Restaurant industry welcomes New Brunswick’s recipe for growth

Government has made commitments to rein in spending, reject an increase in the HST and grow the economy. Restaurant operators believe these measures, along with the government’s suggestions to introduce minimum wage differentials and privatize Alcool NB Liquor (ANBL), could raise additional revenue and spur growth throughout the small business sector.

“Small businesses, in particular restaurant and other foodservice businesses, are the key to economic growth in every single community,” says Luc Erjavec, Vice-President Atlantic Canada. “A vibrant restaurant industry plays a central role in the social and economic fabric of communities across the province. Given the opportunity, we will grow our businesses, creating more jobs for New Brunswickers, expanding markets for the province’s products and services and generating revenue for government. It’s a win-win situation for all.”

As one of New Brunswick’s largest private-sector employers, the restaurant industry encompasses more than 24,000 direct employees and over 1,600 commercial establishments. According to a recent Ipsos poll for Kraft Foodservice Canada and CRFA, 22 per cent of Canadians were first employed by the restaurant industry.