The Government of Canada continues to support the tourism sector for a strong recovery and future growth.

“As we recover from this pandemic, we are focused on being there for the tourism sector. With the support announced today, the Huntsman Marine Science Centre will be able to prepare for the future and attract new clients. This is an important step in the recovery effort that will allow visitors to discover the world-class tourism experiences Atlantic Canada has to offer.”

-       The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fully committed to supporting businesses and organizations through these challenging times, keeping safety as the top priority while ensuring they get support to quickly recover, innovate their products and services, and thrive. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses adapt, make improvements, and be ready to welcome back guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector survive the pandemic, recover and grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”

-       The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

“This year, the Huntsman Board of Directors completed our Huntsman Marine at 75 Years Strategic Vision to 2044. Investments from the Tourism Relief Fund will prepare the Huntsman to meet our long-term objectives by increasing activities across our campuses and expanding the months of operation in our Fundy Discovery Aquarium.”

-     Paul Leger, Chair of the Board of Directors, Huntsman Marine Science Centre

• Located in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, the HMSC is a research and science-based teaching institution that encourages interaction between scientists and industry by providing incubator facilities for start-up commercial companies in the marine sector of the economy.

• The HMSC supports the development of a sustainable aquaculture sector through three principle streams of research, including broodstock, database management, and pathogen services. 

• The tourism sector is a key contributor to the Canadian economy. In 2019, tourism generated over $104 billion in revenue and directly employed 692,000 people, including those in underrepresented groups like women, students, racialized people, and Indigenous populations.

• With a national budget of $500 million, including $485 million for regional priorities administered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and $15 million for national priorities administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Tourism Relief Fund is part of the billion dollars in tourism support announced in Budget 2021. 

• A minimum of $50 million of the fund’s budget has been earmarked for Indigenous tourism projects. Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

• $48.5 million from the Tourism Relief Fund has been allocated to ACOA to administer the fund in the Atlantic region.

Associated links

• The Huntsman Marine Science Centre
• Tourism Relief Fund
• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
• Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP)

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
catherine.mounier-desrochers@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Ann.Kenney@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Chris Bridger
Executive Director
Huntsman Marine Science Centre
506-321-1551

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