The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) commends the federal government for several initiatives identified in Budget 2008 which will have a direct impact on Canada’s $66.9 billion tourism sector.

“The investments in the physical and technological infrastructure at our borders announced in the federal budget are important steps towards ensuring the prosperity of the tourism sector in Canada,” said TIAC President and CEO Randy Williams. “These initiatives will help alleviate the impact of lengthy wait times at border crossings, and will help to address the competitiveness challenges, which Canada’s tourism leaders recently identified as critical."

Among the initiatives announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in Budget 2008, of note to the Canada’s tourism sector were the following:

• $75 million over two years for the Canada Border Services Agency to ensure that it has the necessary resources to effectively manage the flow of people and goods.

• A higher-security electronic passport with a ten-year validity period.

• $14 million over two years for the Canada-US Nexus program for high-frequency, low-risk travelers across the border.

• $6 million over two years for federal activities to support provinces and territories in introducing enhanced driver’s licenses.

• $24 million over two years to assist with the further development of tourism-related infrastructure at strategic ports of call along the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers to enhance their appeal as destinations for the global cruise ship market.

• $22-million over two years, growing to $37 million per year, to modernize the immigration system, including legislation to speed up the processing of permanent resident applications, ensuring shorter wait times and making Canada’s immigration system more competitive.

• $9 million over two years to address operating and infrastructure pressures in Canada’s National Museums.

• $8 million for the establishment of commercial harbour facilities in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, which should help to promote the development of the nascent tourism industry in Canada’s north.

TIAC salutes the Minister of Finance, as well as the Secretary of State for Tourism and Small Business Diane Ablonczy, and Industry Minister Jim Prentice for the commitment they have demonstrated towards ensuring that the variety of challenges facing the tourism sector are addressed. The Association is hopeful that in the coming year, the federal government will continue to show its support to the more than 200,000 businesses and 1.6 million Canadians employed in the tourism sector by investing more funds in the Canadian Tourism Commission to help market Canada abroad, and by reducing significantly onerous airport rents, especially at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, which act as a disincentive to foreign and domestic travelers in the leisure, business and conventions/meetings markets.

TIAC is also hopeful that the government will move shortly to authorize arrivals duty free at Canadian airports.

“By boosting our marketing budgets and eliminating any cost impediments to visiting our shores, the government can help Canada’s tourism sector reach its full potential, and help fuel this essential sector in the years to come,” said Williams.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is the voice of Canadian tourism. Founded in 1930 to encourage the development of tourism in Canada, TIAC serves today as the national private-sector advocate for this $66.9 billion industry, representing the interests of the tourism business community nation-wide. It successfully influences government thinking and action on behalf of Canadian tourism businesses, promoting positive measures that help the industry grow and prosper.