Certainly, the increased cost of doing business is challenging all tourism operators right now. It includes everything from the supply chain to the additional taxes and fees they're required to pay at different levels of government.
Tourism represents a diverse workforce. Young people make up one-third of our workforce. We're quite proud of that. We're quite proud that we are the number one employer of youth in our country. We provide that all-important first job and the first on-the-job training and exposure to those soft skills that are transferable to really any job you can go to as you progress in your life.
The bigger challenge we're having is helping Canadians understand that we have jobs, but we also have careers. Transitioning from a job as a young person who's maybe working their way through school to a career—that is what we're really focused on as an industry.
I believe you'll be hearing from Phil Mondor from Tourism HR Canada at one of your upcoming meetings. He will support that we need to wholeheartedly change the concept, change the mindset and bust some of the myths that the only kinds of jobs in the industry are seasonal, temporary and low-paying, and that they don't lead anywhere. That is not the case. In our industry, 70% of our workforce is permanent and full time. They are making above-average wages year round and are being well supported through benefit programs, professional development and increased skill training.
The challenges of hiring youth are not related just to cost but to many factors.