August 2026

Greetings!

It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through August. I hope you and your business have had a strong summer, and I wish you a successful finish to the season. 

My thoughts are also with those affected by wildfires. Below, you’ll find resources from our Emergency Preparedness Initiative, developed with the Government of Canada, to reinforce tourism businesses.  

This summer, the TIAC team and our industry partners have been advancing your priorities on several fronts, from budget programs and strike solutions to career pathways. We brought member interests to 11 meetings with government officials and MPs representing ridings nationwide.  

And I’m pleased to share that our collective advocacy is resulting in real government action. New international agreements are expanding travel between Canada and several countries. The departments of immigration and transportation, as well as the PM’s office, recognize tourism as a vital contributor to the export economy and trade diversification. 

When we speak as one about the tourism’s value to Canada, decision makers listen. Advocacy progress takes persistence, and your membership helps give our industry that strong, united voice. Thank you for being part of it—and for everything you do to make Canada a place people want to visit. 



With gratitude, 

Sébastien Benedict 

President and CEO 

Tourism Industry Association of Canada 

Thank you to our

INDUSTRY PATRONS

TIAC’s six federal budget recommendations

Last week, we brought members’ priorities to the Minister of Finance, advocating for six measures in the 2026 fall federal budget to help tourism businesses grow. Our case is clear: Tourism builds Canada. Investing in the tourism industry is a powerful path to achieving the government’s Build Canada Strong objectives. Diversifying trade, expanding the economy, and supporting Canadian businesses, communities, and sovereignty: tourism touches it all. Smart investments and policy changes will support your operations and maximize Canada’s economic potential.  

Consult our full letter to the Department of Finance to further your advocacy efforts and amplify our collective voice. 

Our budget recommendations: 

Access to labour: 

1. Support year-round and flexible youth employment opportunities in the Canada Summer Jobs program. 

2. Address labour shortages through immigration as part of the Canadian International Workforce Program. 

Access to capital: 

3. Reinvest taxes into businesses with a Capital Gains Reinvestment Deferral for tourism. 

4. Help businesses deduct costs faster by including tourism assets in the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance. 

Access to Canada: 

5. Develop regional air connectivity and remote access by expanding the National Trade Corridors Fund. 

6. Increase Destination Canada’s international marketing capacity for priority non-U.S. global markets. 

Labour disruptions shouldn’t ground tourism

TIAC is pleased that WestJet and its flight attendants reached an agreement quickly. However, even a one-day disruption has long-lasting repercussions for businesses, workers, travellers, and communities. Transportation is essential to the success of tourism, so we’re working to strengthen our industry against labour disruptions. 

During the strike, TIAC acted fast in our industry’s best interests, urging the Government of Canada to intervene and help bring the disruption to a timely resolution. In addition, we made a submission to the Government of Canada’s Labour Code consultation, emphasizing that repeated transportation disruptions are having serious consequences for Canada’s visitor economy and require a more effective federal response. TIAC called for stronger federal resolution tools to prevent labour disruptions that maintain fair bargaining rights between unions and employers.  

Use our submission and join us in making tourism and transportation top of mind in future labour policy changes.