P.E.I. takes action to reduce red tape for restaurants

Charlottetown – Prince Edward Island has taken steps to reduce red tape and regulatory hurdles for the province’s restaurants, bars and pubs, and Restaurants Canada is applauding the move.

Through Project Art (Addressing Red Tape), Restaurants Canada worked closely with the government and the P.E.I. Restaurant and Foodservices Association to identify obstacles that hindered growth, so the industry could better serve its customers, the association said in a news release.

“This initiative is a good example of the strong working relationship between the restaurant industry and the P.E.I. government,” said Bill Allen, Chair of the Board for Restaurants Canada, in the release. “On a personal level, as a restaurant operator with establishments in a number of provinces including P.E.I., this will make it easy to run my business and serve my customers.”

Because of Project Art, restaurants can now renew and pay for food and liquor licences electronically; provide limited entertainment; and enjoy reduced fees for a packaged sale licence.

“With 5,600 jobs on P.E.I., the restaurant industry is the province’s third-largest employer and provides more first-time jobs than any other industry,” Allen said. “A strong partnership between the government and industry will continue to grow jobs and economic activity throughout the Island.”