Canadian tourism and travel industry officials say new federal programs being introduced by the Trudeau government will be a big help.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday said the government’s main business support programs will end on Wednesday, Oct. 23, as Canada has already recovered 100% of the jobs lost during the pandemic. But she said the government recognizes that tourism and other businesses have been hit hard, and that Ottawa will bring in two new programs beginning on Thursday, Oct. 24. Those programs will provide wage and rent support for hotels, restaurants and travel agencies.
“The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses is praising the new targeted support measures for businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges, including the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest Hit Business Recovery Program, that were announced by the Trudeau government,” said Beth Potter, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. “We also applaud the announcement on the new international vaccine passport. These new initiatives will help support our hard-hit sector through the winter period, prioritizing job creation and a strong recovery of the travel economy.
“The federal government had Canadians’ backs throughout the pandemic,” Potter said. “The government (has) delivered on its election promise to provide the tourism, hotel, and events businesses the help they need to survive, and to continue to maintain the highest levels of employment possible.”
“The tourism industry is the hardest hit industry. Even as the economy reopens, business and international travel will take time to recover,” said Susie Grynol, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). “The new programs announced today will help our members stay alive through a difficult winter until our expected recovery in the spring.”
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies said it’s pleased with Freeland’s announcements, but that it’s worried that independent agents and advisors won’t be covered by the federal programs, which they need to survive.
