The Government of Canada released its 2019 Federal Budget on March 19. As your provincial tourism industry association, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador has gathered some comprehensive summaries and analyses of how Budget 2019 will impact the national tourism industry.
Stay tuned to Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador in the coming weeks for more tourism highlights as the Provincial Government gets set to table its 2019 provincial budget.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Budget 2019 features a welcoming commitment to address tax non-compliance associated with the digital economy. In a one-on-one discussion with the Hotel Association of Canada, Finance officials confirmed that this measure will include a focus on those who rent through short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.
- To maintain safe and reliable ferry services, Budget 2019 proposes to support Marine Atlantic Inc. to modernize its fleet through the procurement of a new ferry.
- Budget 2019 proposes $5 million to Destination Canada for a domestic tourism marketing campaign.
- Budget 2019 proposes $58.5 million over two years for a Canadian Experiences Fund to support Canadian businesses & organizations seeking to create, improve or expand tourism-related infrastructure in five categories: tourism in rural and remote communities, Indigenous tourism, winter tourism, inclusiveness, specifically for the LGBTQ2 community, and farm-to-table tourism, which is also known as culinary tourism.
- Budget 2019 proposes a seventh Economic Strategy Table dedicated to tourism, bringing together government and industry to identify economic opportunities and help government provide effective programs for Canada’s innovators.
- Funding in Budget 2019 proposed for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), Transport Canada and RCMP to ensure effective airport screening. Government supports transitioning CATSA to an independent, non-profit.
- Budget 2019 proposes $78.6 million over two years for resources to process global demand for Canadian visitor visas, work & study permits.
- Funding from Budget 2019 proposed for capital projects in Parks Canada national parks, national marine conservation areas & historic sites.
- $42.9 million in funding over two years for Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) call centres to better respond to visitor inquiries.
The budget includes several measures that support the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC’s) strategic pillars and advocacy priorities. TIAC has prepared a summary document to assist you in understanding the measures put forward by government in Budget 2019 and how they relate to the tourism economy. CLICK TO READ
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) was invited to the stakeholders’ Budget Lock-Up prior to its official release. During this closed session, HAC had the opportunity to review advance copies of the Budget documents and meet with senior Finance officials to discuss the details. CLICK HERE TO READ HAC’S FULL ANALYSIS
Restaurants Canada is calling for stronger commitments to help foodservice and hospitality businesses across the country survive and thrive after what they call a discouraging federal budget. While Restaurants Canada commends the Liberal government for responding to ongoing labour shortages with a new, non-taxable Canada Training Benefit, the budget did little else to address concerns raised on behalf of the Canadian foodservice sector. READ MORE
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada stated that the 2019 Federal Budget shows significant support for tourism sector, including Indigenous Tourism. READ MORE