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Advocacy > Hill Days 2024

TIAC Hill Days 2024

October 7-9, 2024

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is once again leading a series of advocacy meetings with Parliamentarians and federal departmental officials during its Hill Days event, taking place Oct. 7-9, 2024. These meetings aim to raise awareness of the issues faced by the tourism industry and to champion policies the Government can introduce to help rebuild the visitor economy.

KEY PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

TIAC is working toward the following as the path to growth:

Rebuild Canada’s Tourism Workforce

  • Fund a dynamic national career marketing campaign to promote tourism occupations to Canada's youth through $5 million, three-year investment​
  • Fund the development of a dedicated workforce strategy for Canada's Indigenous tourism industry​
  • Provide funding for a three-year national program via Tourism HR Canada to transition newcomers and members of underrepresented communities into tourism occupations​
  • Extend the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)​
  • Maintain the level of position approvals for tourism sector employers within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program​

Invest in Tourism Infrastructure

  • Launch a dedicated Tourism Infrastructure Fund to support major capital projects in the sector​
  • Establish a tax credit program to incentivize investment in new tourism assets, and the upgrading of existing infrastructure​
  • Support infrastructure investment for Canada's network of airports via a dedicated fund and increased investment in the Airports Capital Assistance Program​

Expand Connectivity Across Canada

  • Develop a national, multi-modal transportation strategy that expands connectivity, enhances rural/urban connections, and improves traveller access to and throughout Canada​

Invigorate Canada’s Business-Events Sector

  • Extend funding to Destination Canada via the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) for an additional two years​

Expand Canada’s Destination Marketing Capacity

  • Support Destination Canada's vital marketing and industry-building initiatives through an increase to its annual base parliamentary appropriations​

Invest in Environmental Sustainability

  • Invest in the domestic production of biofuels and green solutions for Canada’s transportation sector

Launch a Cruise-Ship Sector Consultation

  • Develop a cruise sector strategy to bolster infrastructure and leverage the economic impact of international passengers in communities Canada-wide

Expedite Entry for International Visitors

  • Add a new round of eligible countries to Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program

 

Taking Our Message to the Hill

TIAC’s messaging during these Hill Days meetings will be focused on the specific recommendations laid out in its submission for its pre-budget submission.

Here's how you can help!

Help us ensure the most robust recovery possible for tourism. Each day of Hill Days we’ll be sharing a message to raise awareness of the importance of our sector and the challenges it faces. Please amplify these on your channels, either directly from our pages or by downloading the images beside it.

We thank you for all your support – don't forget to tag us in the post!

images/HillDays2024Generic.png

 

 

Monday, October 7

Tuesday, October 8

Wednesday, October 9

TIAC members are on the Hill this week as part of our annual Hill Days event. We’re raising awareness with Parliamentarians around what is needed to build back better for Canada’s visitor economy.

#TourismCounts #TIACHillDays #CdnPoli

Tourism businesses across Canada continue to struggle financially, face barriers to recovery, and have considerable challenges attracting workers. Follow along as we meet with Parliamentarians this week and ensure your voices are heard.

#TourismCounts #TIACHillDays #CdnPoli

By investing in tourism, we create jobs; we promote environmental protections; we support culture; we support Indigenous tourism; and we support communities through housing and sustainability.

#TourismCounts #TIACHillDays #CdnPoli

 

Tourism by the Numbers

Tourism is massive, globally. Prior to the pandemic, it was:

One of the world’s largest sectors, accounting for 1 in 4 of all new jobs created in the world, 10.3% of all jobs (333 million), and 10.3% of global GDP (USD $9.6 trillion). International visitor spending amounted to USD $1.8 trillion in 2019 (6.8% of total exports).

The growth rate of global tourism before COVID outpaced that of the global economy for nine consecutive years. And despite the pandemic, and through recovery, tourism has continued to demonstrate a very high potential for strong growth into the future.

At the end of 2023:

  • Tourism spending in Canada hit an all-time high of $113,4 billion.
  • Tourism accounted for 2 million tourism jobs nationwide.
  • Tourism accounted for 2% of Canada’s total annual GDP.

Tourism matters.

It is the best way to demonstrate to the world our ideals as a nation – resilience, tolerance, sustainability, and inclusivity. Tourism is crucial to fostering a sense of national pride and civic engagement, as well as in in sharing Canada’s values and principles with the world.

Our collective beliefs are needed in the world now more than ever.

Investing in tourism also leads to economic growth, job creation, and environmental protection, and supports the flourishing of local culture, including Indigenous heritage. It also promotes peace, prosperity, and a respect for human rights.

Tourism also generates considerable revenue in Canada for all levels of government, which ultimately benefits all people across the country.

 

Check out the photos of Hill Days 2023 presented by TIAC!

Hill Days 2023

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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