ORHMA - Government Relations - Legislative Issues Updates

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was officially sworn in on
Tuesday, October 30th along with his new Cabinet Ministers:

· Ministry of Tourism - Peter Fonseca
ORHMA “Asks” are as follows:
- Government investment of $60 million over three years
- Reinvestment in infrastructure, events and programs
- Improve border access
- Develop comprehensive strategy
- Impacts all industry sector

· Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs - Premier Dalton McGuinty
· Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs - Michael Bryant (formerly Attorney   General)
· Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs - Leona Dombrowsky
· Ministry of Attorney General - Chris Bentley (formerly Training,   Colleges and Universities)
· Ministry of Children and Youth Services - Deb Matthews
· Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration - Michael Chan (formerly   Revenue)
· Ministry of Community and Social Services - Madeleine Meilleur
· Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services - Rick   Bartolucci (formerly Northern Development and Mines)
· Ministry of Culture - Aileen Carroll
· Ministry of Economic Development and Trade - Sandra Pupatello
· Ministry of Education - Kathleen Wynne
· Ministry of Energy - Gerry Phillips (Government Services)
· Ministry of Environment - John Gerretsen (formerly Municipal Affairs   and Housing)
· Ministry of Finance - Dwight Duncan (formerly Energy)
· Ministry of Government Services - Ted McMeekin
· Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - George Smitherman
· Ministry of Health Promotion - Margarett Best
· Ministry of Labour - Brad Duguid
· Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Jim Watson (formerly   Health Promotion)
· Ministry of Natural Resources - Donna Cansfield (formerly   Transportation)
· Ministry of Northern Development and Mines - Michael Gravelle
· Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal - David Caplan
· Ministry of Research and Innovation - John Wilkinson
· Ministry of Revenue - Monique Smith
· Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship - Harinder Takhar
· Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities - John Milloy
· Ministry of Transportation - Jim Bradley (formerly Tourism)

October 10 is the date that Ontario voters go to the polls to choose their candidate and party. To inform all party candidates and party leaders on the current state of our industry, the ORHMA has sent out a special election brochure "Recipe for a Strong Ontario" and attachments that identify our industries' key issues in five areas: beverage alcohol, environment, municipal taxing powers, GST/PST harmonization, and minimum wage. A sixth issue sheet on tourism developed by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario and the Ontario Tourism Council is also appended. In addition, a separate letter has been forwarded to the party leaders asking them to provide their party's position on each of the key issues important to foodservice and accommodation. Each party's responses to our key issues will be shared with our membership to help them make an informed decision. The ORHMA does not side with any party during an election.

President Rob Evans has met with eight key ministers of the current government over the summer and will be meeting with party leaders shortly to apprise them of our collective issues.

•Election Brochure - Recipe for a Stronger Ontario
•News Release - New Statutory Holiday
•News Release - Retail Sale of Beer and Wine in Corner Stores
•News Release - Tourism Funding
•Industry Asks
•Ontario Liberal Party Survey Response to Industry Issues
•Ontario PC Party Survey Response to Industry Issues