P.E.I. takes action to reduce red tape for Island restaurants

CHARLOTTETOWN, Aug. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Restaurants Canada applauds the P.E.I. government's move to reduce red tape and regulatory hurdles for the Island's restaurants, bars and pubs. Through Project Art (Addressing Red Tape), Restaurants Canada worked closely with the government and the P.E.I. Restaurant and Foodservices Association to identify obstacles that hindered growth, so the industry could better serve its customers.

"This initiative is a good example of the strong working relationship between the restaurant industry and the P.E.I. government," said Bill Allen, Chair of the Board for Restaurants Canada.  "On a personal level, as a restaurant operator with establishments in a number of provinces including P.E.I., this will make it easy to run my business and serve my customers."

Because of Project Art, restaurants can now:

• renew and pay for food and liquor licences electronically;
• provide limited entertainment; and
• enjoy reduced fees for a packaged sale licence.

"With 5,600 jobs on P.E.I., the restaurant industry is the province's third-largest employer and provides more first-time jobs than any other industry," said Bill Allen. "A strong partnership between the government and industry will continue to grow jobs and economic activity throughout the Island."

Restaurants Canada is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant industry. Canada's restaurant industry directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, is the number one source of first jobs, and serves 18 million customers every day.

SOURCE Restaurants Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS: Luc Erjavec, Vice-President Atlantic Canada at 902-209-0804 or [email protected]; Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, Communications Specialist at 1-800-387-5649 ext. 4254, or [email protected]