ORHMA - The Voice of the Industry in Ontario
The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) was formed in 1999 as a result of the amalgamation of the Ontario Hotel & Motel Association and the Ontario Restaurant Association.
The Ontario Hotel & Motel Association was a member organization that had been in existence since 1925. Its membership was composed of two major sectors of the hospitality industry; the lodging or accommodation sector which included large and small hotels, motels and motor inns and the licensee sector which included licensed establishments. The Ontario Restaurant Association made up of foodservice operations was formed in 1928.
Today, the ORHMA continues to be an industry leader as the largest provincial hospitality association in Canada, representing more than 11,000 establishments throughout Ontario.
» Industry Highlights
Contributions of the Hospitality Industry to the Ontario Economy
• 4.3% of GDP
• $23 billion in sales
• 400,000+ jobs
• $9 billion in tax revenues for all three levels of Government
• Fastest growing sector of the Ontario economy
Ontario’s hospitality industry is one of the most dynamic and competitive sectors of the provincial economy contributing 4.3% of the provincial GDP generates over $23 billion in sales and is a major employer of over 400,000 jobs. That equates to an estimated $9 billion in tax revenues generated for all three levels of government.
In today's Ontario the hospitality industry with more than 22,000 foodservice establishments and 3,000 accommodation properties is the fastest growing sector of the economy with the potential to create more jobs, more investment and more service destinations. We are uniquely positioned to contribute to the economy of every Ontario community.
Despite these dynamics, the industry is not without its challenges. The declines that resulted from events like 9/11, SARS and more recently, the Global recession continue to plague the industry. The foodservice sector struggles to stay profitable, operating on razor thin margins. The hotel sector is yet to rebound to the levels of success experienced in 2000.
With the long list of economic challenges faced by the industry, we need a government that is willing to drive the economic stimulation that the industry needs to rebound and grow in every Ontario community.
» Key issues for this election:
- Tourism ~ ORHMA supports:
- Reducing the HST charge on hotel rooms to provide a competitive market price advantage and enable the industry to add a hotel room fee/levy model to promote Ontario destinations.
- The development of a sustainable Tourism Investment Strategy that works for Ontario.
- Implementation of the industry recommendations to stimulate growth contained within the February 2009 Tourism Competitiveness Study.
- Issues Notes >>
- Wholesale Pricing ~ ORHMA supports:
- The implementation of a true wholesale pricing regime for liquor licensees, and that the amount of the discount should be at least equivalent to the discounts available to the LCBO’s agency store system.
- Issues notes >>
- Municipal Liquor Tax ~ ORHMA supports:
- The revocation of the City of Toronto’s authority to levy a liquor tax in order to prevent a reduction in sales, lower operating margins and the endangerment of thousands of jobs in Toronto’s licensee community.
- Issues notes >>
- Employer Health Tax ~ ORHMA supports:
- An increase to the Employer Health Tax threshold from the current level of $400,000 to $1,000,000 to assist business operators offset the burden of year over year increases to the minimum wage since 2004.
- Issues Notes >>
- Minimum Wage ~ ORHMA supports:
- The establishment of a system to review future increases, based on economic sense and current industry considerations.
- Issues Notes >>
- Regulatory Burden ~ ORHMA supports:
- A streamlined government-to-business service model – a one stop shop - by simplifying the difficult processes that are currently in place preventing operator success.
- Issues Notes >>
- Energy For Hospitality Sector ~ ORHMA supports:
- A more sustainable future for the hospitality industry, by extending discounted peak rates or rebates to our industry.
- Issue Notes >>