CRFA meets with Prime Minister Harper
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CRFA's CEO Garth Whyte (far left), Chair Brenda O'Reilly (right) and First Vice Chairman Gerard Curran (far right) present Prime Minister Stephen Harper with a personalized chef jacket. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2009
OTTAWA – The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association delivered an important message about the foodservice industry in a recent meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
CRFA Directors and staff members met with Mr. Harper on Parliament Hill on Oct. 22, during the association’s fall board meetings in Ottawa. CRFA President and CEO Garth Whyte told the Prime Minister about the tremendous contribution the industry makes to the Canadian economy and social fabric.
“Restaurants make an important economic and social contribution to Canada. We are at the heart of every community,” Mr. Whyte told the Prime Minister.
“The business leaders in this room alone represent a combined $14 billion in sales and 300,000 employees,” he added. “We’re not here to ask for money. We’re asking for recognition that the restaurant and foodservice industry is a valued industry in Canada.”
CRFA Chairman Brenda O’Reilly of St. John’s and First Vice Chairman Gerard Curran of Calgary presented Mr. Harper with a personalized chef’s jacket from CRFA.
Canada’s $60-billion foodservice industry is one of the largest employers in the country, providing direct employment for more than one million people in communities from coast to coast.
CRFA is one of Canada's largest business associations, with 33,000 members representing restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers. CRFA works to create an environment that allows foodservice operators in communities across Canada to grow and prosper.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-res photo of the meeting with Prime Minister Harper is available at: http://www.crfa.ca/images/primeministerharper.jpg
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