CRFA vows to fight Edmonton levy

EDMONTON—Alberta’s capital is attempting to push through a new fee onto the city’s licensed businesses, for what that Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) contends is a duplication of services.

The mandatory $280 fee is meant to fill the coffers of a group called the Responsible Edmonton Hospitality Association, made up mainly of city politicians.

According to Mark von Schellwitz, the CRFA’s western vice-president, the charge would duplicate the work of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and the Alberta Safer Bars Council.

A report presented to members of Edmonton’s executive council in early June states, “This report details a strategy to develop and self fund a city-wide Hospitality Industry Association that would be self-regulated and self-governed, contributing to the mandate of Responsible Hospitality Edmonton of planning, managing and policing Hospitality Zones.”

Von Schellwitz said operators can opt out of becoming a member of the new organization, but must still hand over the fee. The CRFA is rallying owners to fight the surcharge, which still has to be approved at the council level.