Tourism Advocacy Update – July 7-8, 2020 - Association de l'industrie touristique du Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – July 7-8, 2020

Tourism Advocacy Update – July 7-8, 2020

Publié le 8 juillet 2020

Thank you for your continued readership of TIAC’s COVID-19 updates. As the pandemic’s effect on our economy and way of life continues, TIAC continues to adapt its communication channels to keep the industry up-to-date with relevant information and announcements that are critical for businesses across the sector.

As always, we would like to recognize and thank TIAC members for their unwavering support of the association during these difficult times. We look forward to providing you with the information you need throughout this period, and as always we welcome your ideas and feedback at all times. Stay safe and stay well!

July 7-8, 2020

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. 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

Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau gave a fiscal update, and released an “Economic and Fiscal Snapshot” outlining the details of Canada’s current economic conditions.
- Importantly, the snapshot provides recognition of tourism’s disproportionate burden of the pandemic’s negative impacts, which indicates the government is listening and understands the gravity of the situation faced by the travel sector.
- Further, an additional $50 billion will be allocated to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), and it is expected that an extension of the program will be announced shortly.
- Broader details on the fiscal update can be found below under Government Announcements. The full Economic and Fiscal Update can be downloaded here.
Yesterday, TIAC’s President & CEO spoke with Minister Joly’s office to discuss the ongoing need for COVID-19 support programs and additional funds for the tourism sector into recovery. TIAC continues to need data to make the case for additional support for the visitor economy. Our survey was launched last week and we invite you to provide us with much-needed data to help us advocate on your behalf.
- Please take the survey now
If you are in the meetings and events sector, we strongly encourage you to send a letter to your MP to support the Meetings Mean Business Canada’s latest campaign, which can be found here.
Tourism sector businesses and organizations who want to comment on the government’s development of the Municipal Nominee Program and levels of future immigration can now fill out an online consultation form here.

Government Announcements

Early this afternoon, Finance Minister Bill Morneau gave an economic update in the House of Commons, highlighting the federal deficit increase to $343 billion as a result of COVID-19 spending.
- Of this, $212 billion represents direct federal support to individuals and businesses.
- They also highlighted that despite significant increases to the federal debt, they expect the economy to bounce back by 5.5% next year.
- TIAC continues to advocate for ongoing support for the tourism sector while emphasizing our ability to help Canada’s economic recovery to get back to previous business levels.
This morning, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that this summer the government will be developing a ‘work plan’ to address systemic racism in Canada, which will include updates to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
New polls from Nanos Research show that 81% of Canadians want the U.S. border to remain closed for ‘the foreseeable future’. You can read more on these insights here.
Service Canada has given notice that they have begun to open Service Canada Centres across Canada for in-person services.
- While Canadians are encouraged to continue to use online or telephone services whenever possible, those requiring in-person support should check the status of their local operations and book and appointment where possible.

In Case You Missed It …

Thanks to you, we are closer to reaching our letter writing campaign goal to garner 1000 letters by the end of this week. If you haven’t already done so, please go to TourismCounts.ca and click “send your letter” to help us reach our goal!

Resources for Businesses

The UNWTO has an online dashboard of international statistics on the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
MPI has created a coronavirus resource page that pulls together meetings and events information and also links to several other resources helpful to the Business Events segment in our sector.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a series of Global Safety Protocols for reopening with the ‘new normal’ in mind.
Go2HR has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for all types of sector businesses related to COVID-19.
For operators looking for information on how to prepare to safely reopen their operations, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a series of bilingual guidelines available to businesses regarding COVID-19.
Google for SMEs has also launched a page dedicated to supporting businesses during COVID-19 including practical steps and free digital skills training.
Our partners at Tourism HR Canada have opened their Emerit coursesand created a resource hub for sector businesses.

Looking Ahead – COVID-19 Recovery

Several provinces have begun announcing plans for reopening economies. Timelines and actions vary, but can provide businesses and workers with information on what to expect in the upcoming weeks and months. TIAC is following up on measures announced by British Columbia to limit gatherings of more than 50 people and seeking a coordinated approach between provinces in the recovery phase. We have reached out to our provincial counterparts to work together in an effort to create an orderly recovery strategy that will address health concerns and support tourism businesses. TIAC will continue to add links to provincial recovery plans as they become available: