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ASSOCIATION RESTAURATION QUÉBEC

Editor-in-chief:

Writers:

Dominique Tremblay | Martin Vézina | Vincent Woerner

Graphic design:

Advertising Tel.: 514 527-9801/1 800 463-4237

ARQ Info is published six times a year by the public affairs department of Association Restauration Québec. The articles may be reproduced without permission, provided that the source is mentioned.

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Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec Bibliothèque Nationale du Canada 494386 D No ISSN : 1199-3472

ASSOCIATION RESTAURATION QUÉBEC

6880, Louis-H.-La Fontaine Montréal (Québec) H1M 2T2 Tel.: 514 527-9801 or toll free, 1 800 463-4237

Email: respub@restauration.org restauration.org

The mission of the Association is to provide all of restaurateurs in Quebec complete services of information, training, discounts, insurance and government representation.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2023-2024

Chairperson of the Board of Directors: Ms Danielle Beaulieu, Vice-chairperson: Mr. Tony Priftakis, Secretary Treasurer: Mr. Éric Marin, ARQ CEO:

Administrators:

Mr. Billy Bastien, Mr. Steeve Gros-Louis, Ms Valérie Kennedy, (Sainte-Thérèse)

Mr. Martin Lévesque, Mr. Jean-Philippe Martin, Mr. Érick Tremblay,

Ex officio chairman:

Mr. Hugues Philippin,

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

The Michelin Guide Is Coming to Quebec

The first Quebec edition of the Michelin Guide will be available by spring 2025, thanks to an agreement between the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec, of which the ARQ is a member, and the French company.

This agreement makes Quebec the first Canadian province to host a Michelin Guide throughout its territory, despite Toronto and Vancouver having had their respective city edition since 2022.

A FAVOURABLE ECONOMIC OUTCOME

Michelin granting stars to Quebec restaurants will not only become an asset for our own culinary tourism, but also an international acknowledgement of the

Quebec gastronomy. The latter is expected to have a significant economic impact on gourmet tourism businesses, as well as a ripple effect on other segments of tourism.

In order for the Michelin Guide to come to Quebec, the federal government, through the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, has granted the Alliance a non-repayable contribution of Convention internationale $450 000 over a three-year time span.

THE ARQ IS THRILLED FOR WHAT’S TO COME

The ARQ has no doubt that the arrival of the Michelin Guide in La Belle Province

will shine a light on the ample amount of talent in the kitchens and dining rooms of Quebec restaurants, in addition to promoting the province’s culinary culture on an international scale.

Note that there will be no printed version of the Michelin Guide for Quebec. The directory will be found on the Michelin Guide website and app.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Creation of a Tourism Employment-Sharing Platform

The Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT) recently announced the official launch of a job-sharing digital platform for the tourism industry, Boomerang. The online resource is meant for tourism businesses and employees alike, the latter being pre-approved and recommended by other employers. Boomerang will connect these two groups in order to meet the one-off or regular labour needs in the tourism industry.

A REMEDY TO SEASONAL LABOUR SHORTAGES?

According to the CQRHT, Boomerang will be particularly useful for staff and business owners in seasonal establishments, or those where activity levels differ greatly from season to season. Thus, an employee working in a ski resort café during the colder months, for example, could be paired with the management of a business with high summer traffic, such as a dairy bar.

In order to promote the use of Boomerang in the tourism industry, the CQRHT is inviting employers to take advantage of a three-month free subscription to the platform for companies that sign up now. Thereafter, the monthly subscription will be $40 for businesses with 10 or fewer employees, and $135 for those with more than 50 employees.

Boomerang receives support from the Ministry of Tourism for its province-wide implementation over the next two years.

To learn more about Boomerang, visit boomerang-emplois.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

Staff Well-Being as a Retention Tool

Despite a slight upturn in recent months, labour scarcity remains a significant challenge in the restaurant industry. Although encouraging young talent, as well as recruiting both locally and internationally can mitigate a slim workforce, staff retention remains an essential part of any HR strategy. Increasingly, workplace well-being plays a key role in retention. ARQ Info outlines a few ways for your employees and managers to be — and remain! — happy campers.

