Federal Government Introduces Payment Card Network Act, Moves Closer to Regulating Canadian Payments Market
The federal government recently introduced the Payment Card Network Act in the House of Commons, which it expects will pass through the House prior to the summer recess. The Act expands on measures announced in the federal budget last month to rein-in the practices of credit card companies, processors and banks regarding the fees charged to merchants for debit and credit card acceptance. It provides the Minister of Finance with the legislative powers to regulate the conduct of the credit card companies, banks and processors if they do not adhere to the forthcoming voluntary code of conduct for Canada’s payments market.
The Payment Card Network Act also outlines amendments to the mandate of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), empowering them to monitor compliance with the voluntary code of conduct, once finalized. It outlines possible fines of up to $200,000 for card companies, processors and/or banks that are found in violation of its provisions.
Though the government's push for voluntary measures is a welcome first step, the members of the StopStickingItToUs Coalition, including TIAC, will continue to push for prescriptive government regulation over interchange rates and merchant fees as is seen in other countries around the world. This would significantly assist the many small- and medium-sized business that make up the backbone of the tourism industry.
For more information, please contact Christopher Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557.
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Government of Canada Commits to New National Park on East Arm of Great Slave Lake
The Government of Canada moved closer towards establishing a national park reserve on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories this week as the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, signed a Framework Agreement with the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation. The framework agreement commits the parties to negotiate a park establishment agreement and is an essential step to enable the Minister to recommend to Parliament the creation of this 3.3-million hectare national park reserve.
As part of the establishment process for the proposed national park reserve, Parks Canada will continue to work with others to complete the necessary analysis, including a mineral and resource assessment that will inform a decision on the final boundary. Parks Canada will name the future park Thaidene Nene, which means "land of our ancestors" in the Chipewayn language.
The proposed Thaidene Nene national park reserve features the spectacular Pethei, Kahochella and Douglas Peninsulas of Great Slave Lake's East Arm, and Christie Bay, the deepest fresh water in North America; the Lockhart River's canyons, Tyrrell Falls and Parry Falls; and the abrupt transition from a boreal forest to a tundra environment. The area also features important cultural features including the traditional hunting and fishing areas of the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation and other Akaitcho First Nation members, and the Northwest Territory Metis Nation.
TIAC has long called for the protection of our natural and cultural heritage resources. TIAC supports the assertion that the preservation of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage is critical to the ongoing sustainability of the tourism industry, and thus welcomes this announcement.
For more information, please view Parks Canada’s official press release at http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cp-nr/release_f.asp?id=1534&andor1=nr
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Pre-Olympic Planning Pays Dividends during Games as Thousands Cross International Line Seamlessly
New figures show that border crossings between British Columbia and Washington State experienced abnormally heavy vehicular traffic during February’s Olympic Winter Games. However, despite these increases, the numbers show that most travellers were able to cross the Canada-US border in less than ten minutes. This relatively seamless flow of international travellers is a testament to the efforts of federal border inspection agencies and provincial and state transportation agencies in both countries.
Compared with cross-border travel in the preceding six weeks, as many as 34,000 additional cars (occupied by 76,000 people) crossed the border during the Games, akin to peak summer weekend travel. With heavy northbound arrivals in the morning and southbound volumes in the evening, the traffic patterns were a reversal of typical peak patterns and support the notion that the cross-border travel stream included a higher than usual proportion of U.S. residents.
TIAC has long called on governments to minimize unnecessary delays and improve border clearance processes, which will contribute to more pleasurable visitor experiences in Canada. In this regard, TIAC congratulates the appropriate federal, state and provincial organizations, including the Canada Border Services Agency and (the US) Customs and Border Protection, who were well-prepared for the surge in travel during the Vancouver Olympics. Prior to and during the Games, these organizations increased the number of inspection booths, increased inspection staffing levels, enhanced border infrastructure and provided improved access to public transportation.
For more information, please view the full article authored by Hugh Conroy, Whatcom Council of Governments by clicking here, or contact Christopher Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557.
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Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council Partners With Parks Canada to provide Heritage Interpreters with emerit Certification
Earlier this week, the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council reached an agreement with Parks Canada to provide emerit certification training to interpreters at Canada’s parks and historic sites. Under the agreement, Parks Canada employees will pursue Professional Certification as Heritage Interpreters, the nationally-recognized industry standard for tourism workers in Canada.
TIAC congratulates both parties on this agreement, which in the long-term, will serve to enhance the visitor experience in Canada’s parks. Canada is in fierce international competition with other destinations, which are constantly upgrading or refreshing their tourism products in order to provide visitors with a “must see” reason to travel. The iconic status of Canada’s natural scenery was once a compelling reason for visitors to come here but improved communication and transportation have enabled other destinations to attract visitation away from Canada.
TIAC has long believed that through improved product animation, we can make the experience in the national parks more stimulating and engaging so that the visitor can interact in innovative new ways with our natural and cultural resources. This agreement is a welcome step, and will contribute to the elusive “value-added” component to better showcase the national parks and historic sites of this country.
For more information, please view the full CTHRC Press Release by clicking here. |
Provincial Government in Quebec Earmarks $200M towards Rail Link Between Trudeau Airport and Downtown Montreal
In its budget speech tabled last week in Quebec City, Quebec’s Provincial Government announced that it will contribute $200 million towards an express rail link between downtown Montreal and the Trudeau International Airport. The provincial contribution is likely contingent on an equivalent contribution from the federal government, and would be funded by revenues generated by a 1.5-cent increase in local fuel taxes. Various official estimates have pegged the total cost of the proposed shuttle at between $600M and $800M. The third partner in this project is the Aéroports de Montréal.
The industry believes that the provision of modern, environmentally-friendly and modally-connected transportation infrastructure is key to attracting the discerning international tourist. Many countries and destinations are now actively investing in the intermodality or connectivity of their various transport modes. To this end, the proposed rail link would improve the airport's competitiveness, promote Montreal as an economic hub and convention destination, and drive future tourism visitation. In addition, the proposed line would improve commuter service for Montreal residents, while reducing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.
The new Canada Line light rail system that connects Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Richmond and downtown Vancouver is seen as a model of success in this regard. The line opened August 17, 2009, and in only a short period of time, the Canada Line has considerably exceeded its daily ridership projections, with as many as 100,000 riders per day. TIAC will continue to press other levels of government for further investment in the Montreal project, as well as in proposed inter-modal transportation projects in other Canadian cities.
For more information, please contact Christopher Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557.
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More than 80% of international travellers to Canada originate from the U.S.
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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
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TIAC MEMBER BENEFITS
TIAC is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the Avis Budget Group, which establishes another great TIAC membership benefit. All full TIAC members can now take advantage of discounts of 5% to 25% off regular rental rates, by making their reservation booking online with a special discount code provided by TIAC. To obtain your booking code, or for more information, please contact Andrea Labelle, TIAC Director, Business Development at alabelle@tiac.travel or or 613-688-1454.
For more information on TIAC's affinity partnerships and member benefits, visit http://www.tiac.travel/english/membership_affinity.asp.
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