What happened: Restaurants Canada estimates B.C. establishments will lose $2.9 billion over the next three months as the industry deal with closures, social-distancing and operational changes to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Why it matters: The industry organization anticipates between 70,000 and 100,000 jobs will be lost in the months ahead.
Tens of thousands of jobs are at stake as B.C.’s restaurant and food service industry struggles with the economic consequences of COVID-19.
Industry advocate Restaurants Canada is anticipating that between 70,000 and 100,000 jobs will be lost in British Columbia over a three-month period beginning last week.
Mark von Schellwitz, vice-president of Western Canada, says Restaurants Canada is also expecting B.C. establishments to lose $2.9 billion over the same period.
“Our members are very concerned how they’re going to survive the next three months with no sales,” said von Schellwitz.
“It’s been a very, very difficult week,” he said. “I think it’s urgent that the B.C. government step in with additional measures on top of what the federal government has announced to help our members survive the next three months.”
The provincial government is expected to announce some form of economic response plan Monday.
Von Schellwitz told Business in Vancouver that the industry is hoping the province will grant offsale liquor licences to businesses so that they can sell both liquor and food for take-out.
Earlier today, Restaurants Canada released several recommendations to ease the economic burden currently faced by food service businesses across the country.
B.C. also banned restaurants from offering dine-in service until further notice.
“We have to recognize that for the next few months we’re basically going to be a take-out and delivery industry,” said von Schellwitz.
