October 27, 2021:

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation, as well as highlights of TIAC's recent advocacy efforts. TIAC is working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

Advocacy Update

Federal Cabinet Announcements

TIAC welcomes Randy Boissonnault as the new Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance. TIAC is extremely grateful to see the re-introduction of a dedicated Ministry for tourism, a clear acknowledgment of the importance of our industry to Canada’s overall economic growth and future prosperity for all Canadians. 

TIAC warmly welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Randy Boissonnault and very much look forward to working with him to ensure we will achieve the goal of rebuilding Canada’s travel economy and regaining our leading competitive position in the global tourism market.  

TIAC also congratulates previous Minister of Economic Development, Melanie Joly, in the new role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. TIAC is thankful for her dedication to tourism over the past few years. 

TIAC works on a regular basis with a number of Ministries, and will be sending out welcome letters requesting a meeting as official contact information is announced. TIAC also looks forward to the forthcoming mandate letters to understand exactly how each Ministry will support our industry.  

Please see here for the full list of thew newly appointed Cabinet positions. 

Support Programs 
Last week,  the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced the extension of targeted measures for the tourism sector. This includes moving from broad-based support provided during the height of the lockdowns to more targeted measures for businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges. 

Funding includes two new streams:

• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, which would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, to a number of sectors within the tourism industry, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent
• Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, which would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs to support other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent

Applicants for these programs will use a new “two-key” eligibility system whereby they will need to demonstrate significant revenue losses over the course of 12 months of the pandemic, as well as revenue losses in the current month. These programs will be available until May 7, 2022, with the proposed subsidy rates available through to March 13, 2022. From March 13, 2022, to May 7, 2022, the subsidy rates will decrease by half. 

The Canada Recovery Hiring Program will also be extended to May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10 per cent, with an increase in the subsidy rate to 50 per cent. 

For more information, please see the backgrounder.  

While TIAC is very pleased with this program, they still have many questions, including exact definitions of which businesses are able to apply for this support. TIAC is actively working to get answers from Finance and will share with membership as soon as possible. 

Proof of Vaccination 

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that, in partnership with the provinces and territories, a standardized proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be available to all Canadians. Canada is also engaging with international partners to obtain recognition and acceptance abroad, so that this can be used to help facilitate travel around the world.  

This will provide a reliable and secure way for Canadians to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination history. This standardized proof will support Canada’s new traveler vaccination requirements that will come into effect on October 30, 2021. Travellers can continue to use their provincial proof of vaccination for domestic or international travel if their province is not yet issuing the standardized proof of vaccination. 

TIAC has been underscoring that this program maintain consistency in each province and territory and have urged the federal and provincial / territorial governments to work collaboratively over the past months.  

TIAC also believes that it will be critical that Canada plan for vaccines outside of those currently approved in North America. Top tourism markets for Canada have different vaccine compositions that we need to consider in the COVID screening processes, or we risk losing a huge piece of our visitor potential to other destinations. 

TIAC looks forward to the roll out of the piece and its role in ensuring a seamless travel experience moving forward. 

Consumer Confidence 

TIAC has been pushing to see a change in the current narrative on behalf of the industry. TIAC needs positive language and messaging. Travelers, both domestically and internationally, must feel confident in the proof of vaccine and testing requirements and procedures – if they are going to choose Canada as a destination. This is why TIAC was so pleased to see, just last week, that Ottawa has lifted the non-essential travel advisory for fully vaccinated Canadians. This is a big step to restoring Canadians’ confidence. 

Class Action Against Credit Cards

Are you a merchant in Canada who accepted Visa or Mastercard credit cards?

If you are a merchant in Canada who accepted Visa or Mastercard credit cards as payment for goods or services after March 23, 2001, your rights could be affected by a proposed national class action settlement with: Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal and The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Branch MacMaster LLP is counsel for plaintiffs in a number of class actions commenced in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec in respect of interchange fees paid by Canadian merchants in connection with Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

TIAC was identified as an industry association whose membership includes many members of the Class.

