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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 note, daily updates will return on Tuesday April 14, 2020 in respect of the upcoming Easter long weekend.
Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Tourism Sector:
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April 9, 2020
TIAC’s Work
- Last night, TIAC’s President and CEO, Charlotte Bell, presented to the Parliamentary Finance Committee (FINA), where she spoke passionately about the need to ensure current measures, while helpful, must be accessible to those hardest hit - businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector. She also emphasized the need for immediate access to liquidity. Our President and CEO also addressed the need to first and foremost, address relief and quickly turn attention on recovery focused on the long-term sustainability of the industry, as tourism will be among those industries who will need time to fully recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
- Charlotte’s full statement can be found here. TIAC will share the official transcripts as soon as they become available.
- TIAC’s President and CEO and Chair, David McKenna have launched an industry-led, COVID-19 recovery working group to help inform a set of recommendations for a federal tourism stimulus package that will ensure liquidity, support a wide range of sector businesses, promote domestic and inbound travel, and help the return of millions of workers back into their jobs. This group is chaired by TIAC’s Board Chair, David McKenna, President of the Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit who proudly leads this group of industry leaders, who will consult with their peers across the country:
- Charlotte Bell, President and CEO, TIAC
- Steve Sammut, President and CEO, Rocky Mountaineer
- Cathy Duke, CEO, Destination St. John's
- Andrew Lind, Chief Operating Officer, Muskoka Language International
- Don Cleary, President of Marriott Hotels of Canada
- Robert Mercure, President and CEO, Palais des congrès de Montréal
- Nancy Stibbard, Owner and CEO, Capilano Group
- Paul Nursey, President and CEO, Destination Greater Victoria
- Cathy Pugh, General Manager, Fredericton Convention Centre
- Ian Clark, Chief Financial Officer, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
- Teresa Ryder, Director of Business Development, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- David Mounteer President and CEO, Jonview Canada
- Johanne Bélanger, Vice-President, Field Marketing U.S. and Canada, Marriott International
- Mike McNaney, President and CEO, National Airlines Council of Canada
- 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 the government identify the implactions of COVID-19 in our daily lives.
- The government of Canada has released new information on adding measures for more flexibility for the Canada Emergancy Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- To build on the ongoing feedback we are getting from members through the survey and direct communications, we are also analyzing and segmenting priority topics that help us inform our relief requests and recommendations to Government. As such, we will be reaching out to members that can provide additional input. Please see the survey link below.
Government Announcements
- Today, the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of continuing to practice social distancing, especially with the upcoming long weekend and start of spring weather.
- Over 4.5 million Canadians have already been approved for the CERB, and the government is working with the opposition on passing legislation to finalize the CEWS. Discussions continue on the best way to hold meetings, whether virtually or physically.
- The Prime Minister reiterated that we can expect to see the end of the first wave of the pandemic over the summer, with smaller waves to follow this
- Scenarios are between 4,000 and 44,000 deaths depending on individual actions, including social distancing. 94% of Canada’s cases are in four provinces, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
- The country has received millions more masks this week to help protect our frontline workers.
- There are now 19,774 cases of COVID-19 in Canada, with 461 deaths.
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