Complex sentence: Many job places in Canada (i.e., grocery stores and restaurants) have opted to reduce hours rather than lay off staff-especially in industries that are needed to keep the economy from going into a depression.
Split into simpler sentences: Many job places in Canada (i.e., grocery stores and restaurants) have opted to reduce hours rather than lay off staff. This element of job protection is especially in industries that are needed to keep the economy from going into a depression.