From: Mark von Schellwitz [mailto:mark@crfa.ca]
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 5:21 PM
To: [DELETED FOR PRIVACY REASONS]
Subject: AGLC Liquor Policy Change and Labour Shortage Update <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

In following up on member enquiries to CRFA regarding the possibility of easing the restriction on hiring minors for kitchen and non-licensed areas of Class A (minors prohibited) licensed establishments, CRFA convinced the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) to change their minors employment in Class A (minors prohibited) licensed establishments policy. AGLC recognizes the severe labour shortage our industry is experiencing and as a result effective immediately AGLC will consider allowing minors to work in non-licensed areas of Class A (minors prohibited) establishments on a case by case basis except for Class A (minors prohibited) licensed establishments featuring nude entertainment. Those of you with Class A (minors prohibited) licenses who are interested in hiring minors to work in your kitchens should contact AGLCs Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs Gerry McLennan at 780-447-8821 or gerry.mclennan@aglc.gov.ab.ca. <o:p></o:p>

I would also like to update you on recent meetings CRFA held on the labour shortage issue.  CRFA continues to work with labour force development officials on finalizing the Tourism and Hospitality labour force development sub-strategy. Industry stakeholders including CRFA and the Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry will be announcing the sub-strategy sometime in April. CRFA met with the Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry last week and was encouraged by the Ministers response to our labour shortage submission where she confirmed that the Government of Alberta would be implementing most of CRFAs recommendations. The province will be expanding the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) significantly (by as much as 2,500/year over the next four years) including expanding the number of lesser skilled occupations allowed by through PNP. Expect an announcement in the coming weeks.<o:p></o:p>

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While the news was good on the labour shortage issue it was not good on the minimum wage issue. The Minister informed CRFA of her intention to announce an increase the minimum wage to $8.00/hour in the coming months. CRFA representatives informed her that this will only increase already over inflated wage increases (18.7% foodservice wage growth since 2004, nearly double Albertas general wage growth) and will hinder operators ability to attract the already difficult to recruit non-gratuity earning back of the house employees.  CRFA requested that the Minister consider a gratuity wage differential similar to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>s as a way to mitigate the negative consequences of another minimum wage increase.<o:p></o:p>

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CRFA also met with Alberta Service Canada officials with respect to implementing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) changes announced recently. CRFA was pleased the federal government responded to CRFAs recommendations to extend the duration of work permits for lesser skilled NOC C&D occupations to 24 months and simplify and expedite the TFWP process by allowing on-line applications (April 1^st) and processing Labour Market Opinion (LMO) and Citizenship and Immigration work permit processes concurrently. CRFA was also pleased to hear that additional human resources will be added to the Alberta Service Canada office to reduce the LMO application processing time and that LMO applications for occupations on the pressure occupation list (includes most foodservice occupations) will be fast tracked for processing.<o:p></o:p>

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I would also like to inform you that CRFAs website has been updated to include a provincial portal which will allow <st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State> members to get updates on <st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State> issues and CRFAs <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alberta</st1:place></st1:State> specific submissions and letters. CRFAs <st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State> labour shortage submission and other labour shortage information is posted on the <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alberta</st1:place></st1:State> section of www.crfa.ca. <o:p></o:p>

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If you have any questions with respect to the above please let me know.<o:p></o:p>

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Cheers, Mark<o:p></o:p>

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Mark von Schellwitz
Vice President, <st1:place w:st="on">Western Canada
</st1:place>Canadian Restaurant & Foodservices Association
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">#2410 - 555 West Hastings Street
</st1:address></st1:Street><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">P.O. Box</st1:Street> 12125
</st1:address><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vancouver</st1:place></st1:City>, B.C.
V6B 4N6<o:p></o:p>

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Phone 604-685-9655
Toll Free 1-866-300-7675
e-mail mark@crfa.ca
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Web Site www.crfa.ca<o:p></o:p>

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