Our Advocacy Efforts

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ORHMA Advocacy Efforts 

Summary of Recommendations:

Ontario’s hospitality and tourism industry continues to face persistent workforce shortages impacting business operations, service delivery, and sector growth. ORHMA continues to advocate to both the Ontario and Federal governments for workforce and immigration policies that better reflect the labour realities of the hospitality sector.

ORHMA is advocating for:

Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP)

  • Modernization of the TFWP to better reflect seasonal and tourism-based workforce needs
  • Greater flexibility for hospitality employers operating in tourism-dependent and rural communities
  • Exemptions or adjustments to restrictive LMIA measures impacting the hospitality sector
  • Expanded support for recognized and trusted employers within the program
  • Improved pathways for long-term workforce retention and labour stability

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

  • Creation of a dedicated Hospitality & Tourism immigration pathway under the OINP
  • Recognition of hospitality and tourism occupations facing critical labour shortages across Ontario
  • Immigration streams that better support employers in restaurants, hotels, resorts, attractions, and tourism operations
  • Stronger alignment between Ontario’s workforce needs and immigration selection priorities

ORHMA has formally submitted recommendations to the Province of Ontario calling for the development of a dedicated OINP Hospitality & Tourism pathway to support workforce retention, sector stability, and long-term economic growth.


International Students

  • Creation of a dedicated Hospitality & Tourism immigration pathway under the OINP
  • Stronger pathways for international hospitality and tourism graduates to remain and work in Ontario
  • Policies that recognize the hospitality sector as a critical workforce destination for international talent
  • Greater alignment between education, workforce development, and immigration policy

Permanent Residency

  • Creation of a dedicated Hospitality & Tourism immigration pathway under the OINP
  • Dedicated immigration pathways to Permanent Residency for hospitality and tourism workers
  • Expanded Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program opportunities for TEER 4 and 5 occupations
  • Immigration policies that support hard-hit sectors experiencing ongoing labour shortages

ORHMA continues to work collaboratively with government and industry stakeholders to support practical workforce solutions that strengthen Ontario’s hospitality and tourism economy.

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