24 February 2021 Reading time: 30 s
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A petition created by the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ) last week is gaining momentum with more than 10,000 Quebecers signing the virtual document as of Wednesday afternoon.
“We believe it’s a good first step to attain this level of signatures, you know, 10,000 people is a lot of people,” said ARQ Spokesperson Martin Vezina in an interview with The Record.
The ‘Sauvez les restos, M. Legault!’ campaign, or Save the restaurants, Mr. Legault, is an attempt by the ARQ to mobilize restaurant owners, staff, suppliers and patrons to demand the Quebec government reopen dining halls across the province.
MONTREAL When Premier Francois Legault first closed restaurants in the spring, Pizzeria Geppetto partner and operator Yann Charbonney felt it would be for longer than the government anticipated. When the province shut down dining rooms again last fall for yet another 28 days, he was incredulous. It s a joke. It s stupid. they should ve just been courageous and closed for the season (winter), Charbonney said. That October, he started making plans. Charbonney now sells pasta sauces, salad dressings and wine as well as pre-made, frozen Geppetto pizzas from his restaurant in Rosemont. He is also changing the kitchen into a factory kitchen to produce more pizzas so he can sell them to grocery stores. He knew that re-invention was necessary. In 2020 his restaurant only made 60 per cent of their average year s gross sales.
MONTREAL Quebec s strict lockdown has resulted in many turning to food delivery apps, but one restaurant is fighting back against what it calls punishing fees. Deli Boyz, located in the Cavendish Mall, has struggled over the past few months. Usually, owner Emmanuel Darmond relies on lunching shoppers but with the mall closed, has had to pivot to takeout and delivery. “We had a lot of old people, we had a lot of young people,” he said. “It was a mixture of everything. Today, we have a lot of nothing.” But while Montrealers have picked up their phones and used apps like Door Dash and Uber Eats for their delivery needs, those apps charge up to 30 per cent commission on each delivery.
Bill 72 is a win for restaurant owners in Quebec 17 December 2020 at 19 h 24 min Reading time: 30 s
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Restaurant owners in Quebec rejoiced last week after the provincial government pushed through Bill 72 on the last day of the fall session.
The bill gives owners the ability to sell alcohol on apps like Uber Eats and Doordash. Customers need to purchase food, as well, but the new law represents a major win for the restaurant industry.
“It’s a permanent change,” said Martin Vezina, spokesperson for the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ). “Everything that was included in Bill 72 is a permanent change, that’s why it’s very important.”