May 4 2020 update from TIAC

The TIAC Team continues to monitor and provide daily updates 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 Tourism Sector:

TIAC’s Advocacy Update

·     TIAC’s President & CEO had phone calls with officials from the Minister of Finance’s office, as well as staff from the Minister of Small Business Export Promotion, and International Trade.

·     The CEO emphasized the importance of support for the tourism sector now and into recovery as the first hit, the hardest impacted and the industry that will experience the longest recovery;

·     In particular, she emphasized the importance of addressing liquidity measures to ensure tourism businesses are eligible and extending the wage subsidy well into recovery;

·     Gaps with existing measures were clearly identified, including small and seasonal businesses not qualifying for programs such as CEBA and the wage subsidy as well as the importance of supporting Destination Marketing Organizations as well as Meetings and Conventions;

·     The CEO also informed officials that TIAC had established an industry leaders COVID recovery committee working on a recovery package proposal for the entire industry.

·     Today, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced that sectoral specific support will be announced in the coming days.

·     VIDEO – (24:16-26:13)

·     TIAC will update industry when details of support become available

·     For operators looking for information on how to prepare to safely reopen their operations in the coming weeks, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a series of bilingual guidelines available to businesses regarding COVID-19

·     https://www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/covid19/

·     As of April 30, 2020, David Robinson has been named interim CEO of Destination Canada for a term of six months, or until such time as a new President is appointed

·     TIAC congratulates David Robinson on his appointment and looks forward to continuing working with him and the entire Destination Canada team.

In case you missed it … 

·     TIAC launched a survey assessing the impacts of COVID-19 on Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and gauging how existing tools are being accessed and what more is needed to address the needs of Canada’s DMO operators.

·     We invite all DMOs to fill out this survey to assist in our advocacy efforts representing you.

·     The latest State of the Industry weekly report from our partners at Twenty31 is now available on the TIAC website

·     These reports are made possible through Canadian Experience Fund funding.

Government Announcements

·     Today, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the tourism sector has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 and sector support will follow in the coming days;

·     The government has invested $240.5 million CAD to develop, expand and launch virtual care and mental health tools to support Canadians.

·     This investment will be used to create digital platforms and applications, improve access to virtual mental health supports and expand capacity to deliver health care virtually.

·     Over the weekend, Canada joined other global leaders to launch the Coronavirus Global Response. This is an online pledging event that aims to raise more than $8 billion USD to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat and protect people, and prevent further spread of COVID-19.

·     The Prime Minister highlighted the government has announced investments of over $850 million CAD to support this fundraising target, including supporting accelerated vaccine investment, mobilizing research companies and creating strategies to tackle misinformation.

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