Businesses accessing the government’s pandemic wage and rent subsidy will see their support decline by half over the weekend, prompting calls within the tourism sector for Ottawa to step in.
The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program’s subsidy rate will decrease from 75 per cent to 37.5 per cent and 50 per cent to 25 per cent respectively, starting March 13., which launched in 2020 and represents hundreds of businesses in tourism, travel, events, and arts and culture, is calling on the government to maintain and extend the current level of support offered through the THRP.
Organizations that don’t qualify for the THRP can apply to the HHBRP by showing a 12-month average revenue drop of 50 per cent and a current-month revenue loss of the same amount. “The COVID-19 crisis has created an unpredictable environment for travelers and hospitality businesses,” said Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and co-chair of the coalition, in a statement.CTV News app sign-up: Breaking news alerts and top stories delivered right to you
In December, the government used regulatory powers provided in Bill C-2 to expand access to both supports amid criticism the eligibility guidelines were too severe given no regions at the time were under a lockdown.
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