Canadian COVID-19 Update | July 14-15
July 15, 2020
TIAC’s Advocacy Update
- Thank you to everyone who participated in our latest industry survey on government programs. We received just under 500 responses, which we are tabulating now to assist in our efforts in advocating to government for extensions and improvements on COVID-19 support programs.
- We will provide a summary of results to the sector early next week.
- Today, the President and CEO participated in a meeting with representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to discuss the status of international students who are registered to begin classes in the fall and advocated for permission to allow these students to enter Canada for their studies.
- Yesterday, TIAC’s President and CEO spoke with Minister Joly about the state of the industry, the work being conducted by the tourism roundtable and other matters.
- She also participated in a regularly scheduled meeting with ISED ADM Paul Thompson where the CEWS, CEBA and Industry Council led by ISED were discussed.
- The President and CEO also participated in the Canada’s Tourism Roundtable discussions yesterday concerning ongoing border issues.
Government Announcements
- Today, Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick announced that he is considering extending the Atlantic bubble to include the Gaspésie region of Quebec before the end of the week, but suggested opening up to the rest of Canada should be pushed back for at least another week.
- New Brunswick also announced a 20% rebate (to a maximum of $1000) on overnight vacations taken by residents within the province. TIAC applauds these measures as a way to encourage and stimulate domestic travel
- The government of Canada is expected to announce a continued Canada-U.S. border closure to at least August 21, 2020.
- TIAC awaits details on the expected CEWS extension announced by the Prime Minister. Stay tuned for further details.