As many as half of Canada’s independent restaurants could permanently shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to an industry group.
Restaurants Canada — which is seeking government assistance for struggling eateries — says it recently conducted a survey that sheds light on the peril the industry is facing.
If improvements aren’t seen in the next three months, one out of every two restaurants that responded to the survey said they expect to go under, and “most” businesses with multiple locations say they will have to close one restaurant at least.
3:41 Re-opening restaurants: balancing public safety with profitability
Re-opening restaurants: balancing public safety with profitability
“Over the last month, we’ve heard just so many stories from these small, independent restaurateurs that literally, on a daily basis, are struggling with making that decision of whether or not to permanently close,” Mark von Schellwitz, Restaurants Canada’s VP for the western region, told the John Oakley Show on Global News Radio.
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Seventy-five per cent of restaurants that responded to the survey are “very or extremely concerned” about debt levels.
The group is welcoming plans for commercial rent relief, a federal measure that is being worked out in consultation with the provinces, though the details have yet to be unveiled.
Restaurants Canada is calling for a moratorium on restaurant evictions and lockouts. They also say rent-assistance levels should be tied to percentages of decreased revenue, and that such supports need to be sustained as the economy recovers.
“What we’re hearing is … we recognize and we certainly appreciate all of the deferrals and loans that are being offered to us in the short term, but in the long term this is just going to contribute to more permanent closures as this insurmountable debt continues to mount,” von Schellwitz said.
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2:14 Coronavirus: Montreal restaurants struggling to survive
Coronavirus: Montreal restaurants struggling to survive
Many restaurants across Canada have shut down completely during the pandemic, while others are operating on a delivery and takeout basis but not making comparable revenues.
Restaurants Canada said 800,000 people have already lost their jobs, and restaurant sales for the second quarter of 2020 are poised to decline by $20 billion.
The federal government has already announced an emergency wage subsidy of up to 75 per cent for employers. It’s also backing interest-free bank loans of up to $40,000 to help businesses ride out the pandemic.
Restaurants Canada said its survey was conducted between April 15 and 21. The results are based on 914 completed surveys, which the organization said represents a total of 11,856 restaurants across Canada, as many of the respondents have multiple locations.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
