Restaurants Canada has appointed Anthony Polci as its executive vice-president of government relations and public affairs, a senior leadership move that places an experienced government relations executive at the centre of the national industry association’s advocacy efforts.
The appointment took effect recently, according to the organization, and comes as Restaurants Canada continues to position its government relations and public affairs function as a core part of its work on behalf of the foodservice industry.
Senior leadership appointment
Polci joins Restaurants Canada with what the organization described as a long track record in public policy and advocacy roles across both the private and public sectors. In announcing the appointment, Restaurants Canada said Polci has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Lobbyists and is known for his work in strategic planning, coalition building and public policy engagement.
The executive vice-president role places Polci at the head of Restaurants Canada’s government relations and public affairs team, which is responsible for representing the association’s interests with governments across the country.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Anthony’s caliber to Restaurants Canada to lead our advocacy team,” said Kelly Higginson, president and chief executive officer of Restaurants Canada. “Over the past year, the foodservice industry has navigated a trade war, supply chain disruptions and rapid changes to immigration, among other issues. Our government relations and public affairs team has risen to the challenge, and with Anthony’s leadership, we will further strengthen our voice and impact with governments across the country.”
Experience in public and private sectors
Before joining Restaurants Canada, Polci spent nearly two decades at the Canadian Bankers Association, where he held senior leadership positions, including chief strategy officer and head of government relations. The association represents Canada’s banking sector and engages extensively with federal and provincial governments on regulatory and policy matters.
Earlier in his career, Polci held several senior roles within the Office of the Minister of Transport, providing him with experience inside government as well as in external advocacy roles. Restaurants Canada said his career spans senior positions in both the public and private sectors.
The organization did not disclose the terms of Polci’s appointment or whether the role is newly created or fills a vacancy.
Ottawa-based role
Restaurants Canada said Polci will be based out of its Ottawa, Ont., office. The association maintains a presence in the national capital to support its government relations work at the federal level.
The executive vice-president role encompasses both government relations and public affairs, reflecting the association’s focus on policy advocacy and communications related to public policy issues affecting the foodservice sector.
Restaurants Canada did not outline specific priorities Polci will be tasked with in his new position beyond leading the advocacy team.
Focus on advocacy
In announcing the appointment, Restaurants Canada emphasized the importance of advocacy to its mandate as a national industry association. The organization represents foodservice businesses across Canada, including restaurants and other operators, and engages with governments on issues affecting the sector.
Higginson’s statement pointed to recent challenges faced by the foodservice industry, including trade-related pressures, supply chain issues and changes to immigration policy. The association said its government relations and public affairs team has been actively engaged on these files.
Polci’s appointment places responsibility for that work under a single senior executive as Restaurants Canada continues its engagement with federal, provincial and municipal governments.
About the organization
Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association representing Canada’s foodservice industry. According to the organization, restaurants make up a $124 billion industry and employ nearly 1.2 million Canadians. Restaurants Canada also describes the sector as the country’s largest source of first-time jobs.
The association said it works to advance the interests of a diverse foodservice industry through advocacy and public policy engagement.
Polci’s appointment is effective immediately.
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