Tomorrow is Canada Day, but this year feels different for many Canadians across the country. 

 

While we are lucky to live on such beautiful land, it is paramount to acknowledge the Inuit, Metis and First Nations peoples who were here long before the confederation. It is important to recognise the injustices committed against Indigenous peoples in the past, while also paying attention to their ongoing struggles, and to take action to support truth, justice, and reconciliation. Listen, learn, donate and volunteer when you can. Visit any one of our social pages tomorrow to find our statement as well as a list of resources.

 

As the National Voice for the Tourism Industry, it is TIAC’s privilege and responsibility to represent the suite of sectors that make up Canada’s visitor economy.  

 

We continue our push to open the borders and ensure ongoing sector specific support. With vaccinations rising and case numbers going down, we must now pivot to more forward-thinking policies, and talk about safely reopening the border, ending the financial crush that has hit the tourism economy in Canada. 

Canadians deserve a single national policy approach to travel that clarifies the country’s policy on vaccination certification, our international border, unvaccinated minors, partially vaccinated Canadians and other critical details that require national leadership. We are working hard to make this a reality for our industry. More than ever, clarity on what life looks like going forward is needed. 

 

To ensure that Canada remains active at the global table while new policies and processes are being developed for the traveller journey, TIAC is pleased to have been accepted as an Association Member of WTTC. We will be sharing global insights with you in future editions of this update.

 

As our efforts continue, we need your help. Please continue to engage by participating in our campaigns, sending a letter to your MP at openuscanborder.ca, and retweeting or commenting on our social media posts. 

 

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:

Over the last few weeks, TIAC has met with high-ranking officials in the Department of Finance, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Freeland to discuss the importance of ongoing support programs for our industry. We have also had conversations with multiple Regional Development Agencies across the country in advance of the details being released for the Tourism Relief Fund. 

 

Our other major focus continues to be the #Opentheborder campaign. TIAC has held meetings with the Ministries of Immigration, Intergovernmental Affairs and Small Business to outline the critical need for a plan for the summer tourist season for tourism businesses as support begins to decline. 

Please join us and send a letter of support for this campaign here: www.openuscanborder.ca

Send an email to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs at TIAC, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca if you would like your organization’s logo to be featured on the microsite in support of this campaign.

 

Our members are our priority. Please reach out with any comments or questions on advocacy initiatives to beth@tiac-aitc.ca