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COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Counts – TIAC In ACTION – August 11, 2021

Tourism Counts – TIAC In ACTION – August 11, 2021

posted on August 11, 2021
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August 11, 2021
 
After more than 17 months, this week we saw a significant change to border restrictions allowing fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents of the United States to enter Canada for non-essential travel. An important and promising step towards recovery and a return to normal travel.  
 
The next step will be September 7th, when Canada’s borders will be open to any fully vaccinated travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days before entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements. This is contingent upon that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable.
 
We look forward to a return to normal at the border as soon as possible and will continue to work with government to address the many questions you may have on these developments.  
 
While we take these critical first steps towards travel recovery, we know that support for the industry is needed more than ever and the return to normal will not happen overnight.  
 
As your National Voice and Champion for the Visitor Economy, we continue our advocacy efforts, including working with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses aiming for a proposed sector-specific survival program for our hardest-hit businesses until Spring of 2022. We have been briefing federal officials including Finance Canada and the Prime Minister’s Office on the need for a survival program, and we ask for your support and engagement to amplify our voice. Please learn more about this vital work and send your letter of support today by visiting www.hardesthit.ca.
 
With last month's launch of the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), we also ask for your feedback on the process - please forward your thoughts, experience, comments or questions to beth@tiac-aitc.ca.
 
Finally, as we look to an anticipated upcoming federal election, know that we will continue to fight for the tourism economy - through recovery and beyond. As we work towards election preparation, we need your feedback on key issues and priorities of Canada's Visitor Economy and encourage you to complete our survey by August 16th.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Beth Potter
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
 
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:
 
Advocacy Update
 
Budget Submission
TIAC finalized its Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in advance of the upcoming Federal Budget supported by all 13 of Canada’s Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Associations. The submission is available here.
 
Pre-Election Planning and Consultation
With the expectation of a Federal Election call in the next few weeks, TIAC has already started to gather input on priorities issues and has released a comprehensive survey.  
 
Through completing the survey, TIAC Members have the chance to win "Free in-person registration to the 2021 Tourism Congress on November 30 and December 1 including free return airfare to Ottawa and 2 night accommodation at The Westin Ottawa."
 
TIAC Non-Members have the chance to win “Free virtual registration to the 2021 Tourism Congress on November 30 and December 1”
 
Deadline to complete the survey is August 16th.
 
Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses
TIAC continues to work closely with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, in our effort to establish a tailored, sector specific survival program.
 
Our Federal Ask is to establish a COVID Tourism and Events Business & Employee Survival Program, in order to provide qualified and limited financial support to tourism and events businesses with significant revenue losses from September 2021 to May 2022.
 
How you can help
  • Engage with your local MPs/Candidates this summer – whether it’s a meeting, email, phone call, when they come knocking on your door, or a letter. You can find your local Member of Parliament here.
 
  • Download and share our key messaging guidelines here.
 
  • Send a letter to your local Member of Parliament. It is already written, you simply need to press send! Please do so on our microsite and ask your networks to do the same at HardestHit.ca
 
  • Spread the word on social media:
  • About our call for more support:
  • Canada’s #HardestHit businesses will need help over the upcoming months, and particularly the September-May period for some, through continued wage and fixed cost support. Learn More: HardestHit.ca
 
  • Encourage your network to send a letter:
  • Send a letter to your Member of Parliament to ask them to roll out sector-specific support at the earliest opportunity for Canada's #HardestHit businesses to ensure their survival into the fall and winter. Visit: HardestHit.ca
 
  • Keep us in the loop:
  • Let us know how you make out! Who did you meet with? What kind of reception did you receive? Use the Advocacy Campaign dashboard to report your meetings and share comment
 
Tourism Relief Fund
TIAC is working closely with ISED to understand the full details on the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF). Please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca, with any questions or feedback on the TRF.
 
