TIABC Policies, Advocacy, Positions & Correspondence

2021 TIABC Advocacy Report Card

As the Voice of Tourism for British Columbia’s 19,300 businesses and 300,000+ employees, we present this Advocacy Report on our efforts to date with the caveat that our job is far from over. As long as it takes for the visitor economy to pull through, TIABC’s number one priority will be to continue to advocate on your behalf.

Download the full report here

Highlights of 2021 TIABC Meetings with Government & Stakeholders

In addition to individual meetings and submissions to government, TIABC also regularly participates in the Industry Engagement Table under the auspices of the Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation. Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport Minister Mark, Labour Minister Harry Bains, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix and other government officials provide briefings to various sector association representatives on provincial measures related to COVID-19.

  • 12/12/21 – MTACS Assistant Deputy Minister Nick Grant – Topics: Tourism project in Chilliwack; access issue involving forest company in Kootenays.
  • 12/03/21 – MP Patrick Weiler (federal government Pacific Caucus Chair) – Topics: Federal government relief measures; travel restrictions; PCR tests.
  • 11/26/21 – MTACS Deputy Minister Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Roundtable with commercial operators re: camping reservation system.
  • 11/22/21 – Min. of Finance Deputy Minister Heather Wood – Topic: Proposal by District of Tofino to use MRDT for wastewater treatment plan.
  • 11/04/21 – MTACS Deputy Minister Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Recommendations on allocation of $50 million in recovery funds; request for assistance to eliminate federal PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers.
  • 10/21/21 – MTACS Deputy Minister Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Recommendations on the allocation of $50 million on behalf of members of the Tourism Roundtable Advisory Committee.
  • 10/20/21 – MTACS Interim Assistant Deputy Minister Liz Vickery – Topic: The City of Abbotsford’s plans to lease or sell Tradex (originally a BC Government facility) to private interests instead of continued usage as a community venue.
  • 09/24/21 – MTACS Deputy Minister Neilane Mayhew – Topic: The City of Abbotsford’s plans to lease or sell Tradex (originally a BC Government facility) to private interests instead of continued usage as a community venue.
  • 09/07/21 – MTACS Deputy Minister Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Discussion on Discover BC camping reservations for commercial operators; industry’s view on Tofino’s plan to use MRDT for its wastewater treatment plant; status of $50 million earmarked for tourism sector.
  • 09/07/21 – MTACS Interim Assistant Deputy Minister Liz Vickery – Topic: Fishing impasse in the north.
  • 09/06/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew, MTACS Interim ADM Liz Vickery; MJERI DM Bobbi Plecas – Topic: Briefing on what role tourism can play as part of BC’s new economy strategy.
  • 09/01/21 – MTACS Interim Assistant Deputy Minister Liz Vickery – Topic: Tofino’s plan to use MRDT for its wastewater treatment plant.
  • 08/25/21 – MP Patrick Weiler (federal government Pacific Caucus Chair) – Topics: Federal government relief measures; travel restrictions; PCR tests; cruise.
  • 08/23/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Impacts of the latest announcement on vaccine passports, as well as issues concerning interior health restrictions, labour shortages and impacts of wildfires.
  • 08/20/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Policies being developed by TIABC on open net fish farms and old growth logging; TIABC’s position on paid sick leave and vaccine passports; status of the adventure tourism policy and the need for a champion within government to advocate for changes; status of Step 4 of BC’s restart plan.
  • 08/12/21 – Min. of Transportation DM Kaye Krishna – Topic: Marine border impasse affecting passenger vessels unable to operate between Canada and USA.
  • 08/12/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Marine border issue and provincial assistance required; status of workforce submission for government support. 
  • 08/05/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Discussion on the need for further input or ideas regarding $50 million still available to tourism and hospitality sectors this fiscal year to help with relief and recovery efforts.
  • 07/30/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Follow-up on the BC TRIP proposal to help large operators; discussion on status of World Cup Soccer opportunity.
  • 07/27/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Discussion and information exchange on the Major Iconic Attractions Grant Program and remaining funds available; discussion on options for $50 million available to tourism operators as part of recovery contingency monies from the 2021 budget.
  • 06/29/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Workforce plan development, large operators brief, other relief measures.
  • 06/24/21 – Min. of Transportation DM Kaye Krisha, ADM Deborah Bowman; Minister Rob Fleming – Topic: Request for province to petition the federal government to announce the lifting of the cruise ship ban and Province to issue statement of support for the BC cruise sector.
  • 06/22/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topic: Policy development by the Adventure Tourism Coalition.
  • 06/19/21 – MP Patrick Weiler (federal government Pacific Caucus Chair) – Topics: Federal government relief measures; travel restrictions; PCR tests; cruise.