In Quebec, as elsewhere on the globe, the restaurant industry must face the same issue: revolving doors. British mental health organization focusing on hospitality professionals The Burnt Chef found, by taking the pulse of the restaurant industry in different places around the world, that the annual staff turnover rate was between 60% and 125% — a much higher proportion than the Canadian average, all industries, of 15.5% in 2023, according to the research firm Mercer. The Burnt Chef also found that hiring costs, including recruitment and training, cost an average of $3700 per position filled in the country.

One aspect that restaurateurs should seriously consider is redirecting part of their efforts to retaining the workforce they already have. Ensuring the longevity of your current team through various strategies can greatly minimize your recruitment efforts in the future.

A PROFITABLE ENDEAVOUR

A 2022 survey by food delivery company Doordash, titled The Impact of Benefits on Recruitment and Retention in the Restaurant Industry, found that 86% of restaurant employees surveyed who are

dissatisfied with their benefits would be more likely to remain in their current position if those benefits improved.

This observation resonates with the experience of Dave Lortie, a professional chef specializing in microbreweries with 12 years of experience working in various positions in the restaurant industry. This Montrealer believes that a form of health benefits would be “greatly beneficial, especially for [staff wishing to] start a family.”

Thus, investing in approaches and practices that promote the well-being of your teams to ensure their future longevity may prove to be more rewarding than you would have thought.

FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS

While restaurant managers are adept at recognizing and preventing potential physical hazards in the workplace, the same consideration is rarely given to psychological safety.

Hassel Aviles, executive director at Not 9 to 5, a Canadian organization focused on the mental health and well-being of food

service professionals, knows this well. Having worked more than 15 years in the restaurant industry, before owning her own restaurant in Toronto and then a food event business, the professional believes it crucial to “manage the risks related to stress, mental health and mental illness with the same importance as those related to physical injuries.” Notably, she refers to the many studies in neurology demonstrating that mental and physical hurt are treated in the same way by the brain.

Hassel Aviles recommends that owners ensure “their restaurant remains a work environment in which their staff wants to work.” For this purpose, she invites managers to “acquire the skills they don’t [necessarily] have,” including “skills related to psychological safety, so that their employees can come to work as themselves.”

INVESTING IN APPROACHES AND PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR TEAMS TO ENSURE THEIR FUTURE LONGEVITY MAY PROVE TO BE MORE REWARDING THAN YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.

RETHINKING THE WAY THINGS GO

Kris Hall, former hospitality professional and founder of The Burnt Chef, specifies that the restaurant industry is a sector in which skills are “easy to transfer from one place to another in the world”, thus faces “the same pitfalls globally.”

According to him, the fast-paced nature of the industry can foster a “lack of training of management in human resources,” which can lead to overworked managers “who can hardly show the example of an effective work-life balance.” He recommends that managers “invest in themselves by taking the time to soul-search” and reflect on the improvements to be made to their management practices, as well as to think about their own work-life balance.

In Quebec, Xavier Gret, executive director of the Conseil québécois de ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT), with more than 30 years of experience in the tourism sector, advises managers to focus their efforts on three major aspects of staff management: “welcoming and training new workers, follow-up meetings and performance reviews of current employees, and exit interviews.”

Indeed, CQRHT data show that “these aspects are very deficient in tourism” and that “only 30% of people surveyed by the

ALL EARS FOR YOUR TEAM

Moreover, Hassel Aviles of Not 9 to 5 suggests that managers “create proper systems of feedback.” This not only allows managers “to make data-driven decisions,” but also “to identify shortcomings and ensure employees have what they need to perform well.”

Kris Hall also emphasizes “the need to act with empathy and take the time to make

XAVIER GRET, ADVISES MANAGERS TO FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON THREE MAJOR ASPECTS OF STAFF MANAGEMENT:

“WELCOMING AND TRAINING NEW WORKERS, FOLLOW-UP MEETINGS AND PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES, AND EXIT INTERVIEWS.”

yourself available to your employees,” noting that this change in mindset can go a long way. He explains that you can’t “start being compassionate when an employee is down in the dumps.”

If you’re not sure where to start or which steps to take in your workforce retention project, ARQ can lend you a hand. Our partner TELUS Health offers a whole range of services tailored to prevention and

health and safety in the workplace, including HR services that can guide you in the right direction.

See You on November 12!

