Changes to liquor fees good news for Alberta restaurants and bars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2009
VANCOUVER – Restaurant and bar owners in Alberta support yesterday’s announcement by Premier Stelmach to immediately rescind the increases to the provincial markup on beverage alcohol included in April’s budget.
“This news couldn’t come at a better time for Alberta operators, who are now entering the busy summer season,” says Mark von Schellwitz, Vice President, Western Canada for the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA). “Additional alcohol beverage fees combined with rising minimum wage increases and declining sales are squeezing restaurant operators and we're pleased that government is recognizing that now is not the time for more taxes.”
CRFA and the Alberta Liquor Industry Round Table voiced strong opposition to the markups, which increased the cost of beer, wine and spirits sold to licensees by an average of 30%, and thank the premier and the government of Alberta for listening to the concerns of small business.
Alberta’s 8,900 foodservice establishments directly employ nearly 114,000 people, making it one of the province’s largest private-sector employers.
CRFA is one of Canada's largest business associations, with 33,000 members representing independent and chain restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers. Canada's $60-billion foodservice industry employs more than one million people in communities across the country.- 30 -