Learn more

To learn more or provide comments on any of TIAC's advocacy initiatives, please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca.

Vaccine Update

➜ Vaccine Progression by Province
➜ Canada COVID Tracker
➜ Global COVID Tracker

Travel Restrictions

Destination Canada provides up-to-date domestic travel restrictions and traveller self-isolation requirements for all provinces and territories. Explore Canada!

October 13, 2021:

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation, as well as highlights of TIAC's recent advocacy efforts. TIAC is working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

Advocacy Update

Support Programs

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) programs are scheduled to end on October 23. TIAC has been engaging in conversations with federal officials on the need to ensure that these supports are extended. TIAC knows that the hardest hit industry cannot handle a gap in supports, especially as we head into the winter months.  

While TIAC welcomes the extension during this transition period, they also continue to fight for a tailored, survival program with the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses. The CEWS and CERS programs as they are do not address the ongoing support our suite of sectors needs to get through the winter.  

While discussions are happening at the national level, TIAC needs your support at the grassroots level to get in touch with your MP. The more voices that are aware of the issue and bring this to the table, the bigger chance of success we have.

Please take two minutes and send a letter to your MP to outline the crucial need for tailored support through the winter months. Send Your Letter.

Tourism Relief Fund

TIAC wants to hear from you. Have you, or do you plan on, applying for the TRF? Do you have any concerns? Please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca with any questions or comments.  

Feedback from TIAC's members is critical as TIAC engages with the government advocating to make amendments to the program.  

To learn more or provide comments on any of TIAC's advocacy initiatives, please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca.

Vaccine Update

➜ Vaccine Progression by Province
➜ Canada COVID Tracker
➜ Global COVID Tracker

Travel Restrictions

Destination Canada provides up-to-date domestic travel restrictions and traveller self-isolation requirements for all provinces and territories. Explore Canada!

October 13, 2021:

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation, as well as highlights of TIAC's recent advocacy efforts. TIAC is working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

Advocacy Update

TIAC Poll
TIAC wants to know... How are your bookings for 2022? Go to poll!

Survival Support for the Hardest Hit - Keep the Momentum Strong
Send Your Letter of Support

A critical pillar of TIAC's advocacy work over the past 20 months has been TIAC’s position as co-chair of the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses. This is a coalition of over 120 tourism, hotel and events businesses fighting for industry-specific support. Not just businesses - but also the organizations that represent hundreds of businesses behind them. 

As TIAC members know, most recently, the Coalition developed a campaign advocating for a survival program for the industry. As part of this advocacy push, TIAC was pleased to see the extension of the wage and rent subsidy programs this summer, but knew that this would not be enough to ensure the survival of the businesses – with the expected wind-down of these programs this month – TIAC continues to push for a tailored solution.  

A reminder that as the first commitment on the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced support for the hardest hit sectors, including a transition program that was exactly aligned with the survival plan the Coalition asked for, and a direct response to the Coalition’s advocacy work.  

TIAC has been working hard behind the scenes on the actual policy design of this program to ensure that no tourism business falls between the cracks as TIAC has seen with previous programs. 

TIAC needs to ensure that this stays top of mind for officials. This is where tehy need your help!   

TIAC is working diligently to ensure urgent action on this front. 

Please take a few minutes and send a letter to your MP to outline the crucial need for tailored support through the winter months.

Send your letter!

To learn more or provide comments on any of TIAC's advocacy initiatives, please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca.

Vaccine Update

➜ Vaccine Progression by Province
➜ Canada COVID Tracker
➜ Global COVID Tracker

Travel Restrictions

Destination Canada provides up-to-date domestic travel restrictions and traveller self-isolation requirements for all provinces and territories. Explore Canada!

October 6, 2021:

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation, as well as highlights of TIAC's recent advocacy efforts. TIAC is working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

Advocacy Update

Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland held a press conference that included an announcement on vaccinations relating to federal public servants and travel.