The annual general meeting of the members of the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ) will only take place in person this year, but it will still be livestreamed on our Facebook page. Thus, on Tuesday, November 12, you will be able to attend this event which will take place at the Espace Shawinigan, 1882, rue Cascade, Shawinigan. From 8:30 a.m., you will be able to read:

• A summary of the actions and positions taken over the past year

• The treasurer’s report

• Answers to questions asked by members

• The appointment of the members of the board of directors 2024-2025.

You may already register on our website to take part in this general meeting and in the annual event as a whole, the RDV Élan 2024, which has been programmed around the theme of “Redrawing the Future of the Restaurant Industry”. Full details of this day, which promises to be packed with content, can be found on page 23 and at restauration.org/rdv

We hope to see you in large numbers on November 12, in Shawinigan!

MEV-WEB: The ARQ Calls for a Smoother Transition

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance, Éric Girard, at the beginning of September, the ARQ expressed its concerns about the May 31, 2025, deadline for the implementation of the cloud version of the physical sales registration module (SRM, or MEV in French), the MEV-WEB.

The ARQ proposes instead to link the obligation to migrate to the MEV-WEB for an establishment with a physical SRM to the operation of the latter. Your Association thus advocates for a gradual replacement: when the physical SRM of a restaurant dies, the owner will have to migrate to the cloud solution.

This would allow a more orderly transition period for the industry and would be more financially justified for establishments.

HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE WALL

Recalling that the transition to the online version of SRMs will have to be completed within less than a year, and taking into account the availability of resources among MEV-WEB certified system installers, the ARQ fears that several restaurants will find themselves without an operational system next spring.

Your Association wants to avoid cases in which business owners would have to temporarily cease their activities due to the absence of an operational MEV-WEB within the prescribed timeframe. It therefore calls for a smoother transition than the one currently planned by the government.

AN EXPENSIVE NEW MODEL

Admittedly, the arrival of the MEV-WEB has turned into an extremely costly new

YOUR ASSOCIATION THUS ADVOCATES FOR A GRADUAL REPLACEMENT: WHEN THE PHYSICAL SRM OF A RESTAURANT DIES, THE OWNER WILL HAVE TO MIGRATE TO THE CLOUD SOLUTION.

regulatory element, mainly due to suppliers of point-of-sale (POS) systems, who saw a golden opportunity to offer MEV-WEB compatibility on recent equipment only. This now forces many restaurant owners such as yourself to make significant hardware changes.

What’s more, these suppliers are taking this as an opportunity to convert you to a business model based on a monthly subscription rather than the purchase of a perpetual licence, thereby incurring high recurring costs to your establishments.

The ARQ will of course keep you informed of any action taken in response to its request for a reassessment of the timetable for the transition to the MEV-WEB.

Tips In Focus

Well rooted in the North American restaurant culture, tips are now found in a majority of food service establishments in Quebec as a form of compensation for service staff in addition to the hourly rate in place.

However, big tips are not always a benefit for Quebec restaurateurs, despite the popular belief that they favour restaurant owners.

In an interview with the La Presse team last August, Martin Vézina, vice-president of public and government affairs for the ARQ, highlighted this issue, stating that the Association “wants to debunk the myth that big tips suit the restaurant owner.”

GENEROSITY HAS A (HEFTY) PRICE

Indeed, large tips burden restaurant owners with various employer contribution-related fees.

In the same La Presse piece mentioned above, François Pageau, professor of management at the Institut de tourisme et d ‘hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), explained that “with the widespread use of payment modules, tips paid to servers are increasing. However, this great generosity of customers, who sometimes leave a large sum in spite of themselves, undermines the profitability of the restaurant.”

For over two decades now, employers have no longer been allowed to keep a percentage of tips paid by credit card to cover their administration costs. Credit card usage fees are therefore charged to owners and these costs increase in proportion to the total amount paid with the card — amount including both the original bill and the tips added to it.

EMPLOYER CHARGES THAT HIT HARD

Currently, since tips are considered a salary, employers are required to take the amount of tips into account when paying out statutory holidays to their staff.

As such, you are required to pay out 1/20 of the salary and tips received in the last four full weeks of pay prior to the week of the holiday to a tipped employee working full-time at your restaurant. While this ensures a more stable income for your staff members, you find yourself outlaying contributions on amounts you’ve never collected.

Restaurant owners must also pay other various contributions on the total salary of their staff, with tips, including the Quebec Pension Plan, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec, employment insurance, labour regulation entities, occupational accidents and illnesses, as well as parental insurance. Since 2003, the tax credit on these contributions has been reduced to only 75% of the amount of these contributions.

