Last Friday, the Government of Quebec held two parliamentary committees which dealt with the difficulties experienced by restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If nothing very concrete came out of his discussions, it is still possible to say that, behind the scenes, the return is organized.
First, Minister of Tourism Caroline Proulx pleased restaurateurs by declaring that a revival guide would be available before the weekend. However, everyone quickly became disillusioned when, a few hours later, she had to change her mind and announce that this guide was not ready.
In fact, it is a document on sanitary measures to be adopted for the catering sector and that this sector was currently in preparation for the CNESST.
Unlike what it has done for other economic sectors, the government is unable to predict dates or send specific signals regarding the reopening of dining rooms. The restaurateurs are therefore swimming in mystery and cannot prepare.
In this regard, an inter-ministerial committee, composed of the ministers of Agriculture, the Economy, Labor and Finance, is currently working on recovery scenarios. Everything is done behind the scenes and no information has flowed from these meetings.
On the other hand, the Minister of Economy Pierre Fitzgibbon believes that more than a thousand restaurants will have to close their doors before the recovery. He also believes that the emergency loans promised by governments will not be enough to ensure the survival of certain players.
In fact, some of them are already starting to seek information from the trustees, including Jean Fortin & Associés, who says he receives more calls than usual.
So, while a plan is being prepared but nothing has yet been announced, the restaurateurs are still advancing in the dark and do not even see the light at the end of the tunnel yet.