Mr. Speaker, there is an industry in Canada that boasts over $65 billion in sales and that employs more than one million employees. Yes, Mr. Speaker, that is one million employees.
As the fourth-largest employer in Canada, with more than 80,000 locations, the restaurant industry is one of the three top job creators in our country. The over 18 million restaurant visits happening each day in Canada amount to more than $6.5 billion a year.
The restaurant industry is a contributor to the social and economic fabric of Canadian communities, and it donates over $277 million in charitable contributions each year. As a 40-year-plus restaurateur myself, I am proud to share the success story of this industry.
It is the first employer of many of our youth, the trendsetter for customer services and the sponsor of many youth sports teams. It is all this and great food and fun too.