THE ARQ’S DEMANDS

In order to rebalance the remuneration of different positions in a restaurant, in addition to mitigating the labour shortage in the kitchens of restaurants, your Association is working on getting you the right to initiate the establishment of a gratuity-related agreement in your business.

This right would allow you to set up, if you wish, a tip-sharing agreement in your restaurant, which you are not entitled to as of now.

The ARQ is also requesting a 100% reinstatement of tax credits on the amount of contributions resulting from tips.

Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

In late August, two levels of government, provincial and federal, announced major changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): a temporary freeze on applications in Montréal and restrictions on positions eligible for the program.

OTTAWA’S TURN TO PUT THE HEAT ON

Since September 26, the changes announced by Ottawa have come into effect:

- The Government of Canada will refuse to process LMIAs in the low-wage

Also, let us remember that business owners use the TFWP as a last resort. No restaurant owner would rather pay over $5000 in fees and costs to bring in a foreign worker, if workers were already available on the territory.

Where Are We at on No Shows?

Unfortunately, the no show phenomenon continues to plague the restaurant industry. Indeed, situations such as those during which a consumer books reservations in several establishments before choosing one to go to with their guests at the last minute, are still commonplace. In 2023, only 2.8% of restaurateurs surveyed by the ARQ claimed never to have been victims of this harmful practice! For 66.2% of restaurants, more than 10 customers per week do not show up without bothering to cancel their reservation.

In concrete terms, the weekly losses generated by no shows are estimated at $1196 in franchise restaurants and $832 in independent establishments. In other words, the practice of not honouring

reservations costs restaurant owners of all types an average of $49 178.26 a year.

A RIGHT TO SANCTION NO SHOW PERPETRATORS

For now, under section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, it is impossible for a restaurateur to set a fee in advance for a customer who does not honour their reservation. The ARQ believes that a regulatory framework is necessary to allow restaurateurs to impose a symbolic financial penalty in the event of a reservation not showing up. The aim of these penalties would not be to compensate for all the losses caused by those reckless cancellations, but rather to change the habits of delinquent consumers, thereby curbing evil at its root.

ECONOMY

A Positive Summer Review for Montréal and Québec

Tourists are back in force! In August, Tourisme Montréal published its mid-season report on the city’s summer tourism activity. The data for the months of May, June and July reflect a 4.8% increase in the number of visitors compared to the same period in 2023.

These positive figures confirm the tourist attractiveness of the Quebec metropolis, positioning it as a destination of choice for domestic and international tourists.

As for Québec-Cité, the organization responsible for the promotion of tourism in the city of Québec, the figures are less favourable. The hotel occupancy rate was the same as the previous year, at 78.1%,

despite the number of rented units up 3.1% compared to July 2023.

Bear in mind that last year, tourism in the Quebec City region generated nearly $682 million in gross earnings for salaried workers, as well as revenues of nearly $100 million for individual business owners.

Of these amounts, the restaurant and bar sector had collected 15.3% of tourism spending revenues.

WHAT ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION HOLIDAY WEEKS?

When we surveyed our members in the run-up to the construction holidays, it

Considering that the phenomenon of no shows extends to other sectors such as hotels or golf courses and that it is increasingly condemned by the public, an evolution of this issue could be within reach. Rest assured that your Association will continue to work actively in this direction.

TOURISTS ARE BACK IN FORCE! IN AUGUST, TOURISME MONTRÉAL PUBLISHED ITS MID-SEASON REPORT ON THE CITY’S SUMMER TOURISM ACTIVITY. THE DATA FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY, JUNE AND JULY REFLECT A 4.8% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VISITORS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2023.

emerged that for 42% of our respondents, these two weeks remain one of the most lucrative periods of the year (20%) or slightly more lucrative than average (22%).

On the other hand, 37% said it was a less lucrative period than average.

The responses were therefore mixed, although they do indicate that summer remains a busy season for the province’s restaurant sector.

INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIONS

Working Behind The Scenes For Your Benefit

This summer, ARQ representatives met with the Ministry of the Environment to ensure that the draft regulations on the management of organic matter do not disrupt the day-to-day operations of our industry. Good news for the restaurant sector: this project is finally postponed to 2027!

During the summer, the ARQ also met with the Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons (AQRCB) and RECYC-QUÉBEC to work out the details of the future deposit collection system. Last August, your Association met with the executive director of the city of Terrebonne about the project to ban disposable dishes for on-site consumption. Your representatives have made the city official

aware of the difficulties and expenses entailed by this ban, particularly in terms of installing dishwashers and plumbing systems. Subsidies should make it possible to reduce these difficulties depending on the city.

CN AND CPKC EMPLOYEE STRIKE

At the end of August, the ARQ participated in a meeting on the labour dispute in the rail sector to ensure the maintenance of the supply of our sector, especially propane.

MEV-WEB

The ARQ sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance requesting that the MEV-WEB installation deadline be abolished. Instead, the ARQ proposes to link the obligation to migrate to the MEV-WEB for

HUMAN RESOURCES

an establishment with a physical SRM to the operation of the latter (see page 11).

CITY OF MONTRÉAL

In response to the scandal surrounding the forced closure of terraces in the middle of the Montréal Grand Prix, representatives of your Association met Éricka Alneus, who is responsible for the city’s gastronomy affairs, along with Sandra Ferreira, one of the restaurant owners affected by the zeal of the city’s fire prevention service. The issues of police interventions and abusive regulations were discussed.

Reminder of Anti-Harassment Policy Obligations

Following the anti-harassment laws that were incorporated into Quebec legislation in 2019, new provisions aimed at countering sexual harassment have been added to the measures required by labour standards in Quebec workplaces.

The changes that were not yet in effect since last March took effect on September 27 of this year.

NEW MEASURES

The first measure, which has already been in force for a few months, concerns the expansion of the legal definition of harassment. From now on, the definition of sexual violence is added to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (French: Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail). The time to file a claim for an

occupational injury resulting from this violence will also be extended from six months to two years.

Moreover, people who report a situation of harassment they have witnessed will now benefit from protection against retaliation.

SANCTIONS AND INDEMNITIES

In order to ensure the confidentiality of the employee’s medical file, sanctions in the event of a breach affecting the non-disclosure of this file are provided for the employer, the person they authorize and the health professional they designate. In addition, the cost of benefits for work-related injuries resulting from sexual violence is now shared between all employers.

WHAT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN ALL THIS?

Regardless of the measures already in force or those to come, it is crucial to understand that the employer’s obligation is one of means rather than one of results, and that simply having a written policy is not enough. You must clearly demonstrate that situations of harassment are not acceptable in your establishment and bring the policy to life by talking about it regularly and openly.

By October 1, 2025, you will also be required to include the training offered, the investigation process and the confidentiality of the handling of complaints or reports in your establishment’s prevention program or action plan.

A Record Sum of $2,4M Paid to Participating Members

An unprecedented tally in the history of the ARQ’s Purchasing Program! A quarterly rebate of $2,4M has been paid to participating members in mid-September.

The historical amount was shared between 2 523 lucky program adherents for their purchases during the second quarter of 2024, with an average of $882 per member. One of the claimers even received the amount of $22 103,83!

If you are also looking to maximize your rebate, and perhaps even receive the biggest cheque yourself, get in touch with your Purchasing Program representative. They will be in a position to identify the partners and purchases available to ensure

you save the most dough and further benefit from your rebate.

EVEN MORE REBATES WITH ENTEGRA! Moreover, the ARQ’s Purchasing Program had your interests in mind when renewing the deal with Entegra. Thus, since July 1st, members who completed purchases through the second-biggest Program partner have been benefitting, on average, from a 10% rebate.

Proud ARQ partner since 2019, Entegra groups over 80 manufacturers and offer an extensive catalogue of products essential to the smooth running of yous establishments.

To learn more about the rebate options offered by Entegra, take a peek at the Entegra Purchasing Guide or get in touch with your ARQ’s Purchasing Program representative.

You can also visit our website to find out more about the advantages of being a participating member in the ARQ’s Purchasing Program at restauration.org/papp

ANNUAL EVENT

RDV Élan 2024: Redrawing the Future of the Restaurant Industry

The 2024 edition of the ARQ’s annual event will take place on November 12, at the Espace Shawinigan, Shawinigan, a place conducive to innovation and creativity. The RDV Élan 2024, a new denomination, will encompass both conferences and a discovery trail.

The ARQ has thus designed a content-rich program in collaboration with specialists of the restaurant industry, in order to pique your curiosity and give you better tools to excel in your profession.

After the annual general meeting of members which will take place at the start of the morning (see page 11), there will be discussions with the food services management of the Olympic Village of Paris 2024 and on the vision of the SAQ Restauration.

TOOLS AND DISCUSSIONS

During the discovery trail, restaurateurs will be able to learn more about food waste recovery with La Tablée des Chefs, food processing to limit food waste with La Transformerie, technological support with the ITHQ Centre of Expertise or the job placement program for asylum seekers by the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT).

Participants will also have the opportunity to get answers to their questions on current issues during the “Chat with us!” segment, in which will take part the ARQ’s public and government affairs team, Ariane de Warren, sales manager — business customers at the SAQ, MEV-WEB specialists and the Centre de transfert des entreprises du Québec.

To learn more about the full program, and to purchase your tickets, check out restauration.org

Advantages of an ARQ Membership

The mission of the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ) is to provide all member restaurateurs throughout Quebec with comprehensive information, training, discounts, insurance, and government representation services. Today, it is composed of 5 300 members!

SAVINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Thanks to several major partnerships, ARQ members can benefit from significant savings on their daily fees.

Potential saving of $11 000 per year, and more:

ARQ’s Purchasing Program

ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR INFORMATION!

Did you know that ARQ members have access to information officers who can answer any questions regarding legislation, regulation, and other restaurant-related matters? It’s simple and free of charge (service included in membership).

$3 020 Visa

$2 475

$1 170 Occupational health and safety mutual

Legal service

$2 754

30 minutes free - 15% on fees

LARGEST PURCHASING PROGRAM IN QUEBEC!

Since 2006, the Purchasing Program has made considerable savings possible for ARQ members, while also obtaining discounts on their purchases from over 100 partners!

The ARQ’s Purchasing Program:

> Almost 3 100 participating members

> $7 800 000 in rebate paid out in 2022-2023

> A “wine and spirits” offer

> A purchasing volume of $318 million from program partners

DEFENDING YOUR INTERESTS!

The ARQ is a key player and an essential voice in all matters that may in some form affect restaurants in Quebec. Some results achieved by the ARQ:

> Relaxation of laws and regulations governing alcohol sale and service

> COVID-19 federal and provincial assistance

> Implementation of the single permit per establishment category

> Maintaining the tax credit on tips declaration

Me Dominique Senécal DHC Avocats

Facebook, Instagram and TikToK in the workplace

Most employees today spend time on various social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and many more. Unsurprisingly, these platforms are also being used more and more in the workplace.

The use of this technology for personal purposes during working hours may constitute theft of company time and affect employee productivity. It is therefore a sufficiently serious ground for imposing disciplinary measures.

To impose such measures, employers must have a policy and rules on the use of these technologies for personal purposes during working hours.

DECREASED PRODUCTIVITY

An employee who disregards an employer’s rules or policies constitutes insubordination. When employees use personal social media during work hours, their productivity can obviously be affected; courts have already found that inappropriate use of these technologies for personal purposes during working hours is serious enough to be grounds for dismissal. It is important to bear in mind, however, that disciplinary measures should be applied progressively in accordance with the severity of the insubordination. Each case is unique and should therefore be assessed and processed on an individual basis.

However, every employer should have a policy on technology in the workplace, including potential disciplinary measures for infractions. This policy should also distinguish between the official use of social media (for example, for professional networking) and personal use, and specify the consequences of the latter.

New

BY POLAR PAK®

We continue to offer the best options. Ultra-light cutlery made of laminated pressed paper is suitable for both hot and cold foods and, we now have a new polypropylene cutlery alternative for our Cutlerease® cutlery dispenser with improved rigidity.

STATUS

Good News for the Fondation ARQ and Its Donors

The Fondation ARQ is pleased to announce that it has officially become a registered charity. This is great recognition from the government, confirming that our actions are having a tangible impact on students in our industry.

Thus, donors will now have the chance to benefit from official donation receipts.

They will also be further assured that the Fondation will dedicate the funds from which it benefits solely to its mission.

As a result of this change in status, the Fondation hopes to increase the number of grants it awards to students in the restaurant industry every year.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Fondation ARQ Supports the Next Generation

In spite of a relatively quiet summer, several students were able to complete their courses, thanks in part to the Fondation’s support.

