Tourism Advocacy Update – April 14, 2020 - Association de l'industrie touristique du Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – April 14, 2020

Tourism Advocacy Update – April 14, 2020

Publié le 14 Avril 2020

Dear Tourism Stakeholders,

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 for all Tourism stakeholders.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Tourism Sector:

April 14, 2020

TIAC’s Work

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated in his daily press briefing today that specific support for the tourism sector, including airlines will be announced this week. This may include rent support and greater access to the Canada Emergency Business Account. TIAC continues to advocate for specific measures for those hardest hit during the pandemic. Your comments and stories are invaluable to our advocacy efforts in ensuring that measures meet our industry’s needs. While we do not yet have details on the forthcoming announcements, TIAC will share this information with the industry as soon as they are announced.
- Prime Minister Trudeau’s statement today can be viewed here: English
- French
TIAC President and CEO, Charlotte Bell, continues to participate in discussions on the current state of the Tourism industry with Government and stakeholders:
- On Monday, Charlotte participated in a regular industry call with ISED Assistant Deputy Minister Paul Thompson on the state of the industry
- Today, she continued discussions with Minister Joly’s office as well as McKinsey Research and the Canadian Craft Brewer’s association among others to obtain input and feedback.
TIAC participated in the Business Liaison Group call hosted by Judith Andrew the Commissioner (Employers) of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission to discuss program gaps and to gain clarity on criteria related to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
On Monday, members of the Conservative Party called on the Government to create support measures specific to the tourism and hospitality industry due to impacts of COVID-19. The proposal includes suggestions to:
- Temporarily allow owner-operators to qualify for the federal wage subsidy program
- Refunding a year’s worth of GST remittances to small businesses.
Statistics Canada is asking Canadians to share details of how COVID-19 is impacting their lives. The survey will only take 5-10 minutes to complete and will help Government identify the implications of COVID-19 in our daily lives.
- www.statcan.gc.ca/COVID-19-e
- French www.statcan.gc.ca/COVID-19-f
The Government of Canada has released new information on adding measures for more flexibility for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- English
- French
To build on the ongoing feedback we are getting from members through our survey and direct communications, and we are also analyzing and segmenting priority topics that help us inform our requests for meaningful relief measures and recommendations to Government. As such, we will be reaching out to members who can provide additional input. Please see the survey link below.

Government Announcements

Today, the Prime Minister announced that relief for especially hard-hit sectors – including tourism, including airlines – is coming soon. He noted that the Government’s initial focus was on ensuring support for Canadians and businesses regardless of sector, but recognizes that some sectors have been harder hit than others. He has indicated that more announcements will come in the coming days.
The Prime Minister also announced $130 million to help support northern communities and businesses in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
- Part of this funding includes money for CanNor to support small businesses access additional funding for support not covered by other programs
The Prime Minister also announced that as of midnight tonight, asymptomatic travelers arriving in Canada who do not have a reasonably acceptable quarantine plan will also be required to quarantine in hotels.
Finally, the Prime Minister announced that Canada has a total of 1.1 million N-95 masks, and millions of gloves ready to be delivered to provinces. There will also be a substantial supply of Canada-made gowns delivered on Monday. There will also be additional testing kits supplied to provinces

Your Feedback is Essential

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

TIAC has been at the forefront of recommending various financial stimulus and support programs from the Federal Government. For those already in place, we are thankful for what is already done but also recognize that there are significant gaps. These are unprecedent times; every day we hear of more challenges from members who cannot access these programs. That’s why your feedback is so important. The federal Government has promised more programs and solutions in the coming days and weeks. TIAC continues to work for you.

In the meantime, we need to continue to hear from you; tell us of the specific impacts on your business and your experience in accessing programs such as short-term loans through BDC, EDC and other financial institutions as well as the new wage subsidy.

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 email or phone, please contact:

Jennifer Taylor

VP Marketing and Member Relations

jtaylor@tiac-aitc.ca