Tourism Advocacy Update – July 30 - August 5, 2020 - Tourism Industry Association of Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – July 30 - August 5, 2020

Tourism Advocacy Update – July 30 - August 5, 2020

posted on August 5, 2020

July 30 - August 5, 2020

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. 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:

TIAC’s Advocacy Update

TIAC has released the results of our July industry survey on government support measures, and the state of industry businesses.
- You can review the results on TIAC’s website.
Today, the Tourism Industry Recovery Committee, Chaired by David McKenna, President of Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit and TIAC’s Board Chair, met to discuss the ongoing situation in all tourism sectors, and the next steps to push forward measures outlined in TIAC’s industry recovery plan.
On Monday, TIAC’s President & CEO will appear in front of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on tourism.
- TIAC will be emphasizing the importance of enhanced recovery measures.

Government Announcements

On Friday July 31st, the Prime Minister announced the government’s goal to transition everyone currently on CERB to a revamped EI system.
- There will be a catch-all program put in place to help those who don’t currently qualify for EI like contractors.
Over the weekend, the federal and provincial governments remained relatively quiet on tourism changes across the country. The federal government has not announced any further changes to CEWS since Bill-20 (Act respecting further COVID-19 measures) passed on July 27th.
The CRA has announced CEWS take-up is lower than expected with the update, and more effort will go into encouraging businesses to apply.
- The CRA will be launching a website on August 11th to get businesses ready for the ‘Period 5’ application opening on August 17th.
On Tuesday August 4th, Minister Ng met with the Tourism Industry Association of PEI and tweeted that “tourism supports 100k jobs across Atlantic Canada”. Minister Ng recommended that Atlantic Canadians travel local this summer as well.

In Case You Missed It …

Meetings Mean Business Canada and TIAC still need you to send letters to your MPs to support our COVID-19 advocacy initiatives! Please click on the following links to send a letter of support:
- MMBC
- Tourism Counts

Resources for Businesses

TIAC Member Keepoint is offering members of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada a 10% discount on its products for a period of 60 days. You will be able to purchase our products from our website at www.keepoint.ca – click here for promo code.
The Manitoba Tourism Education Council (MTEC) is offering their “Clean It Right” program certification free to tourism, hospitality, and retail industry businesses in Manitoba until June 1, 2021 – click here for more details.
- The certification is also available to operators in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador – please check with your provincial tourism association for costs and other information.
Our partners at Destination Canada are creating free online educational videos for tourism businesses – “Marketing Tips and Tricks” to increase their digital marketing presence. The first video in the series is available now.
TIAC member Tempest has created a free content platform called Rediscover Canada for destination professionals to share travel storiesand ‘hidden gems’ in their communities. You can check out and contribute to the initiative here.
The UNWTO has an online dashboard of international statistics on the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
MPI has created a coronavirus resource page that pulls together meetings and events information and also links to several other resources helpful to the Business Events segment in our sector.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a series of Global Safety Protocols for reopening with the ‘new normal’ in mind.
Go2HR has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for all types of sector businesses related to COVID-19.
For operators looking for information on how to prepare to safely reopen their operations, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a series of bilingual guidelines available to businesses regarding COVID-19.
Google for SMEs has also launched a page dedicated to supporting businesses during COVID-19 including practical steps and free digital skills training.

Looking Ahead – COVID-19 Recovery

Several provinces have begun announcing plans for reopening economies. Timelines and actions vary, but can provide businesses and workers with information on what to expect in the upcoming weeks and months. TIAC is following up on measures announced by British Columbia to limit gatherings of more than 50 people and seeking a coordinated approach between provinces in the recovery phase. We have reached out to our provincial counterparts to work together in an effort to create an orderly recovery strategy that will address health concerns and support tourism businesses. TIAC will continue to add links to provincial recovery plans as they become available: