Tourism Advocacy Update – March 10, 2021 - Association de l'industrie touristique du Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – March 10, 2021

Tourism Advocacy Update – March 10, 2021

Publié le 10 Mars 2021

March 10, 2021

TIAC continues efforts meeting with MPs of all parties to discuss the 2021 Tourism Recovery Plan leading up to the federal budget.

How can you help? Send a letter to your MP in support of the sector. Visit TourismCounts.ca and simply enter your name & address. Please share with your networks by using our instant share buttons or downloading one of our shareables at TourismCounts.ca!

Over 1,100 letters have been sent already. This shows the sector’s united voice and call for action. Please take a few minutes to send your letter now and share that you did so on your social networks!

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

TIAC’s Acting CEO, Board Members, Recovery Committee Members and our Provincial and Territorial Industry Association partners continue this week to meet with and present our plan for recovery to MPs and Ministers. As we look towards the upcoming federal budget, we are asking for investment and support for the tourism economy. With government support, we can plan for the survival of the industry.

To compliment and further our efforts, please get involved and show your support for the industry by sending a letter to your local MP at tourismcounts.ca. Simply enter your name, address, and send!

TIAC’s Acting CEO continues to meet with representatives from ISED and BDC to share member’s feedback on HASCAP– we encourage you to share your feedback so that we can advocate for you on where adjustments need to be made.

We are working hard to advocate on behalf of our members and on behalf of the industry. Please reach out to the team with any questions or comments on our efforts!

Government Announcements

Vaccine Progression by Province May Be Viewed Here: https://bit.ly/2L42miR
- Canada COVID Tracker: https://bit.ly/2JGK2M2
- Global COVID Tracker: https://bit.ly/3qwcdwX

Health Canada Authorizes Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 Vaccine
- Health Canada concluded the single shot vaccine has an efficacy rate of 66.9 per cent and has authorized it for use for adults aged 18 and older.
- Canada has ordered 10 million doses from Johnson & Johnson, with options for up to 28 million more.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/2O40k3T

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
- Please take a moment to fill out our 5-minute survey if you plan on, or have, applied for the program.
- English Link: https://www.research.net/r/LY35N7D
- French Link: https://www.research.net/r/tiacHASCAPsurvey

Quebec Returns to Orange Zone, Montreal Region To Remain Red
- Montreal, Laval, Montérégie, the Laurentians and the Lanaudière region will remain red zones.
- Orange Restrictions:
- Tourism accommodations: Only residents at the same address may occupy a unit in a tourist accommodation establishment.
- Retail, personal services, museums: Open.
- Restaurants: Open, with a maximum of 2 adults per table.
- Curfew pushed to 9:30 PM.
- Outdoor activities: Max 8 people.
- News Link: https://bit.ly/3qpN32V

Quebec will Table the Province’s Budget March 25, 2021

Ontario Lifts Stay at Home Orders in Toronto, Peel and North Bay
- Toronto and Peel will return to Ontario’s Gray Lockdown restrictions, while North Bay will return to red.
- Both will allow for additional retail to open, however gyms, personal care services and indoor dining will be prohibited within regions in lockdown.
- News Link: https://bit.ly/2MWVkxo

Ontario Establishes Tourism Economic Recovery Task Force
- Chaired by former Cabinet minister Tim Hudak, the task force will provide advice and recommendations on how to help the province's tourism industry recover.
- It will also offer a forum for sector partners and leaders to share ideas, collaborate, and provide advice and information to the minister on approaches to support the economic recovery of the industry.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/2OGsu4M

New Brunswick Moves All Zones to Yellow
- Social bubbles expand to 15.
- Indoor dining allowed with social bubbles.
- Indoor gatherings, 50 per cent capacity.
- Outdoor gatherings limited to 50 people.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/3chdRwW

Yukon Releases Covid Strategy
- The approach focuses on reducing or modifying COVID-19 restrictions. It is contingent on the territory's overall vaccination rate, the new case count remaining low, the understanding and impact of the COVID-19 variants, and ongoing adherence to public health measures.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/3sUisMi

Alberta Enters Full Step 2 Of Reopening
- Hotels, banquet halls, community halls, and conference centres: may open with restrictions.
- Retail: open at 25 per cent.
- Restaurants: Open for indoor dining, 6 per table, tables 2m apart, close by 11PM.
- Indoor recreation: may open for one on one training, and youth groups.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/30rKkv8
- Step 2: https://bit.ly/3qCd676

BC Funding Inter-City Bus Service, Regional Airports
- The Province is providing one-time funding of up to $10.7 million for inter-city bus operators and up to $16.5 million for regional airports to support operations between April 1, and March 31.
- Release Link: https://bit.ly/3quSQnz