Time is Ticking for Canadian Businesses: Re-Opening Plan Needed Now, Group Says

July 8, 2021 ctn_admin

Together with the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, leaders from Ottawa are calling on the federal government to announce a re-opening plan for Canadians before calling an election. With the second consecutive summer travel season now officially in jeopardy, time is ticking for Ottawa businesses.

In a normal year, Ottawa’s tourism sector generates $2.2 billion in revenue; last year $1.4 billion was lost to COVID-19. The summer travel season is disproportionately important to local Ottawa businesses.

With vaccination rates where they are today, businesses have suffered unnecessarily; in large part resulting from the federal government’s failure to produce a comprehensive and science-based re-opening plan.

Canadians have been rushing in droves to get vaccinated – breaking records nearly every day. In Ottawa alone, nearly 50 per cent of Ottawa adults are now fully vaccinated and almost 70 per cent have received one dose of the vaccine, making Ottawa one of the most vaccinated cities in the world. The federal government should be rewarding this effort with clear guidance on what re-opening looks like. Fully vaccinated foreign travellers are still unable to visit Canada and this is devastating local business.

As Canada gears up for a likely fall election, the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable requests that the federal government hold off on sending Canadians to the polls until a comprehensive re-opening plan is established and implemented. We can’t play politics with the livelihoods of Canadians and Canadian businesses.  

“Canada is known for having some of the most amazing tourist attractions in the world. Every year millions of foreign nationals visit communities across the country to experience first-hand what Canada has to offer. This year, for the second year in a row, local businesses that rely on national and international visitors are still struggling,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “We all know that an election means a pause on all government activity. Canadians and Canadian businesses deserve to know what re-opening looks like long before a federal election is called.” 

At this stage in the pandemic, we expect our federal government to have a clear plan in place. Countless businesses in Ottawa have either already permanently closed or are on the brink of bankruptcy,” said Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade. “Our business community needs a predictable, clear and science-based plan in place to build back our economy.”

“Eighty percent of Canadian tourism revenue comes in over twenty per cent of the time. July through Labour Day is disproportionately important to sustain our sector. The large number of visitors in Canada’s summer months is able to sustain hospitality and tourism operators through the slower winter travel season. Cutting that period short, even a little bit, will significantly impact their likelihood of survival,” said Susie Grynol, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada.

“With vaccination rates rising every day, we believe the government should have a clear re-opening plan in place to ensure we don’t lose yet another summer of tourism,” said Joe Kowalski, Founder of Wilderness Tours, Ottawa River.

“Usually at this time of year The Westin Ottawa is buzzing with people from all over the world. This year, it’s eerily quiet,” said Ross Meredith, Dual General Manager, The Westin Ottawa and Delta Hotels by Marriott. “Our ballrooms are empty, and restaurants are quiet – no weddings, no conferences, no meetings. As a result, our hotels are struggling. We need a plan to start getting back to normal, we can’t afford to wait.”

About the Author