The Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces today announced $4.5 million in joint federal and provincial funding for the Atlantic Canada Tourism Recovery Initiative (ACTRI). The Initiative aims to boost local tourism and help the industry prepare for a strong and swift recovery when travel restrictions are lifted.

"COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for the tourism industry. We are working together with the Provinces to rebuild this important sector that supports thousands of Atlantic Canadian jobs and businesses. Our message to the tourism industry is clear: we’ve been here for you with immediate measures and we’re here for you as you begin the road to recovery. We’ll get through this together and come back strong.”

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“These investments help reposition Atlantic Canada as a destination of choice and ensure that we are ready to welcome more visitors when the time is right.”

- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour, New Brunswick

“For decades, Atlantic Canadians have been proud to welcome tourists from across Canada and all over the world to our shores. Now, we want to be sure that when this pandemic is over, and our travel restrictions are lifted, the sector is in a strong position to take advantage of every economic opportunity. Canada is proud to join with our provincial partners on the ACTRI investments to support our Atlantic tourism industry to build back stronger.”

- The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margarets, Nova Scotia

“Tourism is vital to our economy and way of life on PEI. ACOA’s support helps our tourism partners create new opportunities for communities, businesses, and operators, and will help ensure we come out of this pandemic in as strong a position as we possibly can.”

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, Prince Edward Island

“The Canadian tourism sector is resilient. It will emerge from the pandemic downturn stronger than before, and our government is making the investments needed right now, to make sure of that.”

- The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador

 

“Tourism is an important contributor to the Nova Scotia economy. This investment allows us to continue to work with the industry to promote all of the amazing places, experiences and businesses we have to offer. We thank ACOA for their support and partnership. Together, we will navigate our way through these difficult times.”

- The Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Business and Minister responsible for Tourism Nova Scotia, Province of Nova Scotia

“The tourism industry plays a key role in the economy of all regions of New Brunswick. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 tourism season will be remembered as the most difficult and challenging one we have ever seen, yet we are very proud of New Brunswickers' positive response and support of the province’s tourism industry. We recognize the challenges our tourism industry will be facing in the season ahead. This winter, operators will continue to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the recovery and growth of their tourism offerings and we encourage New Brunswickers to rediscover our beautiful province to support this critical sector.”

- The Honourable Tammy Scott-Wallace, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Province of New Brunswick

“Atlantic Canadians share a special connection and come together to help each other in times when we need it the most. I really want to take this opportunity to applaud the Island’s tourism industry for their resiliency, and thank Atlantic Canadians for supporting each other during these unprecedented times. With the help of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Recovery Initiative, we were able to quickly pivot our summer tourism initiatives to reflect our given circumstances. As we move forward and continue to learn to adapt and live with COVID-19, I want the tourism industry to know that we are here for you and we will continue to get through this, together.”

– The Honourable Matthew MacKay, Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, Province of Prince Edward Island

"We are pleased to be working with Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, along with ACOA and the other Atlantic Provinces, as we collectively support the recovery of the tourism industry. Our government recognizes the tremendous value of the industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. Competitive marketing investment is critical to the full recovery of the tourism sector and realizing the full economic potential of tourism in our province and the entire Atlantic region. Continued investment in tourism is fundamental to continued growth and recovery of the industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

– The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

• The Government of Canada, through ACOA contributed a total of $3 million to the Atlantic Canada Tourism Recovery Initiative (ACTRI).

• The funding supports strategic initiatives in each province to encourage Atlantic Canadians, and other travellers when restrictions are lifted, to explore and experience the region.

• The Atlantic Growth Strategy is a set of pan-Atlantic, federal-provincial initiatives that are paving the way for a stronger economy in Atlantic Canada through a collaborative and consolidated approach based on results in five priority areas: skilled workforce/immigration; innovation; clean growth and climate change; trade and investment; and infrastructure.

• Growing tourism is part of the Trade and Investment priority of the Atlantic Growth Strategy.

• Today’s announcement is in addition to the more than $170 million in emergency relief funding allocated to Atlantic Canadian SMEs and business organizations through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).

• With Atlantic Canada’s tourism sector – and industries that rely on it like food service, recreation and entertainment – deeply affected by COVID-19, more than 30 percent of ACOA’s initial share of RRRF investments are supporting tourism-related businesses.

• ACOA is also delivering $38.1 million of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF) in Atlantic Canada.

• ACOA continues to invest in projects that promote sustainable local economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation through its regular suite of programs.

Associated links

• Destination Canada’s unprecedented partnership with the Provinces gives Canadian communities the lift they need
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
catherine.mounier-desrochers@canada.ca

 

Cathy Thériault
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
cathy.theriault@canada.ca
506-377-4964