by Alana Lachance, posted on 11:38 AM, July 14, 2021
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July 14, 2021
The launch of the new Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) on Monday morning was welcome news and I was pleased to share insights and details about the fund with TIAC Members during our exclusive webinar yesterday afternoon.
I encourage you to check with your Regional Development Agency to find out how to access the program.
Throughout Monday's press conference, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, acknowledged the unique set of factors our suite of sectors has endured and repeatedly highlighted the tourism industry was the first and hardest hit. The government has heard our voice and is listening.
Now, as we continue to see Covid restrictions eased across this country and the rate of vaccinated Canadians rise, we are calling on the federal government to open our borders to all international "fully vaccinated" visitors by July 21. As the hardest hit sector, the tourism industry needs the government to move past planning to action and help kick start the visitor economy.
Sincerely,
Beth Potter
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
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Dear Tourism Stakeholders,
The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation, as well as highlights of our recent advocacy efforts. We are working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.
Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:
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Since the last Covid-update, TIAC’s President & CEO Beth Potter has been actively engaged with elected officials and government representatives including a debriefing with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada regarding the Tourism Relief Fund. The President and CEO continue to participate in regular meetings of the WTTC Members’ Taskforce for Covid-19. TIAC has officially joined WTTC to ensure Canada is part of the global dialogue in tourism recovery.
In addition to developing Tourism Recovery Document 2.0 with members of its Industry Recovery Committee, TIAC has been actively involved in Border committees and task forces, the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, as well as the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable.
The Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable is tweeting from @timetotravelca, and encouraging members to retweet their message:
“Vaccination rates are on the rise and provincial restrictions have been lifted. We need fully vaccinated Canadians and international travellers to return to visiting and exploring our local communities #TimeToTravel #cdnpoli”.
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Send an email to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs at TIAC, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca if you would like your organization’s logo to be featured on the microsite in support of this campaign.
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Government Announcements
Tourism Relief Fund
- $500 Million in support for the tourism sector over two years (ending March 31, 2023).
- $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives
- $15 million for national initiatives
- Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will deliver $485 million directly to businesses and organizations. To find out if your organization qualifies for TRF funding and to apply, visit your regional development agency's web page:
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
- FedNor
- Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
- Contributions to businesses will be either:
- non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50 percent of eligible costs; or
- fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75 percent of eligible costs.
- Funding retroactive date “April 19, 2021”
- News link
- Release Link
Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative
Indigenous businesses in Atlantic Canada to receive $13 million from the federal government
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
- Canada Revenue Agency Consultations and Stakeholder engagement team is holding question and answer sessions to support eligible employers in applying. One session remains on July 15th and spaces are still available. Please click here to register.
- Visit the CRHP web pages for detailed information about eligibility requirements, how payment periods are structured, and how the CRHP is calculated.
Public Health Agency of Canada NEW Digital Engagement Tool Kit
- The kit includes:
- Travel information for individuals arriving in Canada by air or land
- Information on testing and quarantine requirements
- Information on exemptions from testing and quarantine requirements
- Information on exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers
- Links to COVID-19 resources
- Links to social media, for the latest news and updates
- Links to Digital Tools to help travellers
- Information about the Canada wordmark and how the tool kit resources can be used
- View PDF
Vaccine Progression & Tracking
Provincial Updates
- Nova Scotia moving to Phase 4 on July 14th
- News Link
- British Columbia - More domestic flights returning to Okanagan in the third phase of reopening
- Release Link
- Newfoundland & Labrador government announces support for tourism and hospitality
- Release Link
- Ontario moving to Step 3 of reopening on July 16
- Release Link
- Saskatchewan moving to Step Three of reopening on July 11
- Release link
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