Unlocking the full potential of Canada’s tourism workforce is key to empowering the government’s strategy for attracting top global talent and building a dynamic, inclusive economy. The tourism sector is remarkably diverse, featuring a broad spectrum of businesses and supporting a wide range of career trajectories.

Unfortunately, Canada’s tourism sector faces pervasive labour challenges that threaten its ability to meet rising demand and achieve its full economic potential. These issues range from recruitment difficulties to concerning cutbacks in post-secondary tourism programs, which jeopardize future talent pipelines.

Supporting key initiatives that promote and significantly enhance the flow of Canada’s youth, Indigenous, newcomer, and temporary resident workforce into tourism occupations will maximize the sector’s economic impact and its return on investment for public stakeholders. A robust investment in tourism workforce development is essential to nurturing a national talent pool that strengthens Canada’s economy.

Tourism HR Canada (THRC) is a well-recognized and respected national organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading, dynamic, and resilient tourism workforce. THRC maintains a dedicated slate of value-added programming to support the diverse needs of tourism employers. Its programming includes a strong focus on the needs of underrepresented groups and providing support to Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow a dynamic workforce in communities in every region of the country.

Recommendation 6

Provide core funding to Tourism HR Canada (THRC) to bolster strategic initiatives in support of tourism workforce growth. A consistent, annual investment of $3 million would provide valuable career planning, curriculum, and HR tools to job seekers, educators, and employers to create life-long career paths in hospitality, transportation, accommodations, and recreation and entertainment.