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History Of The Association
 Established
in 1996, the Ontario Association of Trading Houses (OATH) is a private,
non-profit organization. OATH represents the trading houses of Ontario,
involved in export and import of goods and services. Aside from trading
houses, the Association members also include manufacturers who are involved
in international trade as well as companies which provide trade-related
services.
OATH was started due to the lack of a cohesive national trading house
association. It was started in 1996, but the history actually goes back
to 1984 and to the Federal Government's task force on trading houses.
At that time, the government recognized the need to learn more about this
industry segment, particularly as it was estimated that a majority of
Canada's exports were done by trading houses (outside of the USA).
 Out
of this task force the Council of Canadian Trading Houses was formed.
At that time, Quebec developed its own association (AMCEQ) but the rest
of the country relied on the Council to be its voice. This was an effective
group for its first two years, but due to a variety of reasons, it started
to unravel.
Ontario has historically relied on national associations to represent
it, much to the detriment of its local members. Today, OATH is out to
rectify this historical imbalance and allow Ontario trading houses to
have their voice heard in both provincial and federal governments.
OATH Objectives:
- OATH's objective is to increase export through a systematic integration
of trading houses into the international marketing strategy of Ontario
industry and commerce.
- OATH's objective is to further the awareness of trading companies
in Canada in both provincial and federal governments, as well as the
general public. To help achieve this goal, we will be holding information
seminars to illustrate the effectiveness of trading houses in international
markets as well as providing a forum for others to learn about us.
- OATH will be tackling issues in private and public sectors that are
of importance to our members and to be their voice with these parties.
- OATH will be a clearing house for vetting members, so that companies
that wish to have information on a particular member, will have an opportunity
to have a referral service for prospective companies.
- OATH intends to hold learning seminars (classes eventually) on international
trading to further educate the public on this exciting industry.
- OATH will be a voice for our members on financial matters, in seeking
to be given the same treatment as many other companies in Canada.
- OATH will give our members an opportunity to dialogue with other traders
in impartial surroundings and thus promote more trade between them.
These are some of our objectives as we will be listening to members for
new ideas which will take us into new endeavors.
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