Employment Insurance premium freeze welcome news for restaurant operators

OTTAWA, Sept. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) commends the federal government for listening to its concerns and freezing the EI premium rate for employers and employees over the next three years.

Canada's restaurant industry is one of the country's largest job creators, with more than one million employees in communities across the country.  Restaurants provide 22 per cent of Canadians with their first jobs, making the industry the number one source of first-time work experience.

In the labour-intensive restaurant industry, high payroll tax burden is consistently noted as a key business constraint.  In CRFA's latest Restaurant Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2013, 53 per cent of restaurateurs said rising labour costs were having a negative impact on their business.

"Payroll costs have a significant impact on overall labour costs.  They are a barrier to hiring, particularly for inexperienced workers," says Joyce Reynolds, CRFA's Executive Vice President, Government Affairs. "We are pleased the government is demonstrating commitment to youth employment by holding the line on these profit-insensitive costs."

CRFA is one of Canada's largest business associations, with more than 30,000 members representing restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers. Canada's restaurant industry generates $65 billion annually in economic activity and employs more than 1.1 million people in communities across the country.

SOURCE: Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association

MEDIA CONTACT:  Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, 1-800-387-5649, ext. 4254 or [email protected].