The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Canada will launch a new economic pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to help employers hire skilled refugees and other displaced individuals.

The EMPP pairs skilled refugees and other qualified displaced individuals with Canadian employers who need to overcome labour shortages in key occupations; tourism and hospitality workers were specifically noted as being in-demand.

The full news release can be read here.

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, has extended temporary measures introduced during the pandemic and through the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) Workforce Solutions Road Map.

The continued measures, intended to provide greater stability for employers and workers, include:

• permitting employers in seven sectors with demonstrated labour shortages (including accommodation and food services) to hire up to 30 percent of their workforce through the TFWP for low-wage positions;

• keeping the Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) validity period at up to 18 months; and,

• maintaining the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions at up to two years.

The full news release can be read here.

Tourism HR Canada President and CEO Philip Mondor noted, “These are welcome announcements for tourism employers across the country, who are continuing to face challenges in finding the talent they need to fully recover and be able to showcase Canada as a world-class travel destination during the upcoming summer season. These programs also help with building a diverse and inclusive tourism workforce, one which thrives on having internationally trained workers who can offer a range of cultural experiences and speak multiple languages.”

Tourism HR Canada has just launched Hiring International Talent for Summer Jobs, a series of infographics to help employers navigate the suite of immigration programs available. The downloadable resources can be found at TourismHR.ca/InternationalTalent.

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Darlene Grant Fiander, TIANS President, and Executive Director, Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council is featured on the latest episode of the “Insights” podcast with David Campbell.

She speaks about the state of the tourism industry in Nova Scotia including the current labour challenge; some of the positive trends emerging from the pandemic and what needs to happen to ensure tourism remains an important economic driver in Atlantic Canada.

Premier Tim Houston announced a variety of supports at a news conference today, September 26.

“Yesterday, I toured some of the hardest hit areas of the province with the Ministers of EMO, Finance and Treasury Board, Addictions and Mental Health and Public Works. We heard from Nova Scotians directly impacted about measures we need to take,” said Premier Houston. “Disaster relief funding will be helpful for uninsured losses, but we know this may take time and there will be gaps. That is why we are taking action and giving more support to Nova Scotians most affected by the storm.”

The following one-time financial assistance will be offered to eligible Nova Scotians:

• $100 for every household that lost power for at least 48 hours to cover the cost of spoiled food
• $250 for every person that has to pay for tree or debris removal from their property
• an additional $250 on top of the existing $750 seniors care grant to help with storm repairs
• $150 to all current income assistance recipients, including Disability Support Program participants receiving income support
• $1,000 per household in emergency funding for people ordered out of their homes or who cannot return to their homes; people can register with the Canadian Red Cross online at https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/hurricane-fiona-2022 or by calling 1-800-863-6582 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Funding will also be provided to support community organizations that help people:

• a $2-million fund will assist community centres with the purchase and installation of generators
• $500,000 to Feed Nova Scotia and $150,000 in total for non-member food banks in Cape Breton and eastern Nova Scotia
• $100,000 to Salvation Army and Red Cross organizations in Cape Breton
• $100,000 in total to shelters in Cape Breton and eastern Nova Scotia to help with extra demand
• $100,000 to establish a hotel fund, administered by Cape Breton Community Housing, to provide temporary accommodations for people in shelters who cannot go back into their homes
• $150,000 to distribute support to families in need through the SchoolsPlus program; the support will come in the form of grocery store cards and access to food, where possible.

Details about these grants and how to apply will be available soon.

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NOTE: This release was updated September 26 to correct the minimum time without power to claim $100 in assistance for spoiled food.

View Full NS Gov’t Release Here

The federal government is dropping all COVID-19 border restrictions for anyone entering Canada, including: proof of COVID-19 vaccination, quarantine and isolation requirements as well as all pre- or on-arrival COVID-19 testing at the end of September. Canada is also making the ArriveCan application optional, and is lifting the mask mandate and health check requirements for travellers on planes and trains. Declaring the imminent end of these restrictions—effective Oct. 1— marks a major milestone in Canada’s pandemic response.

