From rising credit card fees to the threat of harmonized sales taxes, Canada’s foodservice industry faces hundreds of challenges to its survival, each and every day.  It’s only with your help that we are able to achieve the significant legislative wins that help the industry grow and prosper.

Here are just a few ways you can learn more about the top issues facing foodservice … and how you can help:

Learn more…

1. Visit CRFA.ca’s topic pages

Regularly updated with the latest legistlative updates and CRFA activities, these topic  pages provide the background information you’ll need to get up-to-speed:

Agriculture Trade Beverage Alcohol Credit and Debit Card Fees Dairy Prices Drive-thrus Employment Standards Environmental Issues Flu Pandemic Food Safety and Supply

GST and Harmonization Labour Legislation         Labour Shortage Minimum Wage Music Royalties Nutrition and Fitness Payroll Taxes Workers' Compensation

2. Visit CRFA.ca’s regional pages

If you’re not sure what the hot issues are in your part of the country, check out these pages, updated regularly with the latest news and statistics affecting your business:

Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta) Manitoba/Saskatchewan Ontario Quebec

Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) Federal

3. Sign up for CRFA News (e-newsletter)

Subscribing to CRFA’s free monthly e-newsletter is one of the easiest ways to stay up-to-date on hot issues, new research and special offers.  Registration takes just a few minutes – sign up today!

4. Subscribe to CRFA.ca RSS feeds

CRFA offers three RSS feeds that deliver the latest industry news and research to you the moment it is posted on CRFA.ca.  Visit our RSS Feeds page for more information.

1. Sign our online and fax-back petitions

CRFA is committed to making it easy for busy operators to share their concerns with elected representatives.  Increasingly, you’ll notice that CRFA campaigns are incorporating online and fax-back petitions – just complete them at your convenience and CRFA will ensure that your comments are delivered directly to the top decision-makers! 

You can identify these types of campaigns by the “ACT NOW” icon on the home page (), or contact your local membership representative or CRFA office for details on ongoing campaigns.

2. Speak up during elections

Federal and provincial elections are an ideal opportunity for restaurateurs to reach the politicians vying for positions in the next government.

During election time, CRFA creates online election tool kits to help operators learn more about the top election issues, the strength and scope of the local industry and how to contact and meet with candidates.  CRFA also routinely asks parties for their positions on the issues that matter most to foodservice operators and posts them online. 

For more information about our online election tool kits, check out a recent example: British Columbia Votes (May 12, 2009).

3. Contact CRFA staff

Current and prospective CRFA members with questions about our government affairs activities are always welcome to contact local CRFA staff for insights and assistance.  Our network of local membership representatives and five regional CRFA offices are always happy to answer any questions you might have about the top issues and how you can lend your voice to our ongoing campaigns.

4. Join CRFA’s Community Lobby

CRFA members also have exclusive access to the CRFA Community Lobby, a password-protected site designed to help operators connect with other members and fight back against damaging legislation.