#FixTheORPP: Restaurants Canada campaigns to save youth money and jobs

TORONTO, June 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Restaurants Canada released its online campaign, #FixTheORPP, to urge the Ontario government to raise the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) contribution age from 18 to 25. This change would better reflect today's workplace and the need to preserve youth jobs.

"Youth today are enrolled in post-secondary education at record rates," said James Rilett, Restaurants Canada's Vice President Ontario. "As it stands, the ORPP will force them to save for retirement before their careers even start. It would cost the average young worker about $300 a year, at a time when they can least afford it. A higher contribution age would reflect the fact that people are starting their careers later and retiring later."

If the ORPP is not fixed, it would also put more youth jobs at risk. Youth unemployment is three times higher than the rest of the population.

"The ORPP would add an employment tax on youth job creators," said Rilett. "Fewer jobs for youth will be an unintended consequence of the new system."

Restaurants Canada's campaign includes a website and video that raise awareness of the issue. Visit www.fixtheorpp.ca to learn more.

Restaurants Canada is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant industry. Canada's restaurant industry directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, is the number one source of first jobs, and serves 18 million customers every day.

SOURCE Restaurants Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS: James Rilett, Vice President, Ontario, [phone] or [email protected]; or Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, Communications Specialist at 1-800-387-5649 ext. 4254, or email [email protected].