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Emigration and immigration

Restaurants Canada Urges Federal Government to Reform Immigration System

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Labour shortages in the foodservice industry, which employs 1.2 million Canadians, particularly in rural, remote and tourist areas, are at a critical point. Current immigration levels threaten the viability of many restaurants, with over 78,000 job vacancies. Restaurants Canada supports a more regionally responsive and transparent immigration system, reinstating Provincial and Territorial Nominee Program (PTNP) allocations to access economic migrants, and automating work permits for asylum seekers. The association shares concerns about processing times for all immigration streams and advocates for a collaborative federal-provincial framework.

Key Takeaways:

  • Restaurants Canada is a national not-for-profit association advancing Canada's foodservice industry, which is a $120 billion industry employing nearly 1.2 million Canadians.
  • The foodservice industry faces a devastating impact from labour shortages, with 78,000 job vacancies, particularly in rural, remote, and tourist areas.
  • Restaurants Canada supports reinstating Provincial and Territorial Nominee Program (PTNP) allocations to ensure access to economic migrants and to address regional labour shortages.
  • The association urges the federal government to automate work permits for asylum seekers, enabling them to fully contribute to society and the Canadian economy.
  • Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, emphasizes the need for a collaborative federal-provincial framework that is responsive to regional realities.
  • A faster processing time for all immigration streams is essential for the industry to operate smoothly.
  • Restaurants Canada is committed to working with all levels of government to address the critical labour shortage issue.

Statistics:

  • 1.2 million Canadians are employed in the foodservice industry (Restaurants Canada).
  • The foodservice industry is a $120 billion industry in Canada (Restaurants Canada).
  • Over 78,000 job vacancies exist in the foodservice industry, primarily in rural, remote, and tourist areas (Radio-Canada).

Sources:

  • Restaurants Canada, press release July 24, 2025.
  • Kelly Higginson, President and CEO, Restaurants Canada.
  • Restaurants Canada, restaurantscanada.org.

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