NO LET-UP FOR ACTA: Vows to hold feds accountable for aid

ACTA president and CEO Wendy Paradis

ACTA is vowing to ensure continued financial aid for travel agents from the newly elected federal government, specifically holding the returning Liberals to their platform promise to introduce a new wage and rent subsidy program for hardest-hit tourism businesses.

ACTA says it was able to confirm prior to the election that travel agencies will be eligible for the programs, which would enable businesses that have experienced a minimum 40% revenue loss to receive benefits up to 75% to cover fixed costs between September 2020 and May 31, 2022.

The organization says it will urge the government to “act quickly on this promise and ensure broad program rules to ensure no eligible business is left behind.”

“Of critical importance is the survival of the hardest-hit businesses,” says ACTA president Wendy Paradis. “Tourism businesses, including travel agencies, travel agents and independent travel agents, continue to experience severe impacts on revenue resulting from government travel restrictions and advisories.

“With nearly two years of little to no revenue, many travel agencies and independent travel agents are facing immediate challenges to their continued operations. There is an urgent need for continued wage, rent, and CRB-type financial support for hardest-hit tourism businesses so they can survive to see recovery,” she added.

Independent agents

The ACTA boss adds that eligibility of thousands of independent travel agents across Canada who have relied on the CRB for survival during the past 18 months must be ensured.

“If independent travel agents are not included in the platform promise, government must introduce a new program that is like the CRB targeted to hardest-hit persons in the tourism sector,” says Paradis. “ACTA will get to work immediately to advocate for this urgent need.”

However, while noting that it is typical that a new government takes a few weeks after an election to get to work, she says, “We hope there won’t be delays. This is a unique situation – there’s a global pandemic and wave 4 is hitting Canada. Extended financial support of travel agencies, travel agents, and independent travel agents is urgent with current program expiry dates looming. We urge the new government to act quickly.”

TIAC

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) echoed ACTA’s sentiments, with president and CEO Beth Potter urging the government to recognize that “the recovery of Canada’s tourism industry is key to Canada’s overall recovery (and that) this once $105-billion industry be recognized as the important economic driver it is.”

Potter says TIAC will work “on an urgent basis” with parliament “to ensure the survival of the tourism industry,” including on such issues are targeted support for the industry, delivery of a seamless proof of vaccination certification program; and implementation of progressive strategies to address critical issues such as the labour shortage and traveller confidence.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce also weighed in, saying the problems that faced small businesses prior to the campaign are now more urgent due to the fourth wave of COVID-19. It further called for targeted support for hard-hit industries like tourism, including extending wage subsidy and rent relief programs for businesses still affected by pandemic-related restrictions.