All travellers must be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021, to board planes, trains or marine vessels.

In addition, starting on October 30, all employers in federally regulated air, rail and marine transportation sectors will need to implement mandatory vaccine policies for their organizations.

Employers will need to guarantee employee vaccination status. These work-related measures will also be imposed on partially-vaccinated workers, though they will have up to 10 weeks to receive their second dose before being put on unpaid leave.  

All employees of an airline or in an airport, including those in retail, food and beverage, or security areas must be fully vaccinated. This also applies to employees of federally regulated railways and vessels.

As of October 30, all travellers aged 12 and older taking flights leaving Canadian airports or travelling on federally-regulated railways must be fully vaccinated before boarding. Marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels like cruise ships must also complete the vaccination series before travelling. There will be a short period of time where proof of a negative COVID-19 test will be acceptable to board, though by the end of November that option will no longer be available.

It will be left to operators to establish a process in order to guarantee and verify employees’ vaccination status. The government expects companies to accept provincial vaccine passports as proof.

The announcement highlighted that ‘A standardized, pan-Canadian proof of vaccination document for international travel is still in the works, but the details have not yet been announced.’

As a reminder, to qualify as a "fully vaccinated traveller," a person must have received a full series of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine, with the last dose having been administered at least 14 days prior to the day of travel.

TIAC will monitor and follow up with more information.

Backgrounder can be found here.

Proof of Vaccination 

TIAC continues to engage officials on many files, including a streamlined and simple to use national proof of vaccine system. TIAC is the co-chair of the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, which is a national industry coalition that was formed to coordinate industry responses to the severe effects of the pandemic. This group is co-chaired by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and represents a number of tourism businesses and organizations. TIAC's most recent efforts have been focused on acquiring support for a pan-Canadian proof of vaccination certification program to ensure uniformity across the country, and instill consistency and predictability for all travellers.

TIAC has been stressing that this program maintain consistency in each province and territory and is urging the federal and provincial/territorial governments to work collaboratively.

TIAC also believes that it will be critical that Canada plan for vaccines outside of those currently approved in North America. Top tourism markets for Canada have different vaccine compositions that we need to consider in our Covid screening processes, or we risk losing a huge piece of our visitor potential to other destinations. 

Tourism Relief Fund 

TIAC has heard from many in the industry on challenges applying for and qualifying for the Tourism Relief Fund. This past week, TIAC has continued meeting with Regional Development Agency representatives across the country. They are discussing challenges industry is facing with qualifying projects and criteria.

Insurance Taskforce

TIAC, along with members at the Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Associations, have formed an insurance taskforce to focus on the issue of escalating insurance premiums across the industry. 

The group is currently finalizing research and publication to inform conversations with Insurers and Government on finding a suitable solution for the industry. 

If you have comments on your insurance experiences or any questions on the work the group is doing, TIAC would love to hear from you. 

To learn more or provide comments on any of TIAC's advocacy initiatives, please reach out to Madison Simmons, Director of Government Affairs, at msimmons@tiac-aitc.ca.

Business Resources

QUASEP
QUASEP Programs for Workforce Assistance - Short on staff and time?

As a TIAC member, take advantage of QUASEP’s programs to assist your team members. With options available for multiple functional areas of your operation, getting the support you need is easy and affordable.

Click here for more information.

MEMBER Talk

Tuesday, October 12 @ 2 pm ET
The next MEMBER Talk takes place Tuesday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m. ET. This session will focus on TIAC's post-election priorities and action plan, how you can engage and where additional support is needed. 

To register for the October 12th MEMBER Talk, click here. 

Vaccine Update

➜ Vaccine Progression by Province
➜ Canada COVID Tracker
➜ Global COVID Tracker

Travel Restrictions

Destination Canada provides up-to-date domestic travel restrictions and traveller self-isolation requirements for all provinces and territories. Explore Canada!