INSIDER Volume 11 - Issue 24 November 29th, 2011 • pdf version

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» The Tourism Industry Can Help Ontario’s Deficit Budget 

The 2011 Ontario Provincial Budget announced  measures to be put in place to reduce and eliminate the $16 billion deficit by 2018. Both the November 22nd throne speech followed by the economic statement focused on reducing the deficit while growing jobs. The goal will be to add value for money by improving effectiveness and by  increasing productivity in the public sector. Even with a focus on the high spend categories of health and education other ministries will be examined for saving opportunities. The government advisor heading this task has planned to limiting growth in expenses by 1% across the board which is not far from the 2011 budget projection of 1.4%. Historical trends show that health spending alone has been growing at six per cent annually leading to a very tough challenge in bringing it down to the 1% rate. Reducing the current deficit will be challenging but it can be accomplished easier through  incremental revenue growth opportunities.

The tourism industry provides such an opportunity. Prior to the recent recession global tourism achieved a six per cent growth outperforming all other industries while tourism revenue shortfalls in Canada and in Ontario are performing at a record low levels. In light of manufacturing job losses the tourism industry offers huge potential to grow jobs, services  and revenues for both the hospitality sector as well as government.

The need for greater integration at every level  to boost product and visitor access can not be more important. One of ORHMA’s “asks” during the provincial election campaign is to modify the funding mechanism model proposed as a Regional Tourism Levy (RTL) to something that really works for industry and something that industry has buy-in and ownership. To start with ORHMA called for a reduction of the HST and to use the drop amount for funding the destination. Another “ask” is concentration around a tourism investment strategy to ensure pro-activeness in boosting tourism revenues.  It all leads to government believing and understanding that there is an ROI from tourism spending in favourable benefits to the overall economy of the province. Click here to read the election report.   Click here to read the Premier’s response. 

» Compliance of Fire Code Retrofit for Hotels – January 1, 2012

Hotel properties have been on a 5 year phased in compliance schedule to integrate fire code changes. Fire Code Retrofit Part 9.9 of the Fire Code was introduced with compliance dates that range from January 1, 2007 to January 1, 2012. The first compliance date was January 1, 2008 requiring all hotels to complete a Building Audit. If the audit did not meet the standard building requirements then a retrofit was required in building areas including containment, egress routes, fire alarm system warnings and suppression. For a complete schedule that calls for total compliance by January 1 2012 click here.  For more information click here.   

 

» Use of E-cigarettes Inside Food Establishments

Use of E-cigarettes inside food establishments is becoming a growing concern for some operators unsure of how to respond. Recently health units have been receiving inquiries from operators’ regarding customer’s using electronic cigarettes inside their business. As this type of product does not contain tobacco or tobacco products, the Smoke Free Ontario Act cannot be applied by health unit’s Tobacco Enforcement Officer or by any property owner/operators to prohibit the use of such product indoor under this Act. The safety of this product is under the Food & Drug requirement for distribution as a safe product (again, it is not classified as a tobacco product).

Health Canada advises Canadians not to use electronic cigarettes. To learn more click here. For Health Canada and Canadian e-cigarette and e-smoking laws click here.

Private business operators can develop rules or policies to control such issue but to enforce the rule/policy could prove to be a challenge for staff or management. Key to your decision will be sensitivity, as the last thing you would want to do is upset your customers.

» Outdoor Smoking Ban to include Patios in Middlesex-London Area

Middlesex-London health unit staff have recommended a smoking ban that would prohibit lighting up in all outdoor seating areas, which includes bar and restaurant patios. The Board of Health approved the recommendation at a meeting on November 17th 2011 and the recommendation is now headed to city council for a final decision. ORHMA has expressed our opposition to the proposed ban in a letter to London City Council and a letter to the editor of the London Free Press.

London banned smoking in restaurants and other indoor spaces in 2003, but allowed exceptions on outdoor patios. In the ban's first year, almost two dozen restaurants undertook the expense of constructing or renovating patios to give their smoking customers options. These costly additions would be considered off limits if the ban is accepted by City Council. Bar and restaurant businesses in the Middlesex-London area have had to endure the city's original smoking ban and then a province-wide ban three years later that tightened restrictions on patios. These measures significantly reduced the customer base. Given the current economic situation, another restriction for bar and restaurant owners does not bode well with the ORHMA.

ORHMA members are all too well aware of the economic hardships caused by complete smoking bans. With this in mind, it is important to develop a smoking control bylaw that meets the needs of all concerned. In particular, it is imperative that any smoking control bylaw provide foodservice operators with realistic options to meet the needs of all of their clientele – smoking and non-smoking. By including some measures of flexibility, ORHMA believes council can put together a bylaw that effectively balances health, business and customers concerns.  The City of London Smoke-Free Public Places By-law already prohibits open windows or doors that are shared between an enclosed place of refreshment and its outdoor area if smoking is permitted. Shared open windows and doors can only be opened for the purposes of entering or exiting the outdoor area. This type of flexibility is something that bar and restaurant operators can comply with.

The ORHMA takes issue with the imposition of the standard being extended to restaurant and bar patios as it completely disregards the rights of these businesses to operate according to customer demand and sound business principals. The hospitality industry in Ontario is already plagued by razor thin profit margins, and these operators should not be penalized by another exclusive ban that will devastate their profits significantly. The ORHMA will continue to voice our opposition to this proposal.

» Ontario Human Rights Tribunal Rules on Medical Marijuana at Licensed Establishments

On September 29th, 2011 the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal released its decision on the use of medical marijuana in licensed establishments. This results from a complaint brought by a licensed medical marijuana user against the Ontario Government.  Click here for full article -  AGCO Licence Line. 

» Ottawa Launches Pooled Pension Plan for Small Business

On Nov 18th 2011 Registered Pension Plan (PRPP) have been introduced by Ted Menzies, Minister of State for Finance. The plan aims to suit the self employed and workers at small-and mid-sized firms, where these businesses do not have the means to administer a private sector plan. These will be voluntarily with contributions coming from employees and the employers not having to top the plan . The fund contributions will be invested in bulk by a fund manager. We need to examine this closer to see if the PRPP legislation provides for controls on high management fees charged by banks and mutual fund companies on pension investments. This legislation is a result of an outcry stemming from the latest financial crisis with a goal to have a pension plan available for all Canadian employees. The Government hopes to pass this legislation in early 2012 and will push forward with implementation as early as possible. Many in business fear a potential increase in costs. Provinces including Ontario disagree in that this should be part of the shortfall in retirement savings package being discussed. 

All that remains to be seen is how many small and mid size businesses will provide their employees with access to PRPP’s and the administration of this plan at the employer level. We are all aware that simpler not time consuming plans obtain more acceptance. Importantly as previously stated is to watch for the size of management fees in administering this plan. 

» Food Service and Hotel Sector Compensation & Benefits 

Understanding compensation data is essential to dealing with changing demographics and labour shortages, and to inform attraction and retention strategies. Employers competing for labour within the sector, as well as with other sectors, require accurate compensation data to illustrate the ranges in pay and the benefits offered in many positions throughout tourism. Read here for more from the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) .       

» Expanded Health Hazard Alert On Woody’s Brand Mexican Lime Vodka

The public warning issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on November 17th for Woody’s Brand Mexican Lime Vodka has been expanded to include additional products.  Click here to view full list of recalled products. 

» ORHMA & Macy's at Accessibility Symposium

As the deadline is fast approaching for Ontario businesses to comply with Ontario's Accessible Customer Service Standard (AODA), ORHMA was pleased to participate in the Region of Peel Accessibility Symposium.  Over 200 business leaders and stakeholders gathered at the Embassy Grand in Brampton to learn more about the service standard and how to make their establishments more inclusive.
 
Fatima Finnegan (ORHMA) and Hans Sturzenbecher (Macy's Diner, Oakville) participated in a panel discussion and addressed the attendees with AODA deliverables and best practices.  ORHMA, an Enabling Partner with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, was pleased to deliver the hospitality sector with best practices, policy templates and industry case studies.  To view Macy's Diner case
study, click here. For more information on your January 1, 2012 deadline for compliance with AODA, click here.

Fatima Finnegan - ORHMA, Hans Sturzenbecher - Macy's Diner

» 2011-12 ORHMA Toronto Restaurant Awards

The 2011-12 ORHMA Toronto Restaurant Awards will honour  industry professionals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Toronto restaurant industry. This follows the success experienced in the city of Ottawa where the ORHMA Ottawa Region has been running its own restaurant awards since 1993.

Join well known radio personality Roger Ashby - emcee / host for the event on January 24th at the Palais Royale in Toronto. ORHMA has partnered with Tourism Toronto for the event, which will raise funds to benefit the establishment of an endowment fund for the students of The Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at George Brown College.  Click here in order to:
• Promote your restaurant by ordering a poster.
• Vote for your favourite Restaurant, Bartender & Server.
• Limited sponsorship still available!

» “Loads” of Savings with Ozone Laundry Systems – Union Gas Ltd.

To most people, the term ozone seems better suited to a science classroom than the laundry room. But to anyone that spends significant time and money dealing with large volumes of commercial laundry, pairing ozone with laundry makes perfect sense.

