The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) calls for improvements to the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) regulations at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. They advocate for reduced red tape, greater transparency, and mandatory participation from short-term rental platforms.
Representatives from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) recently attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference to advocate for improvements to the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) regulations. Implemented in 2017, the MAT allows Ontario municipalities to levy a tax on accommodations, with 50 municipalities currently utilizing it.
TIAO President and CEO Andrew Siegwart acknowledged the positive outcomes of the MAT, citing investments in tourism marketing, product development, and infrastructure support. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration and streamlined consultation processes between municipalities and the tourism industry. Siegwart and his team presented several recommendations to optimize the MAT system, including reducing bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring greater transparency regarding rate changes, and extending its application to college and university accommodations. A key recommendation was to mandate the participation of short-term rental businesses, such as those listed on airbnb.ca, in the tax, currently subject to municipal discretion.Thunder Bay, which implemented a 4% MAT in 2018, recently increased it to 5% in January 2024. The city collected over $3.7 million in 2023 alone. Paul Pepe, Manager of Tourism Thunder Bay, explained that the collected funds are split, with 50% allocated to tourism recreation projects and the remaining 50% distributed to the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) Tourism Development Fund. The city's share has primarily been earmarked for the proposed indoor turf facility, while the CEDC fund has supported a wide range of community tourism initiatives, including conventions, sports events, cultural festivals, and new attractions
Municipal Accommodation Tax Tourism Industry Association Of Ontario ROMA Conference Short-Term Rentals Ontario Municipalities
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Northern Ontario's Homelessness Crisis Worsening at Four Times the Rate of Southern OntarioA new report, Municipalities Under Pressure, reveals that homelessness in Northern Ontario is growing at an alarming rate, four times faster than in Southern Ontario. The report calls for $11 billion in new funding to end chronic homelessness by 2035, highlighting the urgent need for increased support and resources in the region.
Read more »
Ontario Invests in Program Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in Northern OntarioThe Ontario government is investing $1.24 million over three years to support the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise’s PAROBiz program, which helps low-income women start and grow their own businesses in Thunder Bay and other communities across Northern, Eastern and Central Ontario. The program offers training in skilled trades, entrepreneurship, information technology and general employment readiness, aiming to address skill shortages and empower women.
Read more »
Ontario Prepares for Tariffs, Craft Breweries Shine, and More News from Northern OntarioThis news article covers a range of stories from Northern Ontario, including the provincial government's stance on potential tariffs, the Ontario Brewing Awards, a tragic discovery, upcoming country concerts, and a wave of extreme cold.
Read more »
Federal Government Urges Ontario to 'Do More' on Homelessness CrisisCanada's housing minister called on Ontario to contribute more funding to address the growing homelessness crisis, particularly concerning encampments before winter. The federal government announced funding deals with Ontario and Saskatchewan municipalities, bypassing provincial governments after they failed to match federal funding. Ontario maintains it is investing in homelessness prevention and claims the federal government is underfunding the province. The federal government, however, insists on increased action from Ontario and highlights the severity of the issue, citing a recent report suggesting over 80,000 people were homeless in Ontario in 2024.
Read more »
Calls for More Transparency on Municipal Politicians' CompensationGlobal News investigation reveals high salaries of some mayors due to lucrative stipends for serving on multiple boards. The report highlights public concern and calls for consolidated financial reporting to increase transparency.
Read more »
Ontario May Need to Spend 'Billions' if Trump Tariffs Go Forward: FordOntario Premier Doug Ford warned that the province could need to spend billions of dollars to stimulate its economy if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through with his threat of a 25% tariff on all Canadian exports. Ford made the remark at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association's annual general meeting, urging Canadians to support domestic industries. He highlighted the potential economic impact of the tariffs, estimating a loss of 450,000 to 500,000 jobs in Ontario. Ford stated that if such a situation arises, the provincial government would consider a stimulus package, potentially requiring a public mandate through an election.
Read more »