ISSUE FOCUS - Speech from the Throne: Travel and Tourism Issues
This afternoon, the new Parliamentary session was launched with the Speech from the Throne, delivered by Governor General Michaëlle Jean in the Senate chambers in Ottawa. The Speech from the Throne outlines the government’s priorities for the coming session of Parliament. The full text of the Speech from the Throne can be found at www.speech.gc.ca.
In general, the Speech focused on the government’s efforts to “restore fiscal balance” by containing government spending. This includes freezing departmental operating budgets, and an aggressive review of all departmental spending.
In terms of travel and tourism-related initiatives, the Speech from the Throne included the following.
Air Agreements: The Speech indicates that the Government intends to pursue additional air service agreements to “achieve more competition, more choice for Canadians and more economic growth.”
Aviation Security: The Speech indicated that new screening processes and detection technologies will be initiated by government. Moreover, the Government indicates that the costs of this security “must be borne by businesses and individuals who use air transport.” However, the Speech also indicates that these contributions will be “invested responsibly and effectively” and will deliver “measurable results.”
Passports: The Speech indicates that the Government intends to introduce biometric passports to improve security.
National Parks: The Government intends to “build on the creation of more than 85,000 square kilometres of national parks and marine conservation areas as part of its national conservation plan.”
More substantial information on these initiatives should be forthcoming in the coming weeks, or may be found in the Budget Speech, to be delivered by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on Thursday, March 4th.
For more information please contact Christopher Jones, TIAC Vice-President, Public Affairs at cjones@tiac.travel or 613-238-7557. |
