April 20, 2011, St. John’s – Restaurant operators have little to cheer about in Newfoundland and Labrador’s budget, according to the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
In a press release, the CRFA stated, “In an enviable surplus position due to high oil and mineral prices, the government has instead chosen to spend money towards another election campaign.”
“This budget is a lost opportunity,” said Luc Erjavec, Atlantic Canada vice-president for the CRFA. “Government spending has increased dramatically, with little benefit to the hundreds of restaurants in the province that employ Newfoundlanders and stimulate economic activity in nearly every community in the province. Unfortunately, this budget will do little to drive down Newfoundland’s stubbornly high unemployment rate.”
Newfoundland’s restaurant industry is one of the largest employers in the province, with nearly 15,000 employees. The industry, which includes 1,000 restaurants, caterers and bars, generates an estimated $790 million in total sales.
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