CANADIAN COVID-19 UPDATE | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

June 17, 2020

TIAC’s Advocacy Update

The TIAC President & CEO held a meeting yesterday with ISED Associate Deputy Minister Paul Thompson
- The President continues to emphasize TIAC’s latest #TourismCounts campaign with a push for a more cohesive recovery and economic reopening plan.
This Sunday, June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day – a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Let us join together on June 21st, to respect, learn and appreciate Indigenous culture and enjoy the summer solstice; the longest day of the year.
- As Canada’s tourism sector begins the process of reopening, rebuilding and recovering, it is vital that government supports the sustainability of Indigenous tourism businesses and the associations across Canada who are contributing to business growth and success. For more information on the Tourism Recovery Plan please click here
- For more information on supporting indigenous tourism businesses as we move through recovery, please visit https://indigenoustourism.ca/corporate/itac-strategic-recovery-plan/ and view their “Virtually Yours” campaign which highlights Indigenous peoples from across Canada: https://vimeo.com/416435049
Our partners at TourismHR Canada have launched the COVID-19 Tourism Workforce Impact Survey
- If you are a business owner in our sector, please take a few minutes to help collect this important information on how COVID-19 impacts you and your employees – click here

Government Announcements

Earlier today, the government announced that they will update the country on the state of government finances on July 8.
- TIAC will closely monitor this fiscal and economic snapshot, and its implication on our industry.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed recent rumours that the US/Canada border closure will be extended by 30 days to July 21, 2020. This was first reported in Reuters last week, and TIAC has been closely monitoring the situation.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended for an additional 8 weeks. This is for Canadians who are currently receiving the CERB, and still can’t get back to work. The Prime Minister also confirmed that the government will no longer be moving forward on attestations from CERB applicants that they are trying to get back to work.

In Case You Missed It …

TIAC has launched a new letter writing campaign, and we need your help reaching politicians across Canada to send the message that #TourismCounts and we need support now.
- Visit TourismCounts.ca and click “Send Your Letter” to ask your MP to support the tourism industry through COVID-19 recovery efforts.
- We ask business leaders to also encourage their staff and suppliers to send a letter as well – we need everyone to lend a voice to our message!
The Government of Canada has announced applications are open for the Enabling Accessibility Fund – which aims to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to take part in community activities, programs and services, or to access employment.
- Workplace project applications must aim at removing barriers and increasing accessibility and/or safety in facilities where persons with disabilities work or could work in the future.
- If you would like to apply for funding or learn more about EAF funding opportunities underway, please visit the EAF funding webpage.

Resources for Businesses

MPI has created a coronavirus resource page that pulls together meetings and events info and also links to several other resources helpful to the Business Events portion of our sector.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has begun releasing Global Safety Protocols for reopening with the ‘new normal’ in mind.
Go2HR has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for all types of sector businesses related to COVID-19.
For operators looking for information on how to prepare to safely reopen their operations in the coming weeks, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a series of bilingual guidelines available to businesses regarding COVID-19.
Google for SMEs has also launched a page dedicated to supporting businesses during COVID-19 including practical steps and free digital skills training.
Our partners at Tourism HR Canada have opened their Emerit courses and created a resource hub for sector 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: