INSIDER Volume 12 - Issue 3 February 7, 2012 • pdf version
» City of Ottawa Releases a New Smoke-Free Ottawa
On February 6th , Ottawa City Council approved a Jan 31st, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) proposal for a Renewed Strategy for a Smoke-Free Ottawa. This was part of the City’s eleven year old non smoking policy.
The OPH recommended to the Board, the Community and Protective Services Committee and City Council that existing smoke-free regulations be amended, effective Spring 2012, to prohibit smoking on:
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All municipal properties, including parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields, fruit and vegetable markets and outdoor areas around City facilities; and included are more than 200 outdoor patios and terraces of restaurants and bars.
Following a grace period beginning in April 2012, city officials will commence enforcing the new law starting July 2nd, with fines set at $305. ORHMA has recommended delaying the enforcement of the new by-law until September to allow operators to phase in their compliance to the new policy.
» Provincial Deficit
On Jan 24th at the Royal York, Premier Dalton McGuinty delivered a speech with a foreshadowed message of upcoming labour cost trims in the public service sector as part of the plan to reduce the provincial deficit. The government’s objective is to balance the fiscal books by 2017. He was clear in that “it is simply not possible to reduce spending without addressing salary expenditures.” The plans will consider teachers, doctors and provincial public servants with a mandate to create efficiencies. The government is in waiting to review economist's Don Drummond's study on restructuring the public sector with a goal to reduce Ontario's deficit. The long-awaited Drummond Commission report on reforming Ontario's government to trim a $16 billion deficit will be released Feb, 15th.
» Reduction of the Federal Deficit
As the MP’s returned to Ottawa on Jan 30th the good news is that even without proposed cuts, the deficit has been on a strong downward track. In a report released last week, the government reports that the deficit for the first 8 months of 2011/12 is $9.3 billion less than what is was last year. Since the 2011 Budget predicted the deficit would drop by $10.2 billion for the full year, the government is well on its way to meeting its deficit target for this fiscal year. In the month of November the deficit stood at $17.3 billion compared to $26 billion for the same period in 2010.
The Deficit Reduction Action Plan (DRAP) is the new name given to strategically reduce the federal deficit and is chaired by the Treasury Board President. Announced in last year’s federal budget the plan calls for department reductions proposed at around the 10% mark and expected for heftier cuts will be at the Department of National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) while service departments might end up cutting less.
» Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs)
At the Federal government level we will be waiting to see if small to mid size business will be mandated to implement a Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP) as Minister of State (Finance), Ted Menzies continues to move forward with these plans targeting to increase savings by those working for small and medium sized businesses. Most including the hospitality industry do not have any systems in place to promote retirement savings to their employees.
» How the New Privacy Tort Will Affect Employers
On January 18th, 2012, the Court of Appeal for Ontario recognized a new "intrusion upon seclusion" civil cause of action. In this article, we describe the new cause of action (or "tort") and identify its significance to employers. To read the full article, please click here.
» Ten Questions and Answers About Computer Use Policies
It’s January 2012. Last year the Court of Appeal for Ontario recognized that an employee had a reasonable expectation of privacy that arose out of his personal use of a work computer. This month the Court of Appeal recognized a new "intrusion upon seclusion" tort. Have you looked at your computer use policy lately? This article sets ten questions and answers to help guide that exercise. To read the full article, please click here.
» Updates to the AODA Customer Service Standard
Reporting Deadline Extended: Organizations with 20 or more employees are required to report on their Accessibility Compliance with the Customer Service Standard. The deadline for reporting has been extended to December 31, 2012; however, the deadline for compliance remains January 1, 2012.
Online Reporting Form Now Available: The Customer Service online reporting form and guidance on how to complete it is now available through the Ministry of Community and Social Services website. For a preview of the questions asked on the 2012 Customer Service Accessibility Report, click here.
Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) – What’s Next?
The Integrated Accessibility Standards is the next set of standards under the AODA and came into effect on July 1, 2011. The IAS addresses accessibility in 3 areas: Information and Communications, Employment and Transportation. Similar to the Customer Service Standard, organizations large and small, public and private, must comply with and report on accessibility in these 3 areas. Please note that under the IAS, a small organization is now classified as less than 50 employees (under the Customer Service Standard, it was less than 20 employees).
Did you know there are IAS requirements that were also due on January 1, 2012?
One example is that any organization that has public safety or emergency procedures available to the public must provide this information in an accessible format with applicable communication supports, upon request.
» Restaurant Business Needs More Judo, Less Karate
Consider two hypothetical restaurants: type one and type two.
Restaurant type one: Imagine yourself wandering the streets of a new city. You could be on Ocean Drive in South Beach, or Piazza Navona in Rome. You're thinking about dinner, and you come across a restaurant conveniently located on a busy stretch of street. Outside, it displays its panoply of meal choices in wax replica splendor, or "freshly cooked" under Saran wrap. On the sidewalk, an aspiring tan model flanks a manager-host, who wears a loud tie to go with the even louder voice he uses to solicit passersby. "Would you like to come in and eat 'world famous x'? Or maybe try the daily cocktail special?" Read more here.
