Help wanted: B.C. restaurants struggle to reopen as restrictions ease
Restaurant owners are thrilled the province has entered Step 2 of its COVID-19 restart plan, but admit they’re struggling to find staff and supplies.
Thousands of employees have moved on to other careers, uncomfortable with the uncertainty of work in the food and beverage industry since the pandemic began.
“That’s the challenge for everybody, because you have to have cooks, you have to have servers,” said Alejandro Diaz, owner of El Santo Mexican restaurant in New Westminster.
Before the pandemic, he said, El Santo was open seven days a week. Now, until he can find more employees, he won’t be opening on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The staff shortage is also an issue in Whistler.
“It’s challenging,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “A lot of people have left the hospitality industry over COVID, and so there’s a lot of work going into inviting people to come and consider working in a resort town like Whistler.”
Restaurateurs are also struggling to find supplies. Local and international farms have been limiting production because no one was buying. Now, suddenly, hundreds of eateries are demanding the same things.
“So we are opening with a limited menu, because we don’t know what is going to happen,” said Diaz. “We don’t know what’s going to be available over the next three or four weeks.”
One of the major changes that came into effect on June 15, is the ability for pubs and restaurants to once again serve alcohol until midnight. But again, without enough staff, many aren’t able to do it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.