ACTA Calls on Travel Agents for Support as Federal Relief Begins to Phase Out

As Canadian borders are still closed and there is no clear plan for re-opening, ACTA has warned the federal government that many travel agencies and independent travel agents could fail now that federal supports are “being aggressively wound down this month.”

According to ACTA, there has been no agreement from the government to extend support to the sector, even with a provision in the budget for some support to be extended to November. Federal supports begin winding down this month and continue to decline through September, when they will end.

“We are extremely disappointed that the government has not heard our plea for the travel sector — as part of the hardest hit industries – to receive extended support through the end of this year,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA president. “We will continue our efforts to push for this because we know many will not survive without it.”

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) decline to 60% for the period July 4 to July 31. Effective August 1 to August 28 both programs decline further to 40% and both programs decline to 20% effective August 29, ending on September 25.

CRB is reduced effective July 18 to 31, from $900 to $540 (after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. Eligible CRB recipients can apply for a total of 25 periods (50 weeks) between Sept. 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Many travel agencies have been relying on the wage subsidy and rent subsidy programs and many independent travel agents on the CRB, ACTA said.

The House of Commons shut down for the summer and Members of Parliament are working from their constituency offices. Provinces are also easing restrictions allowing people to hold in-person meetings.

“Over the past 15 months, ACTA has asked you to write to your local MP and tell them your story. Now is the time to call and request an in-person meeting if possible. Tell them the importance of extending CERS, CEWS, and the CRB in full,” said Paradis. “Along with ACTA’s advocacy work, travel agents need to do everything they can, including sharing their stories in local papers and on social media in an effort to get government’s attention.”