TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 7, 2011) - The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today met with restaurant owners, equipment manufacturers and food distributors at the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) Show to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

"Our government's top priority is the economy, and we are committed to setting the conditions for the food services industry to succeed," said Minister of State Moore. "We've lowered taxes, improved access to financing and reduced the paperwork burden to let job creators like those in the food services industry thrive."

The CRFA Show attracts 12,000 industry professionals and focuses on the sharing of best practices, new trends and revenue growth for small, medium-sized and large businesses.

"The collaboration that takes place at these kinds of events is critical," said Minister of State Moore. "The restaurant and food services industry creates thousands of jobs, injects billions of dollars into the economy and is vital to Canadian tourism." 

According to Statistics Canada, the latest numbers show that the Canadian food services and drinking places industry has been gaining momentum, generating total annual revenues of $45 billion, compared to $35 billion just five years ago. Monthly figures indicate sustained momentum for 2011, as 2010 ended with December sales edging up 1 percent from November.