Thus, Annie, Delphine, Sophie and MarieAndrée, students of the École hôtelière de la Capitale, completed their internship in various renowned Relais Desserts and other

well-known pastry shops in Alsace, France. The students had a wonderful experience and had access to up-to-date environments. They received an exceptional welcome. The students worked hard and acquired both professional and personal skills.

The Fondation is also a partner in two competitions organized by the Société des chefs, cuisiniers et pâtissiers du Québec. Bursaries were awarded to students taking part in the competition for the best apprentice chef in Quebec, which was held at the Pavillon de l’Avenir in Rivière-du-Loup on October 6 and 7 of last year, as well as the competition for the best apprentice pastry chef and chocolate maker, which took place on October 8 at L’Académie du Chocolat in Montréal.

Do not hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to contribute!

MISSION

The Fondation ARQ’s mission is to promote education among students and workers in the industry by awarding scholarships, thereby encouraging them to develop and perfect their skills and qualifications.

Fondation ARQ is involved in and plans various activities, campaigns and events dedicated to encouraging excellence and the development of workforce training in the restaurant industry.

We Pay Tribute to the Involvement of These Companies in Our Organization

AV-TECH

With the support of more than 350 employees working in more than 700 buildings throughout Quebec, av-tech can meet all your needs in managing a building. The company can take charge of maintenance activities and supervise equipment operations. Their team will bring you versatility and expertise.

Denis Chabot

Tel: 418 805-5242 globatech.ca

CADEXAIR

Cadexair is a company specializing in the manufacturing, maintenance, cleaning and inspection of ventilation systems for commercial kitchens in Quebec. Serving restaurants and restaurant chains, thousands of kitchen professionals around the world have opted for our advantageous and environmentally friendly solutions.

Jean-Philippe Trudeau

Tel: 450 804-2289 cadexair.com

AMEUBLEMENT DE BUREAU LA CAPITALE

Ameublement de Bureau

La Capitale offers new and used office furniture for your business. They can also repair your chairs and filing cabinets, develop plans for an office layout or have custom furniture made.

Pierre-Antoine Garneau

Tel: 418 686-1212

bureaulacapitale.com

LOGIA

Loggia supports all types of professionals in their digital transformation process, providing visibility solutions across all existing web and print mediums. Thanks to its strong values, it has become one of the key players in digital development in Quebec.

Yoan Lombard

Tel: 514 603-3567 logia-inc.com

OATBOX GROUP INC.

From their oat beverages to their oat snacks, without forgetting their overnight oats, Oatbox’s mission is to offer Canadian oat products that taste better, are healthier and better for the planet. Snacks. Dessert. Breakfast. Midnight low. Their oat products are always delicious.

Ruxandra Botezatu

Tel: 514 473-5456 oatbox.com

AQUA PRO-JET

Pressure cleaning. Kitchen hoods and ventilation. Sale and rental of filters.

AMANGO CACAO

Gogbeu and Lydie are two chocolate lovers. Their chocolate adventure began several years ago in Côte d’Ivoire. At the time, Gogbeu was the director of a cocoa export cooperative with over 2000 producers. Meanwhile, Lydie worked for a cocoa export company. Together, they dreamed of contributing to the creation of strong cooperatives and providing cocoa farmers with a better quality of life.

Gogbeu Ouehi Tel: 514 458-4716 amangocacao.com

CQRHT

For more than 25 years, the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT) has been delivering relevant information, providing the right tools, and working with its partners to implement innovative, structural initiatives designed to benefit both tourism businesses and their employees.

Gabriel Vaillancourt

Tel: 450 651-1099 – 223 cqrht.qc.ca

DECK TO/GO

DECK TO/GO is the solution for your outdoor terrace projects. It is a simple, effective, reliable, durable, ecological and trendy product! Modular terraces can easily create: a gazebo floor, terrace, roof terrace, street terrace, sidewalk terrace, condo terrace, as well as all your creative projects. A multitude of accessories are available.

DWYER DISTILLERIE GASPÉSIENNE

We distill gin, whisky and prepare liqueurs from carefully chosen grain and spice recipes. Through our elaboration and ageing techniques, we want to highlight the richness of Gaspé history and culture, while sharing our passion for innovation and technology.

