Although the Government of Quebec has not yet announced the date of the reopening of the dining rooms, unlike Ontario, other members of the industry, such as food distributors, claim to be ready to resume service.
If we have a week between the announcement and the official reopening, so much the better. But we gon’ be ready, no matter how long it takessays Patrick Verret, Marketing Manager at Gordon Food Services.
We know our industry very well. We can turn around in three or four days if necessaryconfirms Carl Drouin, co-owner of FLB Solutions.
At Gordon Food Services, restaurateurs account for about half of the business. We have a lot of customers among them that we continue to serve thanks to take-out orders.», points out Patrick Verret.
© / Radio-Canada
Carl Drouin and Maxime Fouquette from FLB Solutions
Layoffs
FLB Solutions also mainly has restaurants and hotels as clients. Two sectors greatly affected when the time comes to confine the population to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Since December 31, 65% of my clientele has been closed“, explains Carl Drouin. FLB Solutions, which specializes in the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables, therefore continues to serve its other customers, such as hotels, daycare centers and seniors’ residences.
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Every time restaurants close, it messed up my warehouse. We then try to sell our merchandise at a discount or we give it to organizations“, continues the co-owner.
The closure of the dining rooms has a direct effect on its employees. We were forced to make a 35% reduction in our payrollhe says.
Carl Drouin hopes that the laid off employees will be able to return to service as soon as the government announces the reopening.
© Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada
Restaurants had to close a few days after Christmas in Quebec.
We don’t have help»
As food distribution services to restaurants can continue their operations despite the confinement, they do not meet the criteria of recent aid programs from the Quebec government. The program ofEmergency aid for small and medium-sized businesses (PAUPM) and the Temporary concerted action program for businesses (PACTE) only target establishments subject to a closure order.
We don’t have any help. We had some before, at the start of the pandemic. But our sector continues to be affected by the confinementssays Carl Drouin from FLB Solutions.
The co-owner indicates that letters have been sent to the deputies of the Quebec region at the provincial and federal levels to present their arguments.
Radio-Canada has contacted the office of the Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, to find out if it is in its plans to offer more specific programs for food distributors. The question was also posed to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat team. No response has yet reached us.
With the collaboration of Pascale Lacombre