VIEW FULL Government of Canada Release

Join IRCC Outreach Officers in the Atlantic, Hariana Brooks and Michael Frenette, as they review the International Experience Canada program.

This webinar will include information on which countries participate in this initiative, the role of recognized organizations and how to get connected with foreign national youth.

Date: Thursday, August 25, 2022

Time: 1:30 Atlantic Time (45 minutes)

Register at: https://canada.webex.com/canada/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2a033f64b74c29abae5ed5b8ded5c607

The TNS Portal is a user-friendly online tool you can use to update business/organization information and create package and event listings quickly and easily all in one place. Accommodation operators will also be able to report monthly occupancy data through this secure portal.
What to expect?

On August 24, TNS will close the existing Partner Portal and begin to move all the current listing information over to the database connected to the new portal. This will take approximately three weeks. During this time, TNS will not be able to create new business, package, experience, or event listings. If you require urgent updates to an already published listing, please email tnsportal@novascotia.ca and staff will make the change as soon as possible.

The deadline to create or update current listings is Tuesday, August 23 at 11:59pm.

If you have used the Partner Portal to create package and event listings since January 1, 2019, your information will be carried over to the new system. You will need to create a new login. Instructions will be shared with you when the TNS Portal is live.

When the TNS Portal is live, they will post a notice on tourismns.ca and begin emailing operators instructions on how to create their login. Will we do this in phases over two months beginning with operators who had accounts on the old Partner Portal. Operators who are keen to start using the new portal will be able to go to the site and create a login right away. The link to the TNS Portal page will be located at the top of tourismns.ca.

What if I can’t/don’t want to use the online Portal?

The TNS Portal is easy to use and will allow you to manage your listings independently at your own convenience. As TNS transitions to this new system, they will continue to accept listing updates through email and mail, and occupancy reports through mail and the webform on the corporate website.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Questions about the new online portal can be sent to tnsportal@novascotia.ca.

Although it has only been one year, the government hit the ground running.

In August of 2021, we made a commitment to deliver solutions for the province, and since then, we have delivered over 80 real solutions.

 

Our number one priority is healthcare. That’s why our government started by talking to the experts – our healthcare workers – and designing a plan to improve the system. Our Action for Health plan is already being implemented. The changes needed to improve our healthcare system are very significant and they will take time, but we will start seeing results more quickly in the months and years to come.

Our doctor recruitment efforts led to a record number of doctors coming to Nova Scotia over the past year. We increased wages for continuing care assistants to attract more employees into the system. Our government made it clear we want medical professionals who graduate here to stay here, which is why we’ve offered jobs to every nurse graduating in Nova Scotia while adding 200 nursing seats for students across the province.

We’ve listened to paramedics and created new temporary licences so graduating paramedics can start working in their field sooner, instead of waiting for the licensing exam. We’ve hired 180 transport operators for routine transportation needs, freeing up paramedics for emergencies. And there is so much more to come.

We know the rising cost of living is putting pressure on Nova Scotians, as inflation impacts those across Canada and around the world. We continue to look for opportunities to responsibly and sustainably help Nova Scotians, like the Seniors Care Grant, which provides support for seniors across the province. The grant was recently expanded to include more services and additional funding to help seniors heat their homes this winter.

And we’re expanding child care across the province, including in many areas that have never had access to it before. Child-care fees have already been reduced by 25 per cent and by the end of March 2026, an average of $10-a-day daycare will be accessible and available to families that need it.

We’re investing in a growing economy. This year, Nova Scotia passed a major milestone by reaching one million people. More and more, the world is realizing Nova Scotia’s potential, and the result is record immigration and population growth. We worked with the federal government to expand our immigration targets and include occupations that will help our businesses address labour shortages.

To prepare for this growth, we are moving as fast as possible to build affordable and attainable housing across the province. We need skilled trades workers to do this, so we are also investing in our young people who are under the age of 30 working in a trade. The More Opportunity for Skilled Trades (MOST) program will return their provincial income tax paid on the first $50,000 of income earned.

We’re supporting our film industry with a soundstage that will help the industry grow sustainably and generate economic activity year-round.

