Tourism Advocacy Update – April 6, 2020 - Tourism Industry Association of Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – April 6, 2020

Tourism Advocacy Update – April 6, 2020

posted on April 6, 2020

Dear TIAC Member,

Given the ongoing situation related to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on tourism, TIAC will continue to provide regular information concerning steps the Government is taking to address the situation and ensure we are providing up to date information to Government officials from our members.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of our members:

April 6, 2020

TIAC’s Work

TIAC’s President and CEO, Charlotte Bell, has been invited to speak to the Parliamentary Finance Committee (FINA) on Wednesday April 8 from 4:00-6:00pm EST to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
To build on the ongoing feedback we are getting from members through the survey and direct communications, we are also analyzing and segmenting priority topics that help us inform our relief requests and recommendations to Government, as such, we will be reaching out to members that can provide additional input. Please see the survey link below.
A recording is available of last week’s webinar, where TIAC’s President and CEO joined Minister Joly and Ben Cowan-Dewar, Chair of the Destination Canada Board, for the second COVID-19 webinar organized by Destination Canada, see link below:
- https://www.destinationcanada.com/en/coronavirus-updates/covid-19-webinar/01-apr-2020?utm_source=Destination+Canada+News&utm_campaign=ff51674c99-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_17_10_30_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_06c402d754-ff51674c99-56430083
A new analysis of global policies related to COVID-19 was released by the OECD today, and can be viewed online:
- http://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/en/#policy-responses
Government of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery. They are also partnering with Stats Canada on a national survey – goal to measure the impact on business, from a national perspective.
- https://www.canadianbusinessresiliencenetwork.ca/

Government Announcements

Today, the Prime Minister announced that additional supports are being looked at for Canadians who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), including those who are still working but are receiving less than the monthly benefit through CERB ($2,000); those working 10 hours a week or less; and students who were planning to work over the summer but will no longer have the option – a situation that the tourism industry is very familiar with.
This news comes on the day that applications to CERB are officially open. Those with a birthday in January, February or March can apply today and any Monday, and those with birthdates in other months can apply through the rest of the week (April, May, June birthdays apply on Tuesdays; July, August, September birthdays apply on Wednesdays; October, November, December birthdays apply on Thursdays; anyone can apply between Friday and Sunday).
- The link for applications can be found here
The Prime Minister also announced that the government is drafting legislation and working with the other parties to recall Parliament to enact the 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program – a much needed relief for tourism operators and businesses across Canada.
As of April 6, there are 15,822 cases of COVID-19 and 293 deaths in Canada.

Your Feedback is Essential

These are difficult times but we will get through this by working together.

While we appreciate the various financial stimulus and support programs the Federal Government has put in place, we recognize there are gaps. These are unprecedent times; every day another unique tourism industry specific challenge comes to light. The federal government has promised more programs and solutions in the coming days and weeks.

In the meantime, we want to hear from you; specific impacts on your business and experiences in accessing programs such as short-term loans through BDC, EDC and other financial institutions.

We would appreciate you taking part in a quick survey that will help us better understand your situation and together, build the road to recovery.

Survey links:

If you would prefer to share this information by phone, please contact:

Jennifer Taylor

VP Marketing and Member Relations

jtaylor@tiac-aitc.ca