  • 06/18/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Workforce shortage; relief funding; cruise issues; re-opening border to USA.
  • 06/18/21 – Premier John Horgan – Topic: Cruise ship ban and impact on BC.
  • 06/16/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topic: Cruise ship ban; USA border.
  • 06/10/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topic: Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
  • 06/05/21 – MP Patrick Weiler (federal government Pacific Caucus Chair) – Topics: Federal government relief measures; travel restrictions; PCR tests; cruise.
  • 06/04/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Proposal for BC Film Museum; Abbotsford International Airport.
  • 06/03/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topic: BC Trip proposal and relief for large operators; crown fee relief for tourism businesses.
  • 05/26/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Relief measures to help industry; $50 million budget allocation for tourism and hospitality sector.
  • 05/21/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew, ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Step 2 & 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
  • 05/18/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Campground reservations; insurance premiums; Circuit Breaker program; travel restrictions.
  • 05/17/21 – MTACS Min. Melanie Mark, DM Neilane Mayhew, ADM Salman Azam – Topics: Tourism Restart Plan; travel restrictions.
  • 05/07/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Abbotsford Airshow; travel restrictions; BC TRIP proposal to support large operators; Restart plan.
  • 05/06/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Consumer refunds; campground reservations; Circuit Breaker program; travel restrictions.
  • 04/28/21 – MTACS ADM Salman Azam – Topics: Meetings & Events sector re-opening; Circuit Breaker program extension; Anchor Attractions program; Squamish Spit.
  • 04/26/21 – Premier John Horgan – Topics: Travel restrictions; provincial relief support for tourism operators..
  • 04/23/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topic: Relief programs for tourism operators.
  • 04/22/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew, ADM Salman Azam – Topic: Mitigating impact of new travel restrictions.
  • 04/17/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew, ADM Salman Azam – Topic: Industry toolkit to mitigate the impact of new travel restrictions.
  • 04/16/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew, ADM Salman Azam, Min. Melanie Mark – Topic: Mitigating impact of new travel restrictions.
  • 04/13/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Consumer refunds; Fishing Tourism Highway; Non-MRDT collecting communities.
  • 04/09/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Meetings & Events proposal; tenure relief.
  • 04/07/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Meetings & Events proposal; Tourism Coalition restart plan.
  • 04/06/21 – MLAs Shirley Bond, Mike Morris – Topics: Relief measures; travel restrictions.
  • 03/30/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Travel restrictions; tourism restart proposal.
  • 03/26/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Large operators’ proposal (BC TRIP); tourism Restart Plan; restart plan for Meetings & Events; farm market restrictions.
  • 03/23/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Support for fishing sector; Meetings & Events sector support; help for non-MRDT collecting communities; Adventure Tourism Branch proposal.
  • 03/17/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew, ADM Salman Azam – Topic: Proposal for large operators (BC TRIP).
  • 03/16/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Commonwealth Games proposal; BC TRIP; Tourism Restart Plan.
  • 03/12/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: BC TRIP, HASCAP; Meetings & Events proposal; USA border re-opening.
  • 02/09/21 – MTACS ADM Salman Azam – Topics: Avalanche Canada funding; BC TRIP; camping reservations system.
  • 02/08/21 – MJERI DM Christine Little, Min. Ravi Kahlon – Topics: Changes required to Small & Medium-sized Business Recovery Grant program; rapid testing.
  • 02/04/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Inter-provincial travel ban; relief measures.
  • 02/01/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Changes required to Small & Medium-sized Business Recovery Grant program; HASCAP.
  • 01/29/21 – MP Hedy Fry – Topics: Federal government support programs; workforce.
  • 01/26/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Relief funding; fishing proposal; contract tracing; rapid testing.
  • 01/20/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Large operator relief; changes required to Small & Medium-sized Business Recovery Grant program; HASCAP.
  • 01/20/21 – MJERI ADM Christine Little – Topic: Changes required to Small & Medium-sized Business Recovery Grant program.
  • 01/19/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: Treasury Board submission; fishing tourism support.
  • 01/18/21 – Premier Horgan, MTACS Min. Melanie Mark, DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Travel ban; Provincial Restart Plan; support for large operators.
  • 01/15/21 – MTACS DM Neilane Mayhew – Topics: Travel ban; camping reservations; relief measures.
  • 01/14/21 – Mun. Affairs Minister Josie Osbourne, Citizen Services Minister Lisa Beare – Topic: Travel ban.
  • 01/13/21 – MTACS ADM Salmon Azam – Topics: BC Parks funding; Coalition restart plan; Meetings & Events restart plan.

