Tourism HR Canada Announces Launch of the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic
(OTTAWA, ON—January 9, 2025) As part of its commitment to fostering an inclusive tourism sector, Tourism HR Canada announces a new initiative to help Canada’s tourism employers by launching the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic.
The Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic is an innovative new program aimed at enhancing inclusivity and accessibility within the tourism sector. The goal is to support employers with inclusive hiring, connect them with a largely untapped talent pool to address workforce shortages, and increase the sector’s capacity to better engage with persons with disabilities as part of their business.
Partnering on the initiative are the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) and MacLeod Silver HR Business Partners, both experienced subject matter experts with tourism workforce development experience.
Services will include:
- Customized training, tailored for tourism employers
- Recruitment support and job matching through experienced HR professionals and leading Canadian service partners
- Accessibility consulting and strategic planning thataligns with tourism business goals and legislation
- Workplace adjustment advisory services, as needed, to set everyone up for success
- Expert guidance around best practices for creating an inclusive workplace
The benefits are clear:
- Diverse perspectives lead to higher innovation and better staff retention.
- Inclusive businesses enjoy stronger customer loyalty and a positive reputation.
- Addressing accessibility needs helps fill workforce gaps and tackle shortages.
This initiative offers a real value for people with disabilities in Canada:
- Career exploration within tourism
- Access to inclusive employers
- Tailored workplace adjustments
- Success-focused careers for growth and fulfillment
Part of Tourism HR Canada’s Belong project, the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic will not only help employers foster a more inclusive work environment, but also enhance the overall experience for employees and visitors alike.
This program is offered on a complimentary basis to tourism employers, thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The Opportunities Fund provides funding to organizations across Canada to assist persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment or become self-employed, or advance in their careers. The program also supports employers to create more inclusive and accessible workplaces.
Learn more about the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic.
Learn more about the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund.
Quotes
“Canada is a beautiful place to live and visit, a place where diversity is a fact and where we choose to include everyone in all aspects of our nation. Through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, our government is supporting Tourism HR Canada’s Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic, helping to remove barriers and improve accessibility in the tourism industry, so that everyone can take in the beauty of our country.”
– The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
“Congratulations to Tourism HR Canada on launching the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic to help the sector better engage persons with disabilities in the workforce. Tourism is a key driver of Canada’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. The more employees with disabilities are included in the hospitality sector, at all levels, the better equipped tourism operators and companies will be to provide accessible experiences and services to staff and visitors alike. Accessibility drives innovation, increases profitability, and makes things better for everyone. With eight million Canadians living with a disability and people with disabilities being the world’s largest minority group, accessibility is everyone’s business.”
– Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer
“The Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic will be a key resource to help build a truly diverse and inclusive tourism workforce. It will provide practical, tangible support to tourism employers as the progress on their accessibility journeys and connect job seekers with disabilities with meaningful employment. We are delighted to have the expertise of our partner organizations to provide the latest advice tailored for each employer’s unique needs.”
– Philip Mondor, President and CEO, Tourism HR Canada
“I am thrilled to support the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic in collaboration with Tourism HR Canada. At CCRW, promoting and fostering inclusive employment is at the heart of what we do, and this initiative is a key step in providing employers in the tourism sector with the tools and strategies to create accessible and welcoming workplaces. Through this collaboration, we aim to equip employers with practical guidance on recruitment, retention, and accommodations, empowering them to build inclusive teams. By doing so, we not only create opportunities for individuals with disabilities but also enhance the tourism experience for Canadians and visitors alike.”
– Maureen Haan, President and CEO, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)
“I am truly honoured to lead the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic on behalf of Tourism HR Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW). As a former HR Director in the tourism sector, this initiative feels like a full-circle moment for me! Our team of experts is excited to collaborate with employers from across Canada to help build their capacity for engaging people with disabilities in the tourism workforce. We aim to improve not only workplace inclusion but also the overall experience for guests enjoying Canada’s diverse tourism offerings.”
– Jamie Millar-Dixon, Principal Consultant, MacLeod Silver HR Business Partners
“We know first-hand that when team members from diverse backgrounds feel valued and respected for their unique contributions, they collaborate and bring innovative ideas and approaches to the table. In tourