BUDGET NUGGETS

Today’s Federal Budget: What To Expect

Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland, Finance Minister

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will deliver the Liberal government's first budget in two years on Monday, at 4:00PM EST.

Canada’s travel industry is watching closely to see if and how the government intends to support travel and its eventual recovery as the country confronts the third wave of the pandemic.

Open Jaw reached out to ACTA’s Wendy Paradis for a recap of the association’s specific wish list. ‘We’re hoping that there is overt recognition of the “hardest hit sectors”(tourism, travel, hospitality and the arts) and that we are specifically mentioned in the budget and budget speech.”

Paradis cautions not to expect a lot of specifics in the speech. “Like the throne speech back in the fall, I expect the budget speech will be very high level, and lack concrete details.”

Leaks suggest the government will continue financial support for those hardest-hit, including small businesses. That is said to include extending wage and rent subsidies currently in place through the fall.

According to the CBC, the budget will include $12 billion for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) as well as the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy. Both programs have been a mainstay in keeping both travel retailers and suppliers afloat.

Observers are also watching for budget funds earmarked for additional support of Canada’s airlines and air travel infrastructure, as well as recovery of the travel industry once restrictions are lifted.

Open Jaw will be closely monitoring the budget speech and will provide updates as they become available.

You may also like
World-Class Culture, Fine Wine and Mating Rhinos; South Africa Comes to Town
South Africa’s Justin Barnette, the highly entertaining head of Marketing and Communications, said the tourism team wanted to come to Toronto ...
Plane in Flight
CAPA ANALYSIS: With Lynx Gone, Canada’s Big Airlines Are Playing it Smart
A Senior Analyst, Americas, at Sydney-based CAPA - Centre for Aviation, penned a story this week that looks at how Canadian ...
JTB Invites GTA Advisors to Attend ‘Evening with Jamaica’ Event 16-17APR
The Jamaica Tourist Board is hosting two events in Toronto for GTA advisors to experience an Evening with Jamaica on 16APR ...
Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Opening Hailed as a First
The 18th resort in its portfolio, Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines held its ribbon cutting ceremony on 28MAR. For travel ...
WestJet 737 MAX 8
Antigua and Barbuda Sees 'Major Boost' to Lift for Summer, Winter
Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transport and Investment, The Honourable Charles Fernandez, earlier this month led a…

Talk Back! Post a comment: