Call To Action:

Connect with Your Member of Parliament

Dear ORHMA Member, 

 

Over the last few years, the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) has been committed to advocating for a reduction to credit card interchange fees for our members. Those efforts have resulted in some reductions in credit card fees—but not to the level we feel is fair. ORHMA has always maintained that the rates paid by small and medium sized businesses in Canada should be similar to the ones enjoyed by big business in other sectors.


We were pleased to see the Government of Canada’s Budget 2021 stating our goal in reducing the fees to the level large companies are paying.   Since the budget there has been silence and a year has gone by, raising concerns on this commitment.


It is the appropriate time to rally our industry to support us in achieving a long term overdue win for you. We need to bring this up to the eyes of all Members of Parliament regardless of party affiliation-to and ask them in turn to contact the Minister of Finance with an urge to honour the budget commitment in lowering interchange fees. Timing is most important. Many operators in our industry are still in recovery mode paying unprecedented inflationary price hikes.


A letter from a local business constituent is much more compelling to a Member of Parliament than one coming from an association that does not vote in their riding. This is why we are asking YOU, our member, to contact your MP to share the concerns of our industry on this topic. 


A draft letter template is available to be downloaded and edited. You are welcome to use this template, enter your information, and send to your MP. MP contact information can also be found below. 


The letter outlines this issue is about and why it is so important to all small and medium size businesses in all sectors. We are asking is that you send this letter, or craft one in your own words if you wish, to your MP. It can be to the MP where you live, or if your store(s) are located in another riding, you can send to that MP. Or to both!


If the Government keeps their promise and our rates can be cut close to half, this will be a significant saving opportunity for industry and puts money back in your pocket as opposed to the pockets of the banks and credit card companies who have gained much wealth in recent years.


All it takes is a very few minutes of your time to sign the letter and send to your Member of Parliament. 



Thank you for your ongoing support of ORHMA. Together, we are stronger!


Sincerely,

Tony Elenis

President & CEO

Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) 


Download Letter Template
Member of Parliament Contact List

ORHMA is eager to track how many MP's have been contacted.  We are asking members to please confirm once a letter has been sent. You can email Christina DiRocco, Policy Support & Communications Manager at cdirocco@orhma.com

Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)

2600 Skymark Ave, Suite 8-201 Mississauga, ON L4W 5B2

info@orhma.com | www.orhma.com

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