The Honorable Minister for Economic Development and Official Languages, Mélanie Joly, made the following statement on the occasion of the Tourism Week in Canada:

“Today is the beginning of Tourism week in Canada. While over the past few years it has been an opportunity to celebrate the sector’s many successes, a particularly difficult period has now come to an end. While we cannot downplay the impact of the pandemic on the sector, there are still important opportunities for businesses. If it is safe to travel, Canada’s tourism sector will flourish again, showing the country’s natural beauty and the diversity of its people.

“We also welcome this opportunity to recognize the remarkable efforts of companies in the tourism sector that have demonstrated resilience and determination to face economic uncertainties while taking significant steps to respond to a global health crisis.

“Our government has been at every step to offer various sources of support to keep the tourism businesses alive and to explore strategies for the recovery of the sector.

“We have helped small businesses pay their workers, rents and mortgages, and cover their expenses through ongoing emergency programs such as the Emergency Wage Canada Subsidy, Emergency Rent Subsidy Subsidy and Lockdown Assistance, and Emergency Canada Business Account. Tourism, arts, and culture businesses and nonprofits have received an estimated $ 15.4 billion in pandemic assistance to date, and we are committed to continuing to support these hardest hit sectors.

“In the 2021 budget, our government proposes to drive their recovery through a total of $ 1 billion in aid over three years, including the establishment of a $ 500 million tourism aid fund to help tourism businesses do so to recover from the pandemic and position yourself for future growth.

“There is reason for hope, and we will continue to nurture that hope. Canada’s vaccination efforts are in full swing. The Prime Minister has confirmed that there will be enough COVID-19 vaccines to offer their first dose to any eligible and willing Canadian by the summer, and enough doses to ensure that everyone can be fully vaccinated by September. The ongoing restrictions and efforts by Canadians to adhere to public health guidelines are helping us get closer to being able to travel.

“Please rest assured that we are continually assessing the situation and making decisions based on evolving scientific data and advice from public health officials. When the time is right, we look forward to everyone getting back together, exploring this great country and welcoming visitors from near and far.

“The end of the pandemic is near and we must all work together to get there. Our government listens to Canadian tourism companies so we can continue to help them adapt, rebuild and grow.

“To Canada’s Tourism Company, Thank you for all of the effort you have made to keep Canadians safe. International visitors are eager to set foot on Canadian soil again and we aim to welcome them and hold festivals, events, conventions and meetings when needed. I encourage all Canadians to choose a Canadian destination for their travel plans when the restrictions are lifted. They are key to supporting the recovery of the tourism sector, and there are so many beautiful places to discover here at home. “

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