We also launched the prototyping phase for Nova Scotia Loyal, which will be a buy local program like no other and aims to increase demand for local products. Our products are the best in the world, and Nova Scotia Loyal will help showcase them to Nova Scotia and the world.

As I reflect on the past year, I am forever humbled that Nova Scotians put their trust in me and our government. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating – this is one of the best places to raise a family, work, thrive and enjoy.

We are more energized than ever before to keep going. There’s a lot more to do, and we look forward to delivering for you.

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View Official Release from the Premier’s Office

“As we recover from this pandemic, we are focused on being there for the tourism sector. With the support announced today, tourism businesses and organisations in the Atlantic Canada region will be able to prepare for the future. This is an important step in the recovery effort that will allow visitors to discover the world-class tourism experiences we have to offer.”

– The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fully committed to supporting businesses and organizations through these challenging times, keeping safety as the top priority while ensuring they get support to quickly recover, innovate their products and services, and thrive. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses adapt, make improvements, and be ready to welcome back guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector survive the pandemic, recover and grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”

– The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

“Canada is already one of the most welcoming countries in the world for LGBT+ travellers and Atlantic Canada is well positioned to establish itself as a world-class destination for this important market. We are investing in inclusion and market readiness programs that will help businesses remove barriers and provide unforgettable travel experiences for all visitors to our region. When our tourism industry grows, our economy thrives.”

– Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

“The global LGBT+ travel market is estimated at $22 billion USD. As businesses become increasingly aware of the potential of this growing market, they have realized the unique needs of this diverse community. In response, our team in partnership with Tourism HR Canada, worked to create the Rainbow Registered accreditation program, Canada’s first national standard for safe and inclusive spaces for the LGBT+ community. This program, in addition to a number of our development and training resources for the LGBT+ community, are now able to be rapidly rolled out to businesses and organizations across Atlantic Canada. This fantastic show of support from the Federal Government will create a lasting legacy of inclusivity for LGBT+ visitors, customers and employees throughout the region.”

– Darrell Schuurman, CEO of Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

• Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is a national non-profit organization that brings together LGBT+-owned and operated businesses and advocates on their behalf to build a more diverse and inclusive business community. This member-based organization offers programs such as diversity and inclusion training, the Rainbow Registered Program, advocacy initiatives, the OUT For Business Initiative for youth entrepreneurs, and LGBT+ tourism market readiness.
• Canada is home to over 100,000 LGBT+-owned businesses. These businesses generate over $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians.
• The tourism sector is a key contributor to the Canadian economy. In 2019, tourism generated over $104 billion in revenue and directly employed 692,000 people, including those in underrepresented groups like women, students, racialized people, and Indigenous populations.
• With a national budget of $500 million, including $485 million for regional priorities administered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and $15 million for national priorities administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Tourism Relief Fund is part of the billion dollars in tourism support announced in Budget 2021.
• A minimum of $50 million of the fund’s budget has been earmarked for Indigenous tourism projects. Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
• $48.5 million from the Tourism Relief Fund has been allocated to ACOA to administer the fund in the Atlantic region.

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
catherine.mounier-desrochers@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Mike Critchley
Senior Communications Advisor
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Michael.Critchley@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Darrell Schuurman
Co-Founder and CEO
CGLCC – Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce
Darrell@cglcc.ca

Release from Transport Canada – June 14, 2022
View Official Transport Canada Release online

While the suspension of vaccine mandates reflects an improved public health situation in Canada, the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve and circulate in Canada and globally. Given this context, and because vaccination rates and virus control in other countries varies significantly, current vaccination requirements at the border will remain in effect. This will reduce the potential impact of international travel on our health care system and serve as added protection against any future variant. Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, continue to apply and will be enforced throughout a traveller’s journey on a plane or train.

Requirement for vaccinations suspended for domestic and outbound travel

• As of June 20, 2022, at 00:01 EDT, vaccination will no longer be a requirement to board a plane or train in Canada.
• This change does not affect border measures that require all travellers entering Canada to continue following entry requirements, including vaccination.
• Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, continue to apply and will be enforced throughout a traveller’s journey on a plane or train.
• Given the unique nature of cruise ships, including the fact that passengers are in close contact with each other for extended periods of time, vaccination against COVID-19 is still required for passengers and crew on cruise ships.
• Adherence to strict public health requirements on cruise ships will still be required.

Federally regulated transportation sector workers

• As of June 20, 2022, at 00:01 EDT, employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine sectors will no longer be required to have mandatory vaccination policies in place for employees.
• Employers will be responsible for establishing return-to-work practices.
• Furthermore, the Government of Canada is no longer moving forward with the proposed regulations to make vaccination mandatory in all federally regulated workplaces.

Masking Requirements

• Travellers on federally regulated planes and trains continue to be required to wear a mask throughout their journey except for brief periods (e.g., eating or drinking).
• Passengers on cruise ships will be expected to follow the masking requirements and other hygiene measures as directed by the ship’s crew, regardless of whether they are foreign or domestic.

Face masks are the most basic, visible, and low-cost measure for reducing transmission of COVID-19. Studies show that masks reduce spread of the disease, especially in enclosed areas or in areas with reduced ventilation. Public health experts continue to recommend the use of masks in crowded spaces and indoor settings.

Science-based decision making

Following a successful vaccination campaign, 32 million eligible Canadians have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The Government of Canada’s decision to suspend the mandatory vaccination requirement for the domestic transportation sector was informed by key indicators, including

• the evolution of the virus;
• the epidemiologic situation and modelling (stabilization of infection and hospitalizations across the country);
• vaccine science; and
• high levels of vaccination in Canada against COVID-19.

The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate measures and will not hesitate to make adjustments based on the latest public health advice and science to keep Canadians and the transportation system safe and secure.

Entry requirements remain for travel to Canada from abroad

Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents returning from international destinations who do not qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption continue to be required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, remain subject to Day 1 and Day 8 molecular testing, and quarantine for 14 days.

In addition, all travellers entering Canada are required to input their mandatory information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada. Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may be subject to Day 1, Day 8 molecular testing, quarantine for 14 days, and to fines or other enforcement actions, regardless of their vaccination status.

Remote communities

With the suspension of the vaccination mandate for domestic and outbound travel, the testing accommodation for remote communities is no longer required. The Government of Canada will continue to work with communities, Indigenous groups, provinces and territories, and operators to support remote communities as the pandemic evolves.

Foreign nationals

Vaccine requirements for entry into Canada by foreign nationals remain unchanged at this time.  Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated continue to be prohibited entry into Canada. With the suspension of the domestic mandate, unvaccinated foreign nationals will continue to be able to depart Canada by plane or train.

The routing decisions of airlines have a direct impact on visitation and the announcement today by the Province, will enable Nova Scotia airports to compete with destinations around the world vying to increase access.

As we begin the rebuild for both tourism and trade, the role of HIAA will be key in our success.  Their ability to attract direct flights linking Nova Scotia to larger urban centers in North America Europe and beyond is crucial as we compete with global destinations vying for the same customer.

“HIAA boasts a world class International Airport that serves as a hub for Atlantic Canada.  This is a strategic investment and we applaud Premier Houston for listening to the Nova Scotia tourism industry,” says Wes Surrett, TIANS Chair. “TIANS has been advocating for increased support and flexibility for air access. This will have positive economic returns for the sector and the government with increase tax revenue through growth.”

“The Nova Scotia tourism industry lost over $3 Billion in revenue in 2020 and 2021,” says Darlene Grant Fiander, TIANS President.  “The announcement today will go a long way to helping us get back to pre-pandemic levels of annual revenue of $2.6 Billion plus potential for significant growth in the coming years.”

Working with partner associations and stakeholders, TIANS is committed to representing the best interests of the Industry; enhancing and supporting the development of a competitive business environment; advocating on issues critical to the Industry’s success; and most importantly, leading Nova Scotia’s most promising economic sector.

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For more information, please contact:

Lisa Dahr
Director, Industry Relations and Professional Development
Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
lisa@tourism.ca   902.423.4480  www.tians.org

Download PDF Version Here
Air Announcement Release May 6, 2022