New investments to reduce skills shortages, improve job readiness, and support long-term growth.
OTTAWA, ON, March 9, 2026 — Today’s Government of Canada announcement of new investments through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP) confirmed that Tourism HR Canada is one of 14 organizations to receive funding to support workforce development and labour market intelligence across key sectors of the Canadian economy.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, announced up to $94.5 million over five years split among select workforce development councils. The investment in Tourism HR Canada secures the extension and enhancement of its trusted labour market intelligence (LMI) and innovative resources designed to help tourism operators, workers, job seekers, and educators better understand and respond to workforce challenges and workplace changes.
Tourism has re-emerged as one of Canada’s fastest-growing sectors, generating nearly $130 billion in economic activity while supporting hundreds of thousands of businesses and one in ten jobs nationwide. As an industry rooted in human interaction, it is particularly reliant on strong workforce planning and data-driven labour market insights for long-term resilience and success.
One of Canada’s largest employers—and a vital first job for many young people—tourism supports a workforce of more than 2.2 million people across communities in every region of the country. As the sector continues to adapt to global challenges and emerging technology, access to timely, reliable labour market intelligence and practical workforce development resources is essential to ensure businesses have the talent needed to thrive.
Through this federal investment, Tourism HR Canada will conduct new research, share insights, enhance career awareness, and develop practical tools to help tourism stakeholders navigate rapidly evolving labour market, environmental, and geopolitical conditions.
“Canada’s tourism sector is a powerful driver of jobs and local prosperity, employing more than 2.2 million people in communities from coast to coast to coast,” states Philip Mondor, Tourism HR Canada President and CEO. “Investing in strong labour market information and workforce initiatives helps ensure tourism businesses have the insights and tools they need to attract, train, and retain the skilled workers who create world-class visitor experiences. By strengthening the tourism workforce, we are supporting local economies, opening pathways to good jobs, and helping communities across Canada continue to benefit from a vibrant visitor economy.”
Tourism HR Canada’s findings and tools will help guide shifting workforce strategies, support skills development, and improve job readiness across the tourism sector. Ultimately, the initiative will contribute to building a stronger tourism workforce and a more competitive Canadian economy.
About Tourism HR Canada
Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. Tourism HR Canada facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic and resilient workforce. Learn more at TourismHR.ca.
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Media Contact:
Heather Elder
Director, Marketing
Tourism HR Canada
helder@TourismHR.ca