Federal Government and Canada in the News
 
Destination Canada provides up to date domestic travel restrictions and traveller self isolation requirements for all provinces and territories 
 
As of Monday, August 9, fully vaccinated American travelers can enter Canada
 
U.S. indicating they will accept fully vaccinated travellers in the near future
  • In a move that may bode well for re-opening the southbound American land border to Canadians, the US government is taking the first steps toward requiring nearly all foreign visitors to the US to be vaccinated for the coronavirus.
  • According to a White House official, the requirement would come as part of the administration’s phased approach to easing travel restrictions for foreign citizens to the country.
  • The Biden administration has faced pressure to lift some restrictions from affected allies, the air travel industry and families who have been kept separated from loved ones by the rules.
  • No timeline has been given on the phased timeline.
  • News Link
 
PM asks top public servant to look into mandatory vaccination for federal workers
  • Yesterday, PM Trudeau said that he has asked the clerk of the Privy Council to look into making vaccines mandatory for federal employees and is pleading with hesitant Canadians to get their shots.
  • The prime minister also said the government is looking into making vaccines mandatory in federally regulated industries, such as the airline, banking and rail sectors.
  • News Link
 
Customs and Border Services Unions and the Canadian government reach an agreement
  • After a final round of negotiations that lasted more than 36 hours, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on August 6th.
  • This secures a tentative agreement impacting nearly 9,000 border service employees.
  • The agreement means an immediate end to work-to-rule strike action that had begun Friday, August 6 and ensures the flow of border traffic will return to normal as the government prepares to welcome fully vaccinated US travellers.
  • News Link
 
Business Resources & Programs
 
THRC launches Propel - Workforce Lifeline for Hardest-Hit Tourism Sector
  • HR Canada announced the launch of a new program called Propel, funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program.
  • The program provides “post-secondary students with paid work-integrated learning opportunities with tourism and hospitality employers.
  • Employers who hire students through this initiative receive a wage subsidy of 75% of the student’s wages, up to a maximum of $7,500.”
  • Learn more
 
  • Of the $50 million announced for fiscal 2021-2022 from Budget 2021, this program constitutes Stream One: $25 million for Canada’s live music sector.
  • Learn more
 
Provincial and Territorial Covid Update at a glance
 
American tourists return to Niagara Region's attractions as border reopens
  • American tourists returned to the Niagara Region for the first time in more than a year on Monday to take in the area's attractions and explore nearby wine country.
  • They were welcomed back by local businesses who rely heavily on tourism and have been feeling the pinch from more than a year of pandemic restrictions at the border.
  • At a border crossing in Niagara Falls, cars lined up to be processed on Monday.
  • In the nearby tourist district of Clifton Hill, sidewalks and attractions were buzzing as families enjoyed the summer day.
  • News Link
 
Ottawa festivals applaud 'critical' funding from province
  • Ontario announced one-time investment of $50M for province's festivals this week.
  • Ottawa's festival organizers say a cash infusion from the provincial government will pave the way for a revival of major musical and cultural events in the region.
  • The Ontario government promised $5.7 million in funding this week — more than five times the amount the province gave Ottawa festivals last year — festivals say will help them restart safely, bring back artists, and build on virtual projects developed during the pandemic.
  • The funding was announced by local MP Lisa MacLeod, who is Ontario's Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, as part of a $50 million investment in Ontario's festivals and events.
  • News Link
 
Nunavut extending Public Health Emergency
  • Nunavut’s Minister of Health Lorne Kusugak has extended the territory’s public health emergency until August 19, 2021.
  • All existing measures under the public health emergency order remain in effect.
  • Release Link
 
Northwest Territories extending Public Health Emergency
  • Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green has extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act on the advice of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. Kami Kandola.
  • The latest extension continues through August 17, 2021.
  • Release Link
 
Newfoundland marks a COVID-free weekend as it drops mask mandate
  • Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, a positive sign as the province removes its legal requirement of wearing masks in public spaces.
  • The Department of Health and Community Services provided its first update since Friday, when Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald announced the mask mandate will be removed today.
  • Fitzgerald said Friday the government is still strongly encouraging people to wear masks in public spaces but circumstances have changed — particularly with the progress of the province's vaccination strategy — enough to warrant removing a legal requirement.
  • News Link
 
Nova Scotia Liberals commit to vaccine passport system if re-elected
  • Liberal Leader Iain Rankin is promising that a re-elected Liberal government would bring in a COVID-19 vaccine passport system.
  • On Monday, Rankin said individuals could use the proposed ScotiaPass as proof they are fully vaccinated, and businesses and other organizations would also be able to use the system to limit access to their services.
  • Rankin said the system would be brought in as a voluntary measure, but the provincial government could make its use mandatory.
  • News Link
 

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