Strategic Partners:

Travel and Tourism Lobby Day on Parliament Hill
June 4th, 2009

TIAC in conjunction with four other national industry associations will be holding a “Travel and Tourism Lobby Day” on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday June 4th, 2009. There is no registration fee for this event and you will have a chance to meet with Parliamentarians, Ministers and possibly public servants to discuss issues central to the health of the aviation and tourism industries. 

Building on past Lobby Days, this event will give you an opportunity to meet with representatives from your region and discuss how the current economic downturn is affecting your ability to attract domestic and international visitors.  The event will consist of individual MP meetings in the day followed by a reception for Parliamentarians in the evening. We have secured discounted rates at two Ottawa hotels. 

Click here to access the electronic Registration form.

For more information, please contact:

General Inquiries: Chris Jones Vice President, Public Affairs 613-238-7557

Registration Inquiries: Allison Paiano TIAC Manager, Event Logistics 613-238-9487

Canada and Japan expand bilateral air transport agreement

The Government of Canada has reached an agreement with Japan to expand the existing bilateral air transport agreement between the two countries. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced that this agreement will benefit trade, tourism and investments in Canada's economy.

This expanded agreement allows airlines to offer unlimited services between Canada and any city in Japan outside of the Tokyo area. It also allows, for the first time, under certain conditions, access to Haneda Airport, Tokyo's metropolitan airport. The agreement further includes modernized aviation safety and security provisions and provides mechanisms for airline prices to adapt faster to market fluctuations.

This new agreement marks further progress in the Government of Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI). The $1 billion APGCI is a national initiative that focuses on ensuring Canada's competitiveness in global commerce, including air services, while also benefiting local communities by improving the safety, security and environmental sustainability of the transportation system in the long term. In the two years since the Government of Canada launched this initiative, strategic infrastructure projects valued at over $2.6 billion have been announced across all four western provinces, including a total federal contribution of almost $1 billion from the APGCI and other sources.

"This expanded agreement will be of considerable benefit to Canadian business," said Minister Day. "This agreement will… help create new jobs for our economy, expand market potential and build connections for our citizens across the important Asia-Pacific Gateway."

"This new agreement marks a major shift toward a broader and more modern approach for air services between Canada and Japan," said Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird. "The expanded arrangement will allow Canadian airlines and airports opportunities to offer competitive prices to travellers, helping to create jobs and boost our economy."

To view the complete press release, please click here.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Jones
Vice-President, Public Relations
Tel: 613-238-7557
e-mail: cjones@tiac.travel

CBSA To Provide Passenger Clearance Services on Second Amtrak Train During 2010 Olympics

In a letter to TIAC President and CEO Randy Williams, The Hon. Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety has indicated that the federal government will fund CBSA passenger clearance services on a second Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver for a reasonable period before, during and after the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.  TIAC had lobbied for, and therefore welcomes this action, as these additional resources will increase Amtrak’s operational capacity during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

For more information, please contact:

Chris Jones
Vice-President, Public Relations
Tel: 613-238-7557
e-mail: cjones@tiac.travel

Ontario Government Boosts Festival and Event Funding

Ontario is enhancing the support it provides to festivals and events across the province. The province will invest $11 million in Celebrate Ontario 2009 to support 224 community events across Ontario, an increase of 150 per cent over last year.  This investment - $2 million more than the $9 million originally announced - recognizes the important economic benefits these events have for communities.

Since 2007, the provincial government has invested $25 million in the Celebrate Ontario program, as part of an effort to encourage more tourists to discover the province.  Festivals and events boost local economies by attracting new visitors to communities across the province. This funding will help the festivals and events enhance their tourism offerings and give visitors new reasons to travel in Ontario.

To view the full list of Celebrate Ontario 2009 recipients, please click here.

For the provincial government’s official press release, please click here.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Jones
Vice-President, Public Relations
Tel: 613-238-7557
e-mail: cjones@tiac.travel