Why Renew Now?
There is no other national association that is singularly focused on the needs of the hotel sector at this critical moment in our history. We need to bolster this advocacy work now in order to ensure the industry's survival.
A LONG ROAD BACK
APPROACH
The hotel industry was first hit and it will be the last to recover. It will need additional and continued support from the Government in order to survive. To accomplish this, the Association needs to augment and sustain its lobbying efforts until the hotel sector recovers.
HAC will deliver against the following immediate and medium-term priorities.
The Journey: Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses
Lobbying Success
When the pandemic blindsided the hotel industry, the Hotel Association of Canada rose to the occasion offering deep supportto members and a sophisticated, highlyinfluential lobbying program. With the support of the industry, we built an exceptionally talented team of experts, consultants, and analysts to meet the 24/hr requirements of the job. HAC has been working with the highest levels of Government to ensure that the hotel industry is supported through this pandemic. This work has centered around the system design of support programs where HAC has played a key role in ensuring access for the hotel sector. As a result, we have influenced every program announced that had applicability to the sector, and have secured more than $11 Billion in liquidity from the Federal Government.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Increased from the initial 10% to 75% wage subsidy.
Applies to laid-off workers, and now will no longer exclude employees that have been without pay for 14 consecutive days.
Extended to include partnerships that are up to 50-per-cent owned by non-eligible members; and partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments.
First extended to August 2020 and then to December 2020, followed by an extension through to June 2021 following a Coalition effort to extend coverage and add wage support throughout the next year (watch here).
Includes third-party payroll providers that can receive retroactive CEWS payments backdated to March 15, 2020.
Extended CEWS includes subsidy top-up for hardest-hit businesses.
EMPLOYMENT MEASURES
Government committed to fixing loan access and dedicated support for the hospitality sector
Deferred GST/HST payments until June 2020.
Mortgage Payment Deferrals for 6 months (with cooperation of lenders).
Canada Emergency Business Account – $40k, 25% forgivable. Pushed eligibility up to $1.5 million payroll. Ensured that loan could be accessed on a property basis.
Over $1.5 billion in funding for the Regional Relief Recovery Fund (RRRF).
Influenced the program design of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to also include fixed cost relief for hotel property owners to cover mortgage interest, property taxes and municipal taxes
HAC successfully designed and built a new program – HASCAP – for hotels.
LIQUIDITY & RELIEF
Government Support for Hotels
VALUE TO THE HOTEL SECTOR
+
Meetings & Engagements
facilitated with key elected officials
Letters Sent to Members of Parliament
Implemented a 5-Point Plan
for Government Support
HAC's Advocacy
Process
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Invited to Appear at Key Decision Making Committees - including Finance and Industry Science & Technology
Broadcasting Our
Industry's Message
TO GAIN GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC SUPPORT
DRIVING HEADLINES:
The hotel industry is made up of mostly small business owners in the community. These are not big businesses with deep pockets.
TELLING OUR STORY:
First hit and last to recover, this industry will need additional support. Helping our sector means helping our over 300,000 employees come back to work.
HAC'S MEDIA VIDEO:
RESULTS:
TV and radio interviews,
and articles published
billion
Impressions
million
In equivalent advertising
Developing the Tools Hotels Need
AND PROVIDING COMPLIMENTARY INDUSTRY-WIDE ACCESS
Best Practice
Guidelines
Legal
Accessing Government Programs
New Microsite:
hac-covid.com
Safe Stay
Guidelines
1,850+
DOWNLOADS
40+
Webinars Hosted or Guest Panelist
35,000 +
Unique Visitors
to COVID-19 Microsite
+700
Membership Growth During COVID-19