TIABC Offers Budget Recommendations

The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) had a chance to provide some budget recommendations to the federal government recently

TIABC CEO Walt Judas met with Vancouver-Centre MP, Dr. Hedy Fry as part of a roundtable discussion with various business sectors to provide input into the next federal budget.

Among TIABC’s key recommendations:

• Extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to December 31st and adjust the criteria to allow seasonal operators access.
• Top up rent-relief for businesses that have not been ordered to close but cannot generate sufficient revenues due to travel restrictions.
• Introduce a variation to HASCAP that allows larger and iconic businesses access to loans in excess of $1 million with similar payment terms and conditions.
• Provide relief for major air carriers who are vital to the survival of the visitor economy and a critical part of connecting communities throughout British Columbia.
• Until such time as herd immunity, invest and implement rapid testing nation-wide that will help open travel to domestic and international visitors when the time is right.

TIABC noted that Dr. Fry is a strong supporter of the tourism sector and committed to informing her government colleagues on all the recommendations put forward by participants earlier today.