THE FEDERAL BUDGET What does it do for travel and tourism
Posted on 03/24/2016 | About Canada
Following months of campaign rhetoric about doing things differently, sunny ways and being all things to all people, the time arrived for the new government of Canada to table it’s first budget. Last fall’s Liberal’s election campaign is a guide to the direction of the new government, including targeting the middle class and addressing Indigenous funding. Here’s a brief look at those areas of the budget that pertain to travel and tourism.
Support for Travel and TourismThe Hotel Association of Canada is encouraged by the Government’s recognition of tourism - a commitment of $50 million dollars over two years starting in 2016-2017.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau said, “Canada’s tourism sector is an integral part of the economy, supporting over 627,000 jobs in rural areas, small towns and big cities in every region. “Increasing awareness of Canada and promoting its spectacular destinations, attractions, events and festivals to an international audience supports growth in this sector.
Canada’s national tourism marketing organization, Destination Canada, has a strong track record of working with industry partners to maximize the impact of marketing campaigns. “Budget 2016 builds on this successful model by proposing to provide $50 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to Destination Canada to seize opportunities with partners by augmenting marketing initiatives in important international markets, such as the United States and China”.Canada’s 150th Anniversary
The Government will be supporting activities and events to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, with $150 million to be spent over two years.National Parks, Airports, Harbours & Border Infrastructure
The budget proposes to spend another $3.4 billion over five years earmarked for national parks, harbours, airport, and border infrastructure.National Historic Sites
The budget proposes to provide $20 million over two years to Parks Canada including historic lighthouses and railway stations.Via Rail
The budget proposes to spend an additional $45 million for service, safety and capital improvements.Ferry Services in Atlantic Canada
The budget proposes $73 million in new funding to support ferry services in Atlantic Canada.
Environment
The budget proposes to spend $191.8 million over five years on environmental initiatives which will have direct positive impact on hotels and the HAC Green Key Global Programme
me, the world’s largest hotel environmental certification programme
me. The government is proposing to spend $63 million over two years to build charging stations for electric vehicles and hydrogen and natural gas refueling stations. In addition it has budgeted $128.8 million over five years to deliver energy efficiency programmes to retrofit buildings and to improve standards for vehicles and products.The new federal budget is available online at www.fin.gc.ca.