Economic backbone of many communities tourism shattered, says Canadian leader

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

A new year should have brought new opportunities, but instead, 2022 is starting off with more of the same struggles. For decades, tourism has been the backbone of the economy for many Canadian communities.

Back in November, the U.S. decision to allow travellers to enter Canada was a badly needed lifeline to a dying industry. But this week, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control put our country in its highest-risk category for travel and urged Americans not to visit Canada.

But Canada’s Conservatives are listening.

Canada’s tourism sector is struggling.

In every part of the country, tourism operators have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic. Small businesses that have survived into 2022 are struggling to remain open.

The Conservatives are calling on Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault to explain why new relief programmes for the sector have been delayed.

The federal Liberals have failed to provide guidance on how our tourism sector can operate safely. Yet, we have been here before.

The government has routinely made bold predictions to justify its mismanagement of Canada’s recovery from COVID-19. Trudeau has repeatedly failed to understand what Canadians are facing.

The Trudeau Liberals have failed to take practical, common-sense measures to ensure the safe return of international tourism. At a time when the industry needs real action and a plan for recovery, simply hoping for increased domestic tourism is not enough. The past two years have showed us that.

This is a direct result of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s failure to manage the pandemic.

This is a disaster for the tens of thousands of Canadians that depend on this sector, and who are now worried they won’t be able to support their families.

Trudeau often says that his government “has Canadians’ backs,” but Canadians working in the tourism sector are left wondering, how?

We are here to be a voice for the millions of Canadians left behind in Trudeau’s economy. We will stand up for Canada’s tourism and hospitality sectors and their employees from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and Labrador.

We cannot afford for Canadian tourism to be left behind. It’s time to let the world create new Canadian memories and to let Canadians get back to showcasing our beautiful country.

We have wonderful memories of visiting incredible Canadian landmarks, of family road trips and adventures. If we want to continue showcasing our beautiful country to the world, significant steps must be taken.

« Back to Page