TIAC Talk
August 21, 2013
The Show Must Go On!
The summer of 2013 is proving to have no shortage of challenges for the Canadian travel and tourism industry. Facing a series of disastrous events including major flooding, devastating explosions and a protracted strike by visa officers, Canadians have responded with tremendous resiliency, courage and camaraderie. In the spirit of determination, we want to offer our collective "hats off" to the Calgary Stampede, Banff and Lake Louise for taking literal the old adage that the show must go on.

Please see below for our mid-summer update on developments and activities pertinent to our sector. We hope to see you in Ottawa this December for the TIAC Tourism Congress.

 

Update on Temporary Foreign Worker Program

 

On August 7th, the federal government announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) which includes a processing fee of $275 per position and a new advertising requirement to ensure adequate notice is provided to potential Canadian applicants.

 

The new fee is intended to recover the costs associated with processing Labour Market Opinions and to ensure that Canadian taxpayers no longer cover the costs of processing temporary foreign worker applications. As well, employers will be required to demonstrate that the use of temporary foreign workers is not used to outsource Canadian jobs.

{Read more}

 

Foreign Service Strike
 
In early June, 1,350 members of the Professional Association of Foreign
Service Officers (PAFSO) responsible for processing visa applications at Canada's mission abroad, started a rotating strike action which has dramatically slowed visa processing and created widespread uncertainty and anxiety throughout our sector.
 
Given PAFSO's intention to strike during the height of summer tourism season, TIAC took immediate action to notify Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement of the dire economic impact the strike action would have and to appeal to both sides to remain at the table and on the job to negotiate an outcome.

Air Access Agreement with China
 
In July Canada completed an expanded air transport agreement with China intended to provide the flexibility for airlines and Canadian airports to expand travel options and increase business between Canada and China. China is emerging as a significant trade partner, now our second largest export destination behind the United States.

Tourism Congress Partnership Opportunities
 

The Tourism Congress, taking place December 2-4, 2013 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, is the travel industry's national convention and is a must-attend event for key players in the sector. 

 

In conjunction with this premier event, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada is pleased to offer many excellent partnership and sponsorship opportunities, which are ideally suited for the nation's leading travel organizations and industry suppliers.

 

An investment in the Tourism Congress Partnership Program provides an outstanding venue to differentiate your brand and position your organization as a national leader in front of more than 300 senior-level stakeholders and influencers, all conveniently assembled under one roof. 

 
For a complete list of opportunities click here or call or email Jennifer Taylor today to book your option at 902-698-0984 or jtaylor@tiac.travel. 

 

Membership News
 
Thank you to our members for their continued support and investment!  The many successes accomplished by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada have been a direct result of your unwavering commitment.
    

As we move ahead, we look forward to a continued positive relationship with you and working together to achieve our vision to create change to
drive incremental international visitation and the ultimate goal to drive international visitor growth in-line with the global growth rate (4%) by 2017.

 

At this time, many of you have received an email no

tice of your membership renewal.  You will recall we introduced a new membership portal last year providing greater control of your online content as well as a user friendly way to renew your membership.  To renew, simply click here to login using your member account information and click renew.  If you have any problems, please let me know, I am here to help.

 

Jennifer Taylor

Director, Partnerships and Members Services

jtaylor@tiac.travel  |  902-698-0984
In This Issue
Update on Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Foreign Service Strike
Air Access Agreement with China
Tourism Congress Partnership Opportunities
Membership News
Photo of the Week
Photo of the Week
 

This week's photo is luxury kayaking on the Rideau Canal.
Special thanks to Anne Marie from the Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association.      

 

Submit your image today to lczerwinski@tiac.travel.

 

Supplier Partners

 

Deloitte 

 

Elavon