Canadian COVID-19 Update | Wednesday, June 3
June 3, 2020
TIAC’s Advocacy Update
- TIAC has been busy planning for the release of our industry recovery advocacy plan, which will be launched on Friday June 5th
- Look out for a special release with our official document. Visit Tourismmatters.ca on Friday for details on how to participate in a letter writing campaign to help spread the message to your local MPs!
- Yesterday, the Honourable Navdeep Bains announced the members of the Industry Strategy Council, including Destination Canada Board chair Ben Cowan-Dewar representing the tourism sector and Sylvie Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montreal Port Authority representing the Transportation sector The Council will hold virtual meetings every two weeks over the next 90 days.
- Yesterday, TIAC’s President and CEO participated in a call with other industry stakeholders in Canada’s Tourism Roundtable to discuss ongoing efforts to increase government dialogue on a plan for reopening the visitor economy and borders to tourism activity.
- Yesterday in the Senate National Finance Committee, Senator Duncan (Yukon) highlighted the need for more government dialogue and support for Canada’s tourism industry.
In Case You Missed It …
- The Ministry of Finance is seeking public input on the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program from Canadian employers – submissions are due on Friday June 5.
- TIAC encourages all industry businesses to take the time to fill out the consultation form, and emphasize the industry’s ongoing need for wage support while businesses try to reopen their doors with fewer financial resources this year
- Recordings of all of TIAC’s Virtual Town Hall sessions can be found on the TIAC website
- The latest Twenty31 ‘State of Tourism’ Dashboard is available now on the TIAC Website
- Parks Canada announced its participation in rent relief to align with the Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program.
- Parks Canada will be contacting all holders of commercial leases and licences of occupation in national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas to provide details on this additional relief being provided by the government.
- Information will also be made available soon on the Parks Canada website. Please visit pc.gc.ca regularly for updates.
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