COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – April 23, 2020
posted on April 23, 2020
TIAC Members and Industry Champions
For those reading TIAC’s Tourism Advocacy Update on COVID-19 and the ongoing efforts by the association to secure greater relief and enhance existing programs, we want you to know our work isn’t possible without the support of our TIAC Members.
TIAC's membership reflects partnerships among all sectors of the industry, and includes provincial, territorial and regional tourism associations, enabling the association to address the crisis facing Canadian tourism sector as a whole
Thank you for supporting the Canadian Tourism Industry.
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Dear Tourism Stakeholders,
The TIAC Team continues to monitor and provide daily updates on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation. 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 Tourism Sector:
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April 23, 2020
TIAC’s Work
- TIAC’s President and CEO is participating in an industry webinar with Destination Canada and ISED today, to continue TIAC’s cooperative efforts to assist tourism businesses in these difficult times
- The President & CEO also held a call with executives from airlines to discuss collaborative advocacy efforts.
- TIAC participated on a Canadian Chamber of Commerce tourism stakeholder call emphasizing the need for national associations to lead our sector’s COVID-19 policy work.
- TIAC outlined our priorities in accessing immediate liquidity for tourism business, broadening wage subsidies, identifying and closing policy gaps for tourism businesses and our recovery planning. TIAC was clear that Canadian Chamber of Commerce participation must align with the policy priorities set by industry stakeholders. Now is not the time to disperse our energy and priorities.
- Next week, TIAC’s President & CEO will once again participate in a Destination Canada COVID-19 public webinar
In case you missed it …
- Our partners at Destination Canada have released their preliminary data on the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian tourism sector: https://www.destinationcanada.com/en/coronavirus-updates/covid-19-research
- TIAC has recently been informed of the opportunity for tourism businesses to participate in a telephone townhall meeting hosted by the Official Opposition this weekend. Conservative Shadow Ministers for Tourism, Small Business, Rural Economic Development, and Associate Shadow Minister for Finance will be leading the call on Saturday, April 25 at 1pm EST/10am PST.
- Please note that TIAC advocacy work remains non-partisan - this townhall is an opportunity for stakeholders to share their messages on what support is required to help our sector recover.
- This will be a good opportunity for TIAC members to share the challenges they are facing during this global health pandemic, and what gaps remain in government programs.
- To participate in the town hall, please sign-up here: https://www.conservative.ca/cpc/small-business-tele-town-hall/. You will receive a call on Saturday at 1pm EST/10am PST that will automatically connect you to the townhall.
Government Announcements
- Today, the Prime Minister announced a $1.1 billion dollar medical and research strategy to fight COVID-19. This strategy has three pillars; research, supports for clinical trials, and expanding national testing and modelling.
- Under this plan, the government will be investing close to $115 million for research into vaccines and treatments being developed in hospitals and universities across the country, on top of the vaccine funding already committed.
- $662 million will be dedicated to clinical trials led by Canada. A vaccination is the long-term solution to this crisis.
- $350 million will go towards expanding national testing and modelling of COVID-19, including the creation of a COVID-19 immunity task force operating under the direction of a leadership group of top experts and scientists.
- The Prime Minister also acknowledged the terrible tragedies occurring in long term care facilities, and committed to solutions.
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TIAC Members: Making a difference
Thank you to the many TIAC Members who are helping during this difficult time. From those offering support like temporary housing for essential service providers, to others who brought home stranded Canadians from around the world. You are making a difference.
Today, we would like to celebrate the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. After realizing the gap between food service distributors and those struggling to order groceries from the comfort and safety of their own homes, The Oak Bay Beach Hotel began a new initiative to support their local community with an expansion of their delivery service. This is helping people of Victoria practice social distancing, and feel at ease in their homes. Thank you to The Oak Bay Beach Hotel for sharing your story!
Do you have a story to share about how tourism businesses are supporting communities during these challenging times? We want to hear from you whether you’re a TIAC member or not. We need to celebrate our industry and recognize your generosity during these trying times. Please share your stories with us at communications@tiac-aitc.ca.
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