19.63°C Vancouver

Sep 17, 2020 8:04 PM -

Wage subsidy extension into 2021 critical for tourism sector to survive: industry

Share On
wage-subsidy-extension-into-2021-critical-for-tourism-sector-to-survive-industry
A moose in an RCMP uniform wearing a mask and a cartoon cardboard cut-out of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greet customers at a store selling souvenirs in the ByWard Market in Ottawa, on Sunday, July 12, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the federal government must keep a wage subsidy program in place well into next year for businesses that still aren't able to recover. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the federal government must keep its wage-subsidy program in place well into next year for businesses with dire prospects for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the phasing out of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program could result in the loss of millions of jobs.

The Coalition of Hardest Hit businesses says without the federal program covering as much as 75 per cent of wages, many tourism-related businesses simply won't survive.

The president of the Hotel Association of Canada points out that the tourism sector can't pivot to online shopping or curbside pickup to try to make ends meet.

Latest news

two-bodies-found-in-burned-vehicles-in-separate-toronto-areas
BCSep 22, 2026

Two Bodies Found in Burned Vehicles in Separate Toronto Areas

Two bodies were found inside burned-out vehicles in separate parts of Toronto, police say. The incidents occurred late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in Scarborough and Etobicoke. The first incident was reported around 11:24 p.m. on Reesor Road in Scarborough, where a vehicle was found on fire. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, a body was discovered inside. About 90 minutes later, around 1 a.m., police responded to another vehicle fire at James Gardens Park in Etobicoke. A second body was found inside that vehicle. The circumstances surrounding both deaths remain unclear. Toro
alberta-premier-rejects-ucp-presidents-claim-government-is-muting-pro-canada-referendum-ads
AlbertaSep 22, 2026

Alberta premier rejects UCP president’s claim government is muting pro-Canada referendum ads

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rejecting a claim by United Conservative Party president Rob Smith that her government is keeping its messaging neutral on the question of whether Alberta should remain in Canada. The premier said Monday that she has been clear about her position and that the provincial government’s $4-million advertising campaign promotes Alberta remaining a sovereign province within a united Canada. Smith has repeatedly said she plans to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada. The issue centres on Question 10 in Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum. Voters will be asked whether Al
b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s

Related News