Some voices in Canada’s hospitality sector are expressing disappointment in the 2025 federal budget for not providing sufficient support to the industry grappling with various challenges such as rising costs, reduced consumer spending, and ongoing staffing shortages.
Sam Brenner, the president of Silverware, a company that provides point-of-sale technology to restaurants, bars, and hotels across the country, believes that the government has overlooked one of the largest employment sectors in the nation.
According to Brenner, the budget lacked measures to address critical issues like alleviating the cost of living, enhancing hospitality training and support, and tackling the labor shortages effectively. He expressed concerns about the tightening federal immigration caps and the lack of a clear plan to replace foreign workers, emphasizing the immediate repercussions this could have on staffing levels.
The 2025 Canadian Hospitality Service Report reveals that in British Columbia, there is a positive outlook after the recent B.C. General Employees’ Union strike, with efforts underway to rebuild liquor distribution in time for the holiday season.
Ian Tostensen, president of the BC Restaurants and Food Services Association, notes that while the situation is improving with most products back in circulation, the shortage of skilled industry workers, estimated at around 15,000 in the province, remains a significant challenge. He emphasizes the need for a more regional and sector-specific approach to immigration to address this shortage effectively.
Tostensen also highlights the positive impact of events like the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series run in boosting the local hospitality sector, but underscores that the persistent labor shortage poses a serious threat to the industry’s sustainability.