Jul 6, 2021
Letter from PTTIA (includes TIABC), Supporting Cruise & Motor Coach Industry
Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport
We are calling on the Government of Canada to take immediate action to signal the safe restart of
Canada’s multi-billion-dollar cruise ship industry.
With thousands of jobs at risk in British Columbia, and with struggling cruise dependant businesses such as motor coach operators, we are asking Ottawa to send a clear signal that Canada is open for safe
cruise service in 2022 by announcing a scalable restart of the cruise industry and rescinding the order on the suspension of cruise in Canada by the end of the year. Specifically, we are requesting:
- The existing no-sail order be fully rescinded by December 31st, 2021, to allow for business
continuity planning, staff training and preparation in advance of the 2022 start of the cruise season. - These measures be communicated quickly and clearly before the current expiration of the border
closure on July 21, 2021 so that business dependant on this sector can begin to plan.
Providing a clear and immediate roadmap for the safe resumption of Canadian cruise in 2022 is essential to the many businesses like motor coach operators and tourism jobs that the cruise industry supports. It is critical that the existing no-sail order be fully rescinded by December 31st, 2021, to allow for business continuity planning. The cruise industry and cruise dependent businesses, plus their guests, are currently making plans for 2022.
The health and safety of the public, passengers, and crew remain the top priority, and complex decisions for what needs to happen to safely restart cruise service must be made immediately. We know we have missed the 2021 cruise season, but by rescinding the no-sail order quickly and clearly before the current expiration of the border closure on July 21, 2021, a rebound for 2022 is possible.
The Government of Canada announcement on the relaxation of the quarantine requirement for fully
vaccinated Canadians returning home is a small first step toward a full reopening of the border in the
months ahead. However, it is important that the reopening plan includes all modes of transportation
including motor coach and cruise. Further uncertainty around the cruise industry and the businesses
who depend on it will be created by not including all modes of transportation in the reopening plans.
The cruise industry generates $4.3 billion in total output and supports 30,000 jobs across Canada,
including motor coach, tour operators, attractions, food and beverage suppliers, hotels, retailers, taxis,
visitor destinations, port workers, and maintenance contractors.
This request is made on behalf of the following organizations which are collectively asking Transport
Canada to immediately and clearly indicate that they will rescind the ban on cruise ships in Canadian
waters before the end of 2021.
Sincerely
Walt Judas
CEO
Tourism Industry Association of BC
Sincerely
Danielle Timmons
VP, Aquila
Chair of TIAC National Cruise Committee
Sincerely
Beth Potter
President and CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Sincerely
Vince Accardi
President
Motor Coach Canada
CC
Hon. Melanie Joly, Minister of Official Languages and Economic Development
Hon. Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness