Restaurant sector working closely with government to ensure employer compliance with Temporary Foreign Worker Program

VANCOUVER, April 7, 2014 /CNW/ - The restaurant industry in Canada employs more than 1.1 million people, and is committed to hiring Canadians first. In fact, 98 per cent of restaurant industry employees are Canadian and two per cent are temporary foreign workers.

Restaurants Canada (formerly the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association) expects all of its members who use the TFW program to be in full compliance with the rules. The association supports recent government amendments aimed at ensuring the program is used for the purpose intended - to hire foreign workers only after extensive effort to hire Canadians for available jobs.

"We are committed to protecting the credibility and integrity of the TFW program so that it continues to be available to our members in areas of labour shortage," says Mark von Schellwitz, Restaurants Canada's vice president for Western Canada.

"Employers use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in certain areas of the country, primarily Western Canada, where they are having difficulty staffing their establishments due to a shortage of available labour.  Without the TFW program, some businesses would have to shut their doors or curtail their hours, which means fewer jobs for Canadians."

Restaurants Canada continues to work closely with government to ensure its members understand the evolving regulations of the TFW program, and the steps they need to take to be in compliance.

Restaurants Canada s a national association comprising 30,000 businesses in every segment of the foodservice industry, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and their suppliers. Through advocacy, research, and member programs and services, Restaurants Canada is dedicated to helping its members in every community grow and prosper.  Canada's restaurant industry directly employs more than 1.1 million Canadians, contributes $68 billion a year to the Canadian economy, and serves more than 18 million customers every day.

SOURCE: Restaurants Canada

Media Contact:
Mark von Schellwitz, VP Western Canada
604-685-9655 or [email protected]

Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, Communications Specialist
416-649-4254 or [email protected]