ACTA Calls On Government To Extend CERB

Pointing to the continuing government travel advisories recommending that Canadians avoid all non-essential travel outside of the country and to avoid all cruise travel, ACTA is calling on the government to extend the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for the travel industry.

The association is also asking its member to write to their MP urging extension of the CERB for the travel industry, travel agencies and travel agents.

ACTA president, Wendy Paradis said that: “While we appreciate the need for continued action to limit the COVID-19 spread, travel advisories coupled with the now extended ban of cruise ships in Canadian waters are another blow to the Canadian travel industry.”

Paradis continued: “The Canadian travel industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic and as economies across the country begin to re-open, the travel advisories, physical distancing and mandatory self-isolation/quarantine measures after travel, will prevent retail travel businesses that same opportunity.”

She pointed out that: “The government’s extended ‘Avoid all non-essential travel’ advisory will put a financial strain on retail travel businesses and without an extension of CERB, many will face significant economic hardships long after other businesses have re-opened.”

ACTA’s president pointed out that: “To protect the thousands of Canadian retail travel businesses, employees, and independent contractors, we call on the government of Canada to provide the Canadian retail travel businesses with a sector specific CERB extension until the end of December 2020. Due to the catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, many travel businesses do not expect business to return to 2019 levels until 2021 or 2022.”

Go to www.acta.ca for more.