Ozone laundry systems have been in the market for over 20 years, but today are receiving new attention for their ability to effectively clean, disinfect and reduce costs in a reliable, safe and environmentally-friendly way. Click here for full article.

» Employee Dishonesty

While the vast majority of employees are honest, many employees will steal as a result of:
1. Access to money/securities: Employees that handle money, bank transactions or stock  
    receiving/shipping.
2. Need for money: Those with excessive debt due to addictions like gambling, drugs, alcohol or 
    even shopping may have pressures to pay bills that they cannot afford.
3. Little fear of getting caught: Employees that feel that it is easy to steal and very unlikely that they
    will get caught.
 
Employee theft claims can be prevented if adequate controls are put into place:

• Ensure that there are always two different employees that enter receivables and make payments.
• Never allow one person to handle all money transactions without someone else checking transactions regularly and auditing annually.
• Require two signatures on all cheques (don’t pre-sign cheques when you are away).
• Check bank transactions regularly and have an annual audit.

 
Visit www.westernfgis.ca/orhma for more information.

» Smart Serve Exchange Program

The DVD/paper-based Smart Serve Training program has been updated to reflect changes in Ontario liquor laws.  Updated Training Kits are available at NO-COST in EXCHANGE for older materials. Click here for more information.

» Accessibility Standards for Customer Service - Don’t miss the deadline!

Recent studies reveal that 1 in 8 Canadians have a disability and people with disabilities are responsible for $25 billion in annual customer buying power in Canada. Ensure your organization is meeting all of its customers’ needs, while becoming compliant with The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) that mandates all businesses in Ontario meet the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service by January 1, 2012.

There are 11 requirements that a company must undertake in order to comply with AODA, and one of the most important requirements is training your team how to better service people with disabilities. Businesses are required to train all employees who may come in contact with members of the public including all full time, part time, volunteer, seasonal and contract staff.  The training must cover the requirements of the customer service standard, instruction on how employees might interact with individuals with various types of disabilities, as well as your organization’s policies and procedures regarding assistive devices, service animals, support persons, service disruptions and a feedback process.

OTEC’s Accessible Service Excellence Series consists of a ½ day front-line and a full day management workshop developed to ensure you organization is compliant with the AODA standard for customer service and help prepare your team to meet the needs of the fastest growing customer base — persons with disabilities or accessibility needs. Each of OTEC’s Accessibility programs give practical, hands on tips, and examples of the act, and ensures that participants are fully versed in the act, and how to apply it to their company.  To organize an Accessible Service Excellence workshop for your team contact Claire Sullivan, csullivan@otec.org , 416.622.1975, ext.240.  ORHMA members receive 10% off all OTEC Workshops!

» Register Today For Complimentary Access to the CRFA Show

ORHMA members may now register on line for the CRFA 2012 show at www.crfashow.ca.  ORHMA members should type MORHMA2012 in the box labeled “source code” then enter the required contact information.   All registrations will go to a complimentary page.

CRFA  will once again have a draw for all early registrants.  All those who register for the show before January 16th will be eligible to win an Elektra Nivola Espresso Machine donated by Zuccarini Importing Company, a value of $1,595.00.  

» The Holiday Season is Just Around the Corner!

Hire your seasonal staff now through HospitalityServe.com! Fast, easy, and reliable. Call Alex Z today at 416-862-9900 x 203 or alex.z@hospitalityserve.com!

» Register Now for the MDCA/ORHMA Dinner at Casino Rama

You are invited to join the first gathering of the Muskoka District Chef's Association (MDCA) and the Simcoe Chapter of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) at Casino Rama on Monday, December 12 starting at 4:30pm (presentation at 5:00pm, social at 6:00pm and dinner starts at 7:00pm). 

The cost is a nominal $10 per person and includes a full evening of activities including a networking social, full dinner and presentation by: Hugh Johnston CA, CMC on "The formula for making money" in restaurants and foodservice. Find out "What Works" in making one restaurant dramatically more successful than another.  Bring an unwrapped toy for the Annual Xmas Cheer Toy Drive for a chance to win a door prize raffle. 

Space is limited!  Click here to learn more and to register for this special regional hospitality gathering!

» Mark Your Calendars!

• December 12th, 2011 - Windsor ORHMA Region’s Annual Christmas Dinner.  Click here to view invitation.
• January 24th, 2011 ORHMA 2011-2012 Toronto Restaurant Awards, Palais Royal, Toronto ON
• March 2012 - Ottawa Restaurant Awards… details coming soon!
• March 4th - 6th, 2012 - Canadian Restaurant Foodservice Association Show - Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON
• June 4th, 2012, ORHMA 9th Annual Provincial Golf Tournament
• Other Industry Events - click here.