Finance committee  The billion dollars set out in the budget to help the tourism sector cannot be overlooked, with $500 million being administered by the regional development agencies. We still don't know how the funding will be allocated; the details are expected to come out a bit later. The money will support tourism initiatives in every region of the country, and that's a good thing.

Finance committee  Yes, we want the subsidy rates to stay the same as they are now. We are recommending that the current rates be maintained at 75% for as long as the programs are needed until the crisis is behind us. Regardless, businesses will not qualify for the supports unless they experienced a drop in revenue.

Finance committee  Yes, of course. A number of things are happening in Europe, where mobility and travel is the subject of much discussion, especially in Great Britain. We can look to that part of the world for guidance on the rules to implement and the technologies to use. I know proof of vaccination is also an issue that is being discussed.

Finance committee  I am responsible for the Conférence économique de l'industrie touristique québécoise, a group that brings together a dozen men and women who own businesses in the tourism sector. I will tell you that, when I ran last week's meeting, the mood wasn't exactly great. However, the government's announcements about the easing of restrictions are providing some relief.

Finance committee  Jean-Michel, do you want to start to answer as a business owner, or do you want me to?

Finance committee  This lack of predictability is a major irritant for tourism operators. For the past 15 months, they have been running their businesses while earning a tiny fraction of what they normally do. In terms of predictability, they can look no more than two or three months ahead. That is why they are calling for a border reopening plan; it will inform the investments they need to make to keep up infrastructure and hire workers, something that is even tougher during a labour shortage.

Finance committee  That's what we are recommending. We are asking the government to keep the current programs in place, with the same terms and conditions. We are actually asking the government to extend the measures for as long as they are needed. The tourism industry has never come begging for money.

Finance committee  Yes, that is what we are saying. Under the budget, the rates will decrease beginning in July until late September. The programs could be extended until November, but that still would not be enough, given that this summer will be like last summer—meaning that tourism businesses will generate only a fraction of their usual revenue.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, honourable members of the Standing Committee on Finance. Thank you for inviting me. With me today is Jean-Michel Ryan, chair of the board of directors of the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec and owner of Ski Sutton. We welcome the measures for the tourism sector in the 2021 federal budget, but with some reservations.

Finance committee  We think it's a great idea. One of our recommendations in the document we submitted in the pre-consulting for the federal budget is to incent Canadians to travel across the country. It should focus primarily on transport, giving discounts on transport to help Canadians to travel.

Finance committee  Yes, you know what I mean by that. We think a program that's instant, where you see tangible benefits right away when you want to make a reservation, is something that could work well, including with different local programs in the country. It could be complementary to other local programs, and without the tourism companies cutting their margins.

Finance committee  Okay.

Finance committee  Unfortunately, my guess is that many businesses will close. These programs have been a big help to get through the pandemic in the last year. For example, the company that has the most cruises on the St. Lawrence had 750 employees and now they have only 250. They don't know if they're going to have a season; 65% of their revenue comes from international tourists, and the borders are closed.

Finance committee  Are you talking specifically for tourism?

Finance committee  We don't see a lot of start-ups right now in tourism. The ones that we saw before the pandemic are having a hard time, definitely. We're mostly focused on the businesses that are there right now and are struggling.