News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government will provide both financial and program support to the food service industry as it continues to recover from the effects of the global pandemic.

Through WorkingNB, in partnership with Restaurants Canada, a national not-for-profit member-based trade association, the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will provide a time-limited COVID-19 recovery support of up to $500,000 to the province’s food service industry to help offset costs associated with onboarding and training new hires.

“We recognize the pandemic has impacted some sectors to a greater extent than others,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder. “Critical labour shortages have been persistent in the food service industry, and we are committed to being part of the solution by providing financial support to help offset the costs of recruitment, onboarding and training for new employees in this sector.”

Eligible applicants can receive $500 per new hire, up to a maximum of five new hires, and the support will be available to employers until the end of March 2024. Interested restaurateurs, owners and operators can apply online.

The provincial government also committed to continue its advocacy for increased flexibility in immigration programs, which are a shared responsibility between the federal and provincial governments. These programs serve as an important stream for new workers in the food service industry, Holder said.

“We understand the attraction and retention of new Canadians is crucial to helping grow New Brunswick’s population and meeting the needs of employers across the province,” said Arlene Dunn, minister responsible for Immigration and Opportunities NB. “We will continue to advocate on behalf of the industry for fee and regulatory burden reduction to improve access to the federal Temporary Foreign Workers program. Repatriating residents and increasing immigration is key to New Brunswick’s continued growth and prosperity. Together, we are building a more diverse, inclusive, and resilient province.”

The initiative is the result of an engagement session between the industry, WorkingNB and Opportunities NB to discuss labour force needs.

Funding for the initiative is provided through WorkingNB as part of the Canada-New Brunswick Labour Market Agreements and will be administered by Restaurants Canada.

“No other industry was impacted by the pandemic like the food service industry,” said Richard Alexander, Atlantic vice-president for Restaurants Canada. “Pandemic-related debt, labour shortages and inflation have put the industry in a crisis. This partnership between the Government of New Brunswick and Restaurants Canada will help the industry recover and continue to contribute significantly to employment, the economy and tourism sector in New Brunswick.”

Over the coming months, WorkingNB will work closely with the industry to organize recruitment events, host virtual and in-person job fairs designed for Restaurant Canada’s members in New Brunswick.