Frédéric Jacques

Tel: 418 360-0160 odwyerdistillery.com

LES EMBALLAGES 123

Les Emballages 1.2.3 is a company that specializes in the distribution of packaging products for food packaging as well as shipping packaging. We can meet the demands of retailers, from a simple product to protect your shipments to a high-end paper bag custom-designed for you.

Geneviève Paradis Tel: 514 788-5047 emballages123.com

GASTRONOMIA

Since 1998, Gastronomia has been the specialist for frozen products of exceptional quality in Canada. From starters to desserts, including appetizers and coffee breaks, among their 250 products you’ll find solutions to liven up your menus.

Pascal Letellier

Tel: 819 868-2720 aquaprojet.ca

Stéphane Berger Tel: 514 952-7701 decktogo.com

Alexandre Ouellette Tel: 514 281-6400 – 114 gastronomia.ca

PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

Take advantage of our preferential rates on Visa, Mastercard, Debit Interac and American Express card transaction processing. Visa starting at 1.30%, Mastercard starting at 1.05%, Debit Interac from 4¢ and American Express starting at 1.79% per transaction.

PREVENTION MUTUAL FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Benefit from daily assistance in the management of your CNESST files, as well as a discount of up to 25% on your contributions, thanks to our prevention mutual. In addition, receive a minimum of 13-18% discount on your invoice at Telus Santé.

INSURANCE

Take advantage of commercial, group and personal insurance services tailored to your needs and benefit from substantial savings on the many types of coverage offered. In addition, discover the selective group insurance program: a unique way to attract and retain your employees!

RESTAURANT PURCHASING PROGRAM

Save thanks to the Programme d’achats Privilège Plu$ which offers advantageous prices and a guaranteed cashback. Save with our 100 partners such as Gordon Food Service, Molson Coors and Coca-Cola.

Find out why it pays to participate!

PROPANE GAS

Get competitive and fixed prices as well as 1.25¢ in cashback per liter of propane purchased. Also, get peace of mind with an automatic delivery service and 24-hour emergency assistance.

THE LEADING

SALES

AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A Revenue Québec-certified solution for Web SRM.

Benefit from a 6% discount on the monthly fee and the number of POS requested on the Colossale Cloud POS software.

PAYROLL AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

Benefit from a 15% discount on recurring payroll and self-service fees with Desjardins Employer Solutions. Get the same quality services at a lower cost!

Discount of up to 25%

Custom Coverage

$2,000 average annual cash return

1 .25 ¢/ L in Cashback

NATURAL GAS

Stabilize your budget and avoid market fluctuations with a guaranteed fixed price on your natural gas and compressor fuel consumption.

GASOLINE

Enjoy a discount of 2.5¢ for every litre of gas purchased for your vehicle fleet, delivery service or personnal consumption.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Enjoy a 15% discount on fees billed by Dufresne Hébert Comeau Avocats, in addition to obtaining a free 30 minutes consultation yearly.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Get 50% off for 3 months ($1,125 value), including social media posts, sponsorship strategy, professional culinary photography and more. Get up to 9% discount on services billed by Agence Culte.

DIGITAL DISPLAY

Benefit from the possibility of having 32” screens financed and repaid solely from the advertising revenues generated by Orangead, without interest. Recover 20% of the revenues from day one! Once the screen is repaid, your royalties will be increased to 80%! Increase

Our collaborators

TILL ROLLS

Buy your paper rolls for cash tills and enjoy a personalized inventory management service. Personalized Service

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITING

Benefit from a competitive price and a quick follow-up with Global Crossing Immigration, which offers you a turnkey solution.

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT

Get $1,000 off several services at One Continent. This lawyer-founded company helps employers recruit foreign workers by taking care of the entire process: from recruitment services to immigration legal services.

$1,000 discount per case

$1,000 discount

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT

Get a discount of up to 30% on several services at KMS Solution. This company helps employers recruit qualified foreign workers to meet their labor needs. Up to 30 % discount

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

Get 10% off the final invoice issued by GoodJOB. A 100% virtual temporary staff employment agency in Quebec. Download the free application at goodjobapp.ca/company. 10 % Discount

Always more benefits

In addition to offering you numerous exclusive avantages with its partners, the ARQ also gives you:

Government advocacy on issues that impact your bottom line. Answers to your management and legal questions through our information agents.

A full calendar of interesting and diverse events.