» February Blitz Targets the Pains and Strains of Manual Materials Handling
All workers, regardless of industry or profession, are at risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Due to its potential to affect so many, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) will conduct an inspection blitz of this hazard during the month of February. The blitz will zero-in on manual materials handling activities in the industrial, construction, mining and health care sectors. Although certain industries have been targeted, any firm visited by the MOL may be scrutinized. Click here for full article.
» Food Safety Self-Inspection
Food Safety – At this time, the most common food safety infractions in food establishments, as disclosed in a recent summary of public health inspection reports, are ‘the operator fails to properly maintain rooms’ …and, ‘the operator fails to properly wash surfaces and equipment.’
In the last issue of the Insider we attached a Self-inspection Checklist of items that must be maintained to ensure an environmentally safe and sanitary workplace. Click here for checklist. Using this checklist will help you to ensure compliance with various regulations and to preserve the business assets and value.
In this issue we have attached a Workplace Training Aid for Cleaning and Sanitizing Surfaces and Equipment - click here. Post this in your workplace and use it to remind your staff of what is essential to properly maintain a safe and healthy workplace for them to work in, and, for your customers to enjoy. Your attention to these issues will help preserve your assets and insure you always pass health inspections.
» Water Damage Claims
Careful preparation and frequent monitoring during cold weather is vital in the prevention of water damage losses:
- Check rooms frequently during cold snaps to ensure that all windows and exterior doors are closed properly and that heating systems are functioning properly.
- Have housekeeping staff visit rooms shortly after guests check out to ensure that windows are closed and heat has not been turned off.
- Do not turn down thermostats below 10°C (50°F) in unoccupied rooms, especially during cold weather.
- Install low temperature alarms that will alert an alarm center if inside temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F).
- Locate emergency shut-offs for water lines and sprinkler systems and ensure that staff know where the shut-offs are located and how to shut them down to reduce the damage.
- Drain water lines, toilets and tanks in buildings or sections of the property that may not be used during the winter.
- Check heating and water systems frequently during the winter for early detection of problems.
Visit www.westernfgis.ca/orhma for more information.
» The ORHMA Toronto Restaurant Awards Presented to a Sold Out Crowd
2011/2012 ORHMA Toronto Restaurant Awards - January 25, 2011 Following a public and industry campaign for nominations in several categories, the inaugural year of the Awards program culminated in a spectacular event January 24th at the historic Palais Royale. Emcee’d by Roger Ashby of 104.5 CHUM FM fame, nine restaurants, and ten wine and beer suppliers provided a fantastic array of tasting stations to guests, dignitaries, and award winners.
The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Michael Chan addressed attendees to open the evening, and stated “The contribution that the restaurant and hospitality industry makes to Ontario’s attractiveness as a tourist destination is vital. The Ministry of Tourism and the Provincial government is very proud to have a strong working partnership with the ORHMA”
A $10,000 cheque was presented to George Brown College, Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts which through government matching grants will create a $20,000 endowment fund. Click here to read the full article.
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Waste Audit Canada specializes in unbiased third party waste audits and waste reduction work plans. We are not affiliated with any hauling companies so our recommendations are not limited to the services offered by your current hauler. We find the best options for you. Many organizations in the hospitality industry are completing waste audit and reduction work plans on an annual basis in order to satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment. We have completed hundreds of waste assessments throughout Canada and can therefore complete this work seamlessly with very little disruption of day-to-day operations. We are happy to offer a 10% discount to ORHMA members.
For a free quote go to www.wasteauditcanada.com
» OTEC - Success Stories!
For over 12 years, OTEC’s Ready-to-Work pre-employment training program has been helping newcomers to Canada develop skills and employment opportunities for the Tourism and Hospitality industry. This program has allowed thousands of individuals to overcome barriers to employment and gain the certification and practical training required to succeed in their careers. Beneficial to both employees and employers the Ready-to-Work program ensures participants are well trained and prepared to start their new careers, while it allows employers tap into new sources of qualified labour.
OTEC is very proud of the difference the Ready-to-Work program has made in so many lives and has launched a new interactive map to share some of the remarkable achievements program graduates have realized through the Ready-to-Work programs across Ontario. Please click here to read some of these outstanding stories!
If you would like more information on the Ready-to-Work program please contact Kim Bocking, 416.622.1975, ext.226, kbocking@otec.org; www.otec.org.
» CRFA Show - Register by Thursday February 9th For Badges to be Directly Mailed
Register after February 9th and your badge will be available for pick up directly at the show. 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.
»Mark Your Calendars!
- March 2012 - Ottawa Restaurant Awards… details coming soon!
- March 4th - 6th, 2012 - Canadian Restaurant Foodservice Association Show - Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON
- March 5th, 2012 – HAC Conference at the Toronto Sheraton Centre. For registration and details click here.
- March 28th, 2012 - JOIN - Take It Higher - On the Park Conference Centre, Toronto - click here to register.
- March 29, 2012 – JOIN Career Fair Connection for People with Disabilities – Downtown Hilton, Toronto, ON – click here to register.
- June 4th, 2012, ORHMA 9th Annual Provincial Golf Tournament. Click here for sponsorship and registration.
- June 5th, 2012 - ORHMA 13th Provincial Annual General Meeting.
- Other Industry Events - click here.