August 10 2020 Update from TIAC

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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

  • Earlier this afternoon, TIAC’s President & CEO appeared before the federal Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU) to discuss with Members of Parliament the crucial need for liquidity support for the industry in the face of COVID-19.

This message was supported by several other travel sector organizations and strongly underscored the need for federal assistance for our sector.

 

Government Announcements 

  • On Friday, FedDev Ontario announced an investment of $250,000 to grow microbrewery, cidery and winery tourism in Southern Ontario. Using the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages released the funding as the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
  • Statistics Canada has released the July job numbers, highlighting numbers for the accommodation and service industry. “In July, as the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions allowed Canadians to return to restaurants and outdoor patios, employment rose by 101,000 (+12.3%) in accommodation and food services, the third consecutive monthly increase. Despite these gains, employment in the industry was only 74.9% of its February level.”

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau announced new measures to support essential air access to remote communities. These include 1) seeking bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to ensure continuity of service for at least six months, 2) establishing a $75-million funding program for the federal contribution for the first six months and maintaining these essential services through an investment of up to $174 million over 18 months, if needed.

 

In Case You Missed It … 

  • Meetings Mean Business Canada and TIAC still need you to send letters to your MPs to support our COVID-19 advocacy initiatives! Please click on the following links to send a letter of support:
  • MMBC
  • Tourism Counts

 

Resources for Businesses 

Google for SMEs has also launched a page dedicated to supporting businesses during COVID-19 including practical steps and free digital skills training.

 

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:

Email Updates Archived
New information is being shared at a rapid pace and we know it can be overwhelming. If you think you may have missed something, head over here to see all our communications that we’ve released so far:

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TIAC continues 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.