The Liberal government delivered its long-awaited budget last month, unveiling $101.4 billion in new spending. Supports were specifically promised to aid the recovery of Canada’s hard-hit tourism industry, which includes meetings and business events. It outlines $1 billion over three years for tourism, starting in 2021/2022; a $500-million Tourism Relief Fund to support investments by local tourism businesses in adapting to the pandemic; a $595-million Recovery Hiring Program to make it easier for businesses to hire back laid-off workers or…
News & Articles - Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
Nearly Two-Thirds of Businesses Most Impacted by COVID will not Survive
Sixty per cent of Canada’s hardest hit businesses will not survive to the end of the year if the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) supports are not renewed beyond their June 5 deadline. This is according to a March survey released by the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, an industry-driven group of more than 100 stakeholders representing a variety of sectors, including tourism, travel, arts and culture, events and festivals, accommodation and hospitality. “Our…
Feds Launch Program that Provides Financial Aid to Hard-Hit Businesses
Eligible businesses can now start applying to the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). Announced Jan. 26, the program provides financial support to businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. This includes restaurants, businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and those that rely on in-person service. Through HASCAP, the Business Development Bank of Canada will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government guaranteed, low interest loans of up…
What it’s Like to Open a Hotel during the Pandemic
Despite the COVID-19 crisis and the impact it’s had on Canada’s hospitality and travel industries, several brave brands have forged ahead with ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new hotels. This includes Vancouver-based Northland Properties Corp., which opened not one but two hotels last month, though the celebratory occasions were more low-key. On Sept. 8, the company introduced its first Signature-branded hotel, Sandman Signature Saskatoon South Hotel, in Saskatchewan. On the same day, Atlantic Canada welcomed the Sutton Place Hotel Halifax. “We are…
