodation, entertainment and institutional foodservice.
CRFA's head office is in Toronto, and it has regional offices in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax.
CRFA's mission is to create a favorable business environment and deliver tangible value to our members in all sectors of Canada's foodservice industry. CRFA accomplishes this through a variety of services to members, including:
• Representation to government on key industry issues;
• Industry research and forecast;
• Money-saving services and group buying programs;
• Hospitality trade shoes.
FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY WELCOMES HELP WITH SASKATCHEWAN’S LABOUR SHORTAGE
Recognizing the growing labour shortages in the foodservice and hospitality industries, Saskatchewan has expanded its Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) to include hotel housekeeping staff and food and beverage servers on temporary work permits.
This pilot project will make it possible for temporary foreign workers in the hospitality sector to apply for nomination for permanent residency. To apply, the employee must have a minimum of six months of work experience with an approved employer in Saskatchewan.
“We’re very pleased that the provincial and federal governments are taking steps to address the acute labour shortage in foodservice and hospitality,” says Courtney Donovan, CRFA’s Vice President for Manitoba-Saskatchewan.
“We’re dealing with a people shortage, not just a skills shortage. Programs like the one announced today contribute to continued investment and job creation by hospitality operators in Saskatchewan.”
To be approved for the SINP, employers will be required to meet Service Canada criteria, such as offering wages within industry norms and demonstrating that they are unable to fill the positions locally. Employers must also submit a recruitment and settlement plan.
In Saskatchewan, more than 32,200 people – or 6.4% of the provincial workforce – are employed in the foodservice industry, according to Statistics Canada. An additional 2,700 foodservice industry employees will be needed by 2015, according to labour market studies. In 2007, Saskatchewan was Canada’s fastest-growing foodservice market.
VANCOUVER "RESTAURANT WATCH" AIMS TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY
CRFA has joined forces with the Vancouver Police Department and the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association in a new public safety initiative aimed at keeping suspected members of organized crime groups out of Vancouver restaurants.
Modelled after the Bar Watch program already in place in city bars and clubs, staff and owners of participating Restaurant Watch locations will call police if they suspect either gang members, gang associates, drug traffickers or someone with a "propensity for violence" has entered the premises.
To ensure the safety and security of staff and patrons, once they have been alerted to a potential problem, the onus will be on police to determine if the people are actually removed from the restaurant. In addition, uniform and plainclothes officers will do periodic walk-throughs of participating restaurants.
More than 40 local restaurants have already signed on as participants in Restaurant Watch.
MINIMUM WAGE TO RISE IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Newfoundland and Labrador’s minimum wage will rise from $8.00/hour to $8.50/hour on Jan. 1, 2009, with further increases planned over the next two years:
July 1, 2009 $9.00/hour
Jan. 2, 2010 $9.50/hour
July 1, 2010 $10.00/hour
Although staged increases in the minimum wage give employers some advance notice on rising labour costs, minimum wage hikes remain difficult for foodservice operators to absorb because of the labour-intensive nature of the industry. In Newfoundland and Labrador, nearly 31 cents of every dollar spent at a restaurant goes directly to payroll costs.
In meetings with the government, CRFA expressed its concern about the magnitude of these increases, and underscored the importance of providing employers with adequate notice of wage increases. CRFA also called for training and tip differentials to recognize the significant cost of training new employees and the greater earning potential of tipped employees.
BRUCE GUERIN APPOINTED SHOW MANAGER
FOR THE B.C. FOODSERVICE EXPO
Bruce Guerin joined the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association in July as the Show Manager for the B.C. Foodservice Expo.
Bruce Guerin will be responsible for producing and managing the B.C. Foodservice Expo, the largest hospitality trade show in Western Canada. Held every year in Vancouver, the two-day Expo features 370 booths and attracts more than 4,700 buyers from across the province. The next edition of the show is scheduled for January 25 - 26, 2009 at BC Place in downtown Vancouver.
Mr. Guerin brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Show Manager. He has produced numerous landscaping shows throughout Western Canada, as well as trade shows for the World Conference for Physical Therapy in both Europe and Vancouver. He is recognized for his ability to anticipate the needs of both exhibitors and attendees and has a solid track record of producing quality events.
“We’re pleased to welcome Bruce to our expositions team and I’m confident his in-depth knowledge of shows and the local market will ensure that the B.C. Foodservice Expo will be a ‘don’t miss’ event for foodservice suppliers and buyers throughout the province,” says Steve Barber, CRFA’s Vice President of Expositions.
CRFA also owns the Alberta Foodservice Show, the ApEx show serving Atlantic Canada and the CRFA Show which takes place in Toronto.
MICHAEL ARONOVICI ELECTED
CHAIRMAN OF CRFA
Michael Aronovici, President of Interaction Restaurants Group Inc. of Montreal, is the new Chairman of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA). He was elected to a one-year term at CRFA’s annual meeting on March 2 in Toronto.
Interaction Restaurants Group Inc. is the exclusive licensee for Starbucks coffee shops in Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Interaction operates 40 cafés and employs 800 people.
While retail Starbucks coffee shops in North America are usually corporately owned and operated, Interaction was selected to introduce the brand to the Quebec market. Aronovici has operated several foodservice brands since joining Interaction as Vice President of Investment and Development in 1990, including Pizza Hut, Salisbury House, and Cultures. He was named President of Interaction in 1997.
NO MEAL TAX IN MONTREAL
The threat of a new tax on restaurant meals in Montreal is finally off the table.
The City of Montreal won new taxation powers in an agreement signed with the province in early June, but the power to levy municipal taxes on restaurant meals is not among them.
The deal is part of a package of amendments to Bill 22, which was introduced by the province in September 2007. At that time, Bill 22 focused primarily on amalgamation issues in the City of Montreal but also contained additional taxation powers for the city, including the power to levy municipal taxes on restaurant meals, parking, and entertainment such as movies, sporting events and performing arts events.
CRFA’s Council of Chain Restaurants: Quebec (CCRQ) spoke out against Bill 22, appearing before a provincial parliamentary commission and arguing that the hospitality and entertainment industries were being unfairly targeted, and that the taxes would have a disastrous impact for foodservice operators who continue to struggle with rising labour and food costs.
In response to concerns raised by CCRQ and other business groups, Quebec withdrew Bill 22 in December, but continued to work with the city in an effort to resolve ongoing administrative and financial disputes.
It is expected that these amendments will be submitted to the National Assembly for a vote before the current session ends later in June.
ALBERTA GIVES A BOOST TO BAR SAFETY
CRFA and other stakeholders have joined forces to create a safer environment for customers and staff at licensed establishments in Alberta.
Formed in mid-June, the Alberta Safer Bars Council (ASBC) includes representation from police agencies, municipalities, liquor and hospitality industries and several government departments. The council will advise the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) on policy development and best practices to help reduce the number of violent incidents in and around licensed venues.
Early bedtime for Alberta’s happy hour
New provincial regulations have set minimum drink prices, regulated the duration of “happy hours” and limited last-call drink orders in Alberta bars. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) introduced these policy amendments as part of the province’s efforts to make drinking places safer for customers and staff.
Under the new regulations, minimum drink prices are set as follows:
Spirits and liqueurs = $ 2.75 per oz.
Wine = $ 0.35 per oz. ($1.75 per 5 oz. glass)
Draught beer = $ 0.16 per oz.($3.20 per 20 oz. pint)
Beer, cider or coolers in cans or bottles = $ 2.75 per 12 oz.
Happy hours: Licensees may reduce the regular menu price of drinks, but only until 8:00 p.m. At no time can a drink be sold for less than the new minimum price.
Maximum drink order: Customers cannot be sold or served more than two drinks – nor are they permitted to have more than two drinks in their possession – after 1:00 a.m.
As a member of the Alberta Liquor Industry Roundtable (ALIRT), CRFA supports this approach as a reasonable way to address irresponsible drinking behaviour of a small minority of consumers.
CRFA SHOW MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Following a successful debut in 2008, planning is well underway for the 2009 CRFA Show, March 8 – 10 at the Direct Energy Centre in downtown Toronto.
More than 800 booths have been sold so far, and legendary bar chef Dale DeGroff from New York’s Rainbow Room has been signed as a headliner, sponsored by Diageo. More features will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The show’s first priority is meeting the needs of foodservice owners, operators and buyers,” says CRFA President Douglas Needham. “The rapid pace of change in the restaurant industry today -- from food trends to the growing need for cost-saving equipment, products and services -- makes an annual show more important than ever.”
The CRFA Show is a trade-only event owned and operated by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association and sponsored by VISA.
ABOUT CRFA
The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association is one of the largest business associations in Canada. Since its founding in 1944, CRFA has grown to more than 33,500 members, representing restaurants, bars, cafeterias and social and contract caterers, as well as accommodation, entertainment and institutional foodservice.
CRFA's head office is in Toronto, and it has regional offices in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax.
CRFA's mission is to create a favorable business environment and deliver tangible value to our members in all sectors of Canada's foodservice industry. CRFA accomplishes this through a variety of services to members, including:
• Representation to government on key industry issues;
• Industry research and forecast;
• Money-saving services and group buying programs;
• Hospitality trade shoes.