2021 TIABC Presentations to Industry & Stakeholders

Throughout 2021, TIABC was a guest presenter to a diverse audience of industry businesses, organizations and stakeholders. They included:

  • Abbotsford Events Advisory Committee
  • ABLE BC Liquor Conference
  • BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) Tourism Summit
  • BC Fishing Tourism Association AGM
  • BC Lodging & Campgrounds Ideas Forum
  • Capilano University - School of Tourism
  • Destination BC Marketing Committee
  • Destination BC Industry Briefing
  • Destination Vancouver
  • Federal Conservative Caucus
  • Global Meetings Day
  • Helicat Canada
  • Parksville / Qualicum Beach Tourism - AGM
  • Royal Roads University
  • Sunshine Coast Tourism - AGM
  • Surrey Board of Trade
  • Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Board of Directors
  • TIABC - AGM
  • Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Town Hall
  • Tourism Tofino - AGM
  • Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Community Forum
  • Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) - AGM

“New money to help tourism and hospitality is certainly most appreciated. Aside from working with government to ensure that available funds flow to tourism businesses as quickly as possible, we will continue to advocate for further relief to access the unanticipated recovery measures that the Province committed to for situations such as the impending travel ban and ongoing border closures that have left our industry in a desperate state. We recognize that many tourism businesses may not survive absent of further support, so we look forward to our dialogue with the Province in the days ahead to find additional ways to help.” – Walt Judas, TIABC CEO (June 2021)

March 16, 2020 – TIABC news release re: Tourism Industry Calling for Emergency Fund
Read Story
March 16, 2020: TIABC letter to Premier Horgan re: Tourism Emergency Contingency Fund to Address Impact of COVID-19.
Read Story
March 21, 2020 – TIABC letter to Minister Beare: Proposed Government Measures to Assist BC’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Read Story
March 23, 2020 – TIABC news release re: Tourism Industry Responds to COVID-19 Action Plan
Read Story
June 8, 2020 – TIABC and Major Industry Partners Ask for Provincial and Federal Cooperation to Restart Tourism & Travel Sector
Read Story
June 26, 2020 – TIABC’s 2021 Budget Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
Read Story
July 20, 2020 – TIABC sends letter to all 87 MLAs in BC re: $680 million recovery stimulus proposal –View Sample letter here
Read Story
July 20, 2020 – Industry Response to Minister of Labour re: concern with Bill 23, Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020
Read Story
July 21, 2020 – TIABC releases Tourism & Hospitality sector proposal for $680 million recovery stimulus package from B.C. Government – Read proposal here
Read Story
July 21, 2020 – TIABC publishes media release and backgrounder on tourism industry sector stimulus package proposal
Read Story
December 11, 2020 – Government response to TIABC’s review of Modernizing BC’s Emergency Management Legislation report
Read Story
TIABC letter to Premier Horgan re: tourism emergency contingency fund to address impact of COVID-19. Available to TIABC members only
Read Story

Advocacy and Policy News

TIABC Releases Highway Signage Policy (June 2022)

One of the priorities of the TIABC Policy Committee in recent months has been to address the ongoing concern and issues raised regarding the province-wide maintenance and replacement of service and attraction highway signage…an important component of wayfinding for visitors to BC.

After a thorough review of the current provincial signs policy and input from industry stakeholders and members, TIABC developed a comprehensive list of the core issues regarding the current signage policy and subsequently developed the TIABC Policy on Province-wide Maintenance & Replacement of Service & Attraction Highway Signage.

Read the Highways Policy HERE

Passing of Bill C-2 Critical

The passing of Bill-C2 has been critical to the tourism and hospitality.  As an active member of the Coalition of Hardest Hit, TIABC is encouraged by the announcement for additional support to the industry, both provincially and nationally.

Letter to City of Abbotsford re: Tradex

TIABC, along with the BCHA and Tourism Abbotsford Society sent a Thank-You letter to Mayor & Council of the City of Abbotsford for their consideration and decision to ensure Tradex remains an event-based venue for years to come.  Read the letter here.

Destination BC Taskforce

Destination BC Taskforce – TIABC played a key role in working with government to fashion a proposal that led to the creation of Destination BC. A key part of the proposal was to imbed within legislation an investment model to ensure long-term and sustainable funding for DBC. TIABC thanks the many members who were a part of this taskforce and devoted many hours to develop a sustainable model.

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