The amount of Canadian restaurant closures since March of 2020 has reached a staggering 10,000 according to Restaurants Canada. The organization has launched a new campaign called “Picture Life Without Restaurants” in support of the foodservice industry in the midst of this difficult time. Editor's Choice: A Bone-Chilling Polar Vortex Is Sending Wind Chill Temps Of -50 C Across Canada This Week 800,000 Estimated foodservice jobs lost or had hours cut to zero “Before COVID-19, foodservice was the fastest-growing industry in Canada, generating $93 billion in sales in 2019,” writes Restaurants Canada. “Now, half of all local restaurants are at risk of closing within a year.” The organization’s CEO, Todd Barclay, spoke to BNN Bloomberg, saying that no other industry in the country has suffered as much as restaurants during the pandemic. "We are asking consumers to take a stand and show their support for their local restaurants during this crucial time of the year," Barclay said in a statement to BNN. The campaign asks Canadians to visit restaurants if it’s safe and permissible to dine-in, make pick-up and delivery orders, and purchase gift cards. It also encourages people to share the cause on social media along with their favourite restaurant memories as well.
