This week, TIAC President and CEO Beth Potter met with MP Vance Badawey, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services. Beth expressed appreciation for the extension of CEBA loan repayment, but that debt relief is still a significant concern for the industry. The seasonal business qualification issue with the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program was discussed in detail. TIAC reiterated support for the recently published ITAC Strategic Recovery Plan.
Beth met with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, MP Rachel Bendayan. MP Bendayan was well versed in all of our areas of concern, and has been a true champion for the industry as we move into recovery. Labour was a main area of focus during this discussion. We thank MP Bendayan for all of her support.
TIAC met with the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, regarding the Tourism Relief Fund in particular. TIAC will be sending a survey to members on this program in the near future to get your feedback.
TIAC also met with the Shadow Minister of Tourism, MP Michelle Ferreri. This meeting included members of our national cruise committee, and MP Fererri was very engaged learning about the needs of this specific sector of the industry. We look forward to working with MP Ferreri’s office to restore confidence in Canadian travel.
In all meetings, Beth stressed that the increasing and changing restrictions, and the additional travel advisories, are happening in our prime booking window for the summer season. TIAC expressed concerns about the messaging this is sending to travelers about coming to Canada.
We continue our regular touch base with department officials at Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) where we brief contacts on the major issues the industry is facing and what we need to do to move to recovery. Our focus continues to be on forming a strategy to address the chronic Labour Challenge, and to address consumer confidence in the tourism industry.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected]