COVID-19 Updates > TIAC Member Advocacy Update
posted on March 18, 2020
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Dear TIAC member,
Given the ongoing situation related to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on tourism, TIAC will continue to provide daily information concerning steps the Government is taking to address the situation and ensure we are providing up to date information from our members.
Please find the latest update on TIAC’s advocacy work to keep you up-to-date on official announcements:
- Today, the Government announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy and help Canadians and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
- Today’s announcements by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance demonstrate an on-going response to address and support business continuity in Canada. An $82 billion package of economic supports is a positive step in supporting business and economic continuity.
- While no industry-specific announcements were made for tourism, $27 billion dollars in direct support for Canadian workers and businesses will be provided, in addition to $55 billion dollars allocated to meet liquidity needs of businesses and households through methods such as tax deferrals.
- This plan is in addition to the $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund, which provided funding to provinces and territories focused on enhancing health care systems.
- This plan aims to stabilize the economy and address immediate challenges. All Canadians are being urged to stay home to help flatten the curve.
- Notably, the government moved forward with restricting all non-essential travel across the Canada/US border, however transportation of goods will continue.
- More details on sector specific aid is expected to come in the coming days. TIAC continues to advocate for bold and urgent measures to help the tourism industry.
- A comprehensive breakdown of today’s financial announcements can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html
A few notable points from today’s announcement:
- Canada/U.S. have agreed to temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the border
- Transportation of goods will continue – commerce and trade
- All Canadians are asked to stay home where possible
- $27 billion in direct support for workers and businesses
- $55 billion for liquidity needs of businesses and households through tax deferrals
- Creating the Emergency Care Benefit
- Will provide money every two weeks for 14 weeks for individuals
- Will be similar amount provided through EI for those who don’t qualify
- Creating COVID-19 Emergency Support Benefit
- Will support those who have lost their jobs or businesses that need to close
- Will provide employers of small businesses a temporary wage subsidy equivalent to 10% of salaries for a period of 3 months
- Intends to encourage employers to keep staff on the payroll
- Those who owe money through tax filings will have until August 2020 to pay
- Temporarily boost the Canadian Child Benefit for the next few months
- In May, the GST credit will be subsidized for low-income Canadians
- Every adult who qualifies will receive $300, plus $150 for every child
- Students paying off student loans will be given a 6-month interest free moratorium
- Setting up an Indigenous Community Support Fund
- EDC will provide support to companies
- Farm Credit Canada will be boosted
More information will be released in the coming days for business support
- Navigate the crisis; to ensure we are working with other stakeholders and organizations supporting this sector, we are connecting daily with many other organizations to share ideas and push out vital information to as many people as possible. This includes regular calls and email communication to ensure TIAC members and the industry get timely updates on the COVID-19 situation, and what assistance is available to them. Over the past few days, these communications have included;
- Calls with Minister Morneau and Joly’s senior staff, ISED & The Bank of Canada
- Calls with Blake Richards MP (PC Tourism Critic) and Gord Johns MP ( NDP Tourism Critic) to enlist their parties’ support for TIAC’s submission letter to the Finance Minister
- Calls with Destination Canada’s acting CEO on large scale industry updates and organization of an industry webinar in which TIAC’s CEO will participate on March 20, 2020, sign up for The Visitor Economy Webinar
- Discussions with President & CEO of Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) where TIAC committed to support CSAE call for government funding to support affected associations.
- Keep you up-to-date on COVID-19, we invite you to check our website regularly for updates as well as to sign-up for our COVID-19 communications .
In addition to the work TIAC is doing, please review the list of industry support available for businesses and lookout for ongoing updates as we continue to work on your behalf to get through this crisis.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
List of relevant and official information sources regarding COVID-19:
Work-Sharing Program - Temporary special measures / Programme de travail partagé - Mesures spéciales temporaires
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses / Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Ressources pour les entreprises canadiennes
Sincerely,
Charlotte Bell
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
t: 613-238-6378