Canadian COVID-19 Update | Monday, May 25
May 29, 2020
TIAC’s Advocacy Update
- This week marks the beginning of Tourism Week where TIAC will be co-hosting Town Hall Meetings in Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta where we will discuss the state of tourism in Canada and TIAC’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry.
- The first virtual Tourism Town Hall for Manitoba businesses takes place tomorrow (May 26) from 9:00 – 10:30 am Central – register now!
- Today, the government announced that applications are open for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) – you can find more details below in Government Announcements
- The latest issue of the Twenty31 tourism sector dashboard is now available on the TIAC website
Government Announcements
- Today, the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program portal has opened for applications. As part of this program, property owners will reduce rent by at least 75% for the months of April, May and June (retroactively). CECRA will cover 50% of the rent, with tenants paying up to 25%.
- Further, the government announced they will be launching a phone line with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for small businesses to gain access to an accountant or financial support for questions. Details to come.
- Newfoundland Premier, Dwight Ball, announced $25 million to assist eligible tourism and hospitality-based operators impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Under the ‘Tourism and Hospitality Support Program’, eligible small and medium sized operators will be able to apply for a onetime, non-repayable contribution of either $5,000 or $10,000, dependent on gross sales.
- Program details will be posted in the coming days, here www.gov.nl.ca/tcii/. Eligible businesses will be able to apply as of June 8th.
- In British Columbia, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture was involved in an announcement today that 59 B.C. community DMOs severely impacted by COVID-19 will be supported with a $10 million grant from the province.
- The funding is aimed to help DMOs retain crucial staff positions and offset fixed expenses.