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COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – April 21, 2021

Tourism Advocacy Update – April 21, 2021

Publié le 21 Avril 2021
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April 21, 2021
 
As the voice for Canada's Tourism Industry, we were pleased to see our sector recognized in the 2021 Federal Budget and our crisis acknowledged.
 
While the 2021 Federal Budget commits a $1 billion package of support for the tourism sector over three years including supporting community and major events, support for Destination Canada, and establishing a Tourism Relief Fund, TIAC’s work is far from over.  
 
In addition to advocating for the efficient and effective roll-out of programs, monitoring delivery amongst our members, and addressing the impact of CEWS and CERS changes, we will continue to elevate gaps and support needs.  
 
Moving forward, we will also concentrate on labour challenges, border reopening, and leading the effort to build consumer confidence.
 
Thank you for your continued commitment to our advocacy efforts and for strengthening our voice.
 
Our success begins with your support!
 
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:
 
 
TIAC’s Advocacy Update
 
This past Monday, April 19th, the federal government unveiled the 2021 Budget. We were pleased to see the specific mention and support outlined for tourism in the document.
  
2021 is a critical year for the restart of Canada’s tourism economy. TIAC’s 2021 Tourism Recovery Plan has been presented as a roadmap to government on the path forward for the tourism economy. Thank you for all of your support, and to those of you who wrote a letter to your MP. A number of outlined recommendations were addressed in the budget, and we look forward to continued collaboration with government on the intricacies and roll out of these programs.
 
TIAC has a number of meetings scheduled with offices of the Minister of Economic Development and Finance, as well as tourism champions from all parties, to discuss the support identified to help the Tourism Industry and how to on move it forward to ensure the much-needed help is delivered efficiently & effectively.
 
Yesterday, our President and CEO held a member’s only Budget Update and Fireside Chat webinar providing an overview of the proposed new support programs and how it could impact their businesses, as well as an update on TIAC’s advocacy initiatives moving forward.
 
Members who missed the session can find the recording here: https://bit.ly/32DbDDT
 
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments on the webinar to beth@tiac-aitc.ca 
 
A copy of our statement & overview of supports can be found here: https://bit.ly/3n6arlG
 
 
Government Announcements 
  • Supports for Tourism, Hospitality, Arts and Culture in the 2021 Federal Budget
    • The federal government announced the extension of several economic supports and the introduction of new targeted measures to support the tourism industry. These supports include:
      • Extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to September 25th, 2021.
      • Introduction of the Canada Recovery Hiring Program to offset employer wage/hiring costs.
      • Extension of the Canada Emergency Business Account to June 30th, 2021.
      • Commitment to a $1 billion package of support for the tourism sector over three years including supporting community and major events, support for Destination Canada, and establishing a Tourism Relief Fund.
    • Backgrounder Link: https://bit.ly/3v6hKg0 
  • Federal Government moving forward with Johnson & Johnson vaccine procurement
    • Despite the U.S. pausing on their use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Procurement Minister Anita Anand told a House Committee that the government will proceed with the plan to bring the vaccine to Canada.
    • Health Canada has deemed the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines safe and effective and the government will proceed with the procurement of 10 million doses expected to arrive sometime this month.
    • News Link: https://bit.ly/3g9WvWx
  • Federal Government secures 8 Million More Pfizer Vaccines
    • The federal government has secured an additional eight million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine coming over the next few months, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday, just as Moderna revealed coming shipments will be smaller than promised. 
    • These coming Pfizer shots will be on top of the existing doses Canada has already purchased, and will see four million additional doses arrive in May, two million additional shots in June, and two million more in July.
    • Release Link: https://bit.ly/3gfJZop 
  • Federal government extending hotel quarantine rules
    • The federal government will be extending hotel quarantine rules for international travelers until May 21st. All individuals arriving on an airplane from another country must quarantine at a designated hotel for three days pending the results of a COVID-19 test.
    • News Link: https://bit.ly/3sCYtBe 
  • $4.5 million in support announced for New Brunswickers to vacation at home this summer
    • The N.B. Department of Tourism is offering to pay New Brunswickers to vacation at home this summer as part of the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
    • The Explore NB Travel Incentive Program was introduced last year and will be renewed this year with a $4.5 million budget.
    • The department will also invest $200,000 to help bring meetings, conventions and sport tourism back to the province.
    • The department will also invest $350,000 in the tourism regional fund to assist regions with their tourism plans.
    • News Link: https://bit.ly/3e4od4h
  • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports marketing of Tourism and Hospitality Businesses
    • The provincial government announced funding to 7 businesses to help enhance their marketing and business development opportunities.
    • Release Link: https://bit.ly/3uVjzML
  • Quebec Tourism Industry looking to fill 40,000 jobs
    • Forty thousand tourism jobs currently need filling across Quebec- double the number of available jobs that existed in 2019.
    • Link: https://bit.ly/3e7uNqT
  • Nova Scotia announces $35 million in loan guarantees to tourism operators
    • The Nova Scotia government has announced $35 million in loan guarantees for three large tourism operators in the province.
    • The three operators that received approvals for loans are The Cabot Links golf resort, Ambassatours Gray Line and Murphy’s on the Water, and Coach Atlantic.
    • These operators were selected through a government application and vetting process.
    • Release Link: https://bit.ly/3sBcBuG
  • Nova Scotia announces new travel restrictions
    • Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin announced new travel restrictions for those entering the province.
    • Beginning on April 22nd at 8:00 a.m. AT, people will not be allowed to enter the province unless their trip is deemed essential or they are a permanent resident of the province.
    • Only individuals traveling from P.E.I. and Newfoundland & Labrador will be exempt from these new rules. Restrictions will be in place until May 20th, but may be extended if deemed necessary.  
    • News Link: https://bit.ly/2QKY42k
  • B.C. 2021 Budget invests $120 million to help the tourism sector recover
    • The B.C. provincial government announced $120 million in tourism sector specific supports in their 2021 budget.
    • $20 million will be used to extend the community destination development program, which funds new tourism infrastructure like trails or airports.
    • Budget contained continued funding for existing business supports, including $195 million for small and medium-sized recovery grants.
    • News Link: https://bit.ly/3avcqel
    • B.C. Budget: https://bit.ly/3tGFTJP
  • B.C. restrictions to protect summer travel season
    • Tourism industry leaders in BC indicate that the next five weeks are critical to saving the summer travel season.
    • Provincial government announced restrictions on non-essential travel of British Columbians outside of their health regions.
    • Travel restrictions expected to be extended through the May long weekend to bring case numbers down in advance of the busy tourism season.
    • Premier Horgan working with the tourism industry to reject bookings from people travelling outside of their local areas.
    • Details on restrictions to be introduced on Friday, April 23rd.
    • News Link: https://bit.ly/3gtK73I
  • Manitoba government expanding COVID-19 restrictions
    • The Manitoba government announced the expansion of restrictions amidst third wave case spikes. Beginning April 20, changes in restrictions will include:
      • Gathering on public or private property limited to a maximum of 10 people.
      • Faith-based gatherings limited to 25% capacity or 50 people.
      • Weddings and funerals reduced to 10 people.
      • News Link: https://bit.ly/3tC2Wp5

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