Hiring Supports for Tourism & Hospitality Letter
On March 16, 2022 the following letter was sent to Ministers Boissonnault, MacLeod, O’Regan and McNaughton by TABIA.
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RE: CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE RETURN OF A THRIVING HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM WORKFORCE
Ministers Boissonnault, MacLeod, O’Regan and McNaughton,
Toronto’s Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) represent neighbourhoods that include Canada’s largest employment centre, its busiest transit hubs, and vibrant concentrations of retail, hospitality, arts, culture, and tourism.
We are writing today about the challenge faced by businesses in our neighbourhoods with recruiting and in-filling staff for hospitality and tourism positions, including seasonal positions. These are many of the most impacted businesses throughout the pandemic. While we are hopeful for a strong return to pre-pandemic traffic and visitation soon, we anticipate this year will continue to see these businesses struggle. We ask for your support with:
- Continued relief programs for the hardest hit businesses in hospitality, tourism, and seasonal businesses including forgiveness of debts, tax credits to defer costs incurred in increased safety protocols.
- Immigration fast-tracking, including for hospitality and tourism professionals and students, and for priority regions such as Ukraine.
- Skills training and development enhancements for hospitality and tourism industries in partnership with trades, universities, and colleges.
We are also supportive of further lowering of border and travel restrictions as public health leaders identify new protocols to keep us safe in less restricted ways. On behalf of our business community, we remain tremendously grateful for the supports and relief programs so far and ask for these hardest hit businesses that you continue to allow them the flexibility to thrive.
Our last request is that as public leaders, we encourage you to support hospitality and tourism businesses in your community directly, in person. Please encourage all your elected associates to lead by example in bringing people back out for fun and recreation this spring and summer. We hope to see you in person, at our restaurants and patios, at our attractions and on the water soon!
Regards,
John Kiru
Executive Director, TABIA
CC: City of Toronto MPs and MPPs
Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association, President and CEO, Tony Elenis
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, President and