It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Leo Ledohowski. Leo served as President and Executive Chair of Canad Inns since its inception in 1975 as Hospitality Corporation of Manitoba. Leo was a board member of the Manitoba Hotel Association at the time of his passing. Leo served on the MHA board for 38 consecutive years, one of the longest-serving directors in our association's history. Leo served as board chair from 2006 - 2008 and became a Life Member of the Association in 2009.

Leo served on the board of the Hotel Association of Canada for over 20 years, and was instrumental in building bridges for hotels provincially and nationally.  

Leo held an unwavering commitment to the Manitoba hotel industry and the Manitoba Hotel Association. He saw the promise in Manitoba hotels and their workforce. He was committed to mentoring and helping the next generations of hotel association directors build a brighter future for an industry he loved so much. He was passionate in finding new opportunities for growth that would allow hotels and their employees prosper.

Although the Canad Inns hotel properties are in cities, Leo was committed to improving the lives and businesses of rural hoteliers. In almost every discussion Leo would raise how any change(s) would affect rural members. 

Leo was particularly proud that his family business employs more than 3,000 Manitobans, making Canad Inns the largest private sector employer in the province. Canad Inns' growth over the years makes them the 14th-largest hotel chain in Canada. They own and operate 10 Manitoba hotels: 8 in Winnipeg, including the Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown by Canad Inns, and one in each of Portage la Prairie and Brandon. They also have a hotel in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Canad Inns also owns and operates the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, 9 Tavern United restaurants and bars, and 2 Garbonzo’s sports pubs. 

Leo was also deeply involved in the broader community. He served as the Honorary Consul of Ukraine to Manitoba, and the Honorary Colonel of the Air Force Military Police Group. Leo was a former member of the Board of Directors of Destination Winnipeg, the city's economic development and tourism services agency. He also served as a board director at the Business Council of Manitoba. 

Nationally he served on the board of the Business Development Bank of Canada, and in February 2008 he was named to the Board of Governors of the Bank of Canada where he served for several years. Mark Carney was the Bank’s Governor at the time, who is now our Prime Minister.

Leo’s academic background includes several degrees and awards, including a Bachelor of Arts, with Distinction (Economics), a Bachelor of Commerce, with Great Distinction (Administration), both from the University of Saskatchewan. He also had a Masters of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance) from McMaster University. Leo was also a national award winner, placing 6th highest in Canada as a Certified Management Accountant. He received his Certified Hotel Administrator designation in 1990. In 2003 Leo received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Manitoba and his FCMA from CMA Canada. In 2007, he was awarded the Canadian Industry Entrepreneur Award from the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference. In 2022, Leo was awarded the Order of Manitoba, our province’s highest honour.

It’s difficult to think of an area the MHA works in that Leo didn’t greatly influence or engage on over the years. He helped shape the association into what it is today, and Leo always brought the collective interests of hotels forward. 

Leo will be greatly missed.

The Manitoba Hotel Association extends our deepest condolences to the Ledohowski family.