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 from our members.
Please find the latest update on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of our members:
- Following yesterday’s economic response announcement, today, the Government assured Canadians that they are working to ensure the measures announced will be available to Canadians as quickly as possible.
- The Prime Minister said that he will be working closely with the clerk of the Privy Council to talk about support for public servants and ways to ensure Canadians can access support.
- As of March 18, there are 772 cases of COVID-19 in Canada, with 9 deaths. 55,000 Canadians have been tested, with 10,000 since yesterday. Canadians need to be assured that it will take time for social distancing to show results. What is concerning, is the sharp rise in cases as travel is being reduced.
- The government is continuing discussions with the US to implement non-essential travel restrictions across the border. They expect this to come into effect by Saturday, March 21st.
- Small business support was discussed again today. Directly from the Minister of Small Business’ office, here is additional information. The government is:
- Eliminating the payroll tax for three months by providing a 10% wage subsidy to small businesses;
- Helping businesses with cash flow by deferring tax payments until August 31st;
- Increasing credit available to farmers through Farm Credit Canada.
- Introducing a new Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks for self-employed people who are not eligible for EI sickness benefits.
- Establishing a coordinated approach with the financial sector: cutting interest rates to 0.75%, and major banks increasing lending capacity by $300 billion;
- Establishing a Business Credit Availability Program through BDC and EDC worth $10 billion – providing more short-term loans, working capital, and export insurance-credit so that more Canadian businesses are supported.
- Enhancing the Work-Sharing Program to help businesses pay wages so they don’t have to lay anyone off.
TIAC continues to seek more information on how these programs will roll-out for Canadians and tourism businesses.
WHERE TO START
Many Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs are anxious about how to get the help they need in the face of COVID-19. Here are a few good places to start:
- Visit the website for businesses for information about supporting your employees and your business. It will be constantly updated as the COVID-19 crisis evolve.
- Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your specific needs and questions about COVID-19.
- Consult the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s pandemic preparedness guide to help prepare your business in the days and weeks to come.
More announcements will be made in the coming days and weeks and TIAC continues to advocate for urgent measures to address immediate tourism business needs as one of the first and most impacted sectors in the economy.
- Navigate the crisis; to ensure we are working with other stakeholders and organizations supporting this sector, we are connecting daily with many other organizations to share ideas and push out vital information to as many people as possible. This includes regular calls and email communication to ensure TIAC members and the industry get timely updates on the COVID-19 situation, and what assistance is available to them. Today, these communications included;
- Calls with various elected and government officials, including Minister Morneau’s office and Gudie Hutchings, MP and Chair of the All-Party Tourism Caucus
- Ongoing calls with Destination Canada to rally industry together as co-presenters for the March 20 webinar sign up for The Visitor Economy Webinar
- Calls with ISED officials as well as Parks Canada to discuss on-going initiatives
- Meetings Mean Business Global to discuss impacts on the meetings and conventions sector and share advocacy activities occurring in other countries
- Keep you up-to-date on COVID-19, we invite you to check our website regularly for updates as well as to sign-up for our COVID-19 communications .
In addition to the work TIAC is doing, please review the list of industry support for Canadian businesses , as well as, a list of mental wellness national resources , and keep on the lookout for ongoing updates as we continue to work on your behalf to get through this crisis.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
List of relevant and official information sources regarding COVID-19:
MENTAL WELLNESS: at risk during this time of crisis
The current situation and social distancing measures may be impacting the mental health of stakeholders, their teams and family members. As such, we encourage you take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and to seek help as needed.
Below is a list of national resources that can be of assistance in helping manage the stress around the COVID-19 situation:
- Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645; 1-866-277-3553 (from Quebec):
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
- Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266
GOVERNMENT updates and useful links
TIAC will continue to represent your interests with government officials and decision-makers throughout this crisis. Please stay safe and let us know what more we can do to help.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Bell
President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
contact@tiac-aitc.ca
t: 613-238-6378
