TORONTO — A recent statement from Restaurants Canada (RC) states the association is “genuinely concerned about the lasting effects of the strike that began on July 1, 2023, at the Port of Vancouver with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, and BCMEA. This strike will cause severe damage to Canada’s already struggling restaurant industry.”
The statement claims the cost of products used in Canada’s restaurants is already at historic highs and this strike will cause costs to rise even further. “For the sake of our industry’s survival, Restaurants Canada is calling on both parties to settle this dispute immediately and for the federal government to do everything in its power to protect Canada’s economy.”
B.C. ports are an instrumental part of maintaining the flow of goods and supplies restaurants require to operate. The inflationary pressures restaurants are dealing with are already threatening the survival of many operations. According to RC, the cost of utilities has increased by six per cent; proteins have increased by nine per cent (beef), 11 per cent (seafood) and 13 per cent (chicken); and cooking oil is up 40 per cent. “This labour dispute and the closure of British Columbia ports will mean further cost increases,” reads the statement. “After a challenging three years with increased labour shortages, rising interest rates and operational costs, restaurants do not need more uncertainty.”
RC date shows that 50 per cent of Canadian foodservice operators are currently operating at a loss or just breaking even, compared to just 12 per cent pre-pandemic. “The ports in British Columbia are essential to supplying our industry and are not easily replaced,” says Richard Alexander, EVP of Restaurants Canada. “During the last labour dispute at B.C. ports, we experienced significant cost increases and reports of cargos of produce rotting on board. Our industry and our economy simply cannot afford a shutdown of B.C. ports. An immediate resolution to this dispute through negotiation of back to work legislation is required.”
To avoid further stress within Canadian foodservice and more damage to Canada’s economy, Restaurants Canada is calling on all parties to immediately resolve this labour dispute, and for the federal government to do everything in its power to protect Canada’s economy.
