July 22 2020 Update from TIAC

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Not a TIAC Member? 

Wondering why you should join the association? 

Today’s COVID-19 Update is one of many examples of the work the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) does on behalf of its members. TIAC has been the industry’s voice during the COVID-19 pandemic providing advocacy, leadership, and support to all operators.

As a not-for-profit organization, our work is only possible because of paid members and partners. TIAC members fuel our work for the benefit of all tourism stakeholders.

Today, we invite you to join TIAC and contribute to our efforts. By joining, you will have unlimited access to TIAC’s full suite of tools and resources to navigate through these difficult times, in addition to regular member benefits. TIAC’s annual membership starts at $395.

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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

  • Following the government’s announcement last Friday on amendments to the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program, TIAC has been in discussions with the Minister’s office, the Finance department as well as several members of parliament to highlight concerns related to the complexity of the new program and possible ways to address those challenges.
  • TIAC continues to emphasize that while the extension of CEWS and the safe harbour clause are positive steps taking us to the end of the summer, the program as designed falls short of meeting the needs of our industry in the Fall. It also introduces very complex processes and conditions that will be difficult for everyone, including small businesses to navigate. Our discussions with government are ongoing.
  • Yesterday TIAC joined Judith Andrew, Commissioner (Employers) at the Canada Employment Insurance Commission who hosted a call with the Business Liaison Group for a briefing by the Department of Finance on new CEWS rules where the complexity of the program was raised by all stakeholders.
  • Earlier today, Statistics Canada released monthly international visitor statistics for May showing that visitation continues to be down by a staggering 98.5% compared to this time last year. Overall, international visitation is down 60.6% YTD in all inbound markets this year.
  • TIAC continues to work with our partners such as the Canadian Tourism Roundtable to encourage the government to implement a smart, strategic reopening plan for international borders in order to help recover some arrival numbers when it is safe to do so.

 

Government Announcements 

  • Today, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that is looking to bring in new regulations requiring all short-term property rentals in the province — including Airbnb listings — register for a license.
  • There will be no fees associated with registering, although a license will give municipalities the opportunity to know who is operating in their jurisdictions, and tax accordingly.
  • Late last week, Alberta’s public health officer Dr. Hinshaw officially announced the reopening of indoor exhibits and trade shows in Alberta – a positive step forward in reopening the important meetings and conventions sector in a safe and sustainable way.
  • TIAC and other partners continue to advocate for smart reopening policies such as this one throughout Canada.

In Case You Missed It … 

Thanks to you, we are closer to reaching our letter writing campaign goal to garner 1000 letters by the end of this week. If you haven’t already done so, please go to TourismCounts.ca and click “Send your Letter” to help us reach our goal! Your voice is extremely important in helping us advocate on your behalf.

Send your letter now!

 

Resources for Businesses 

 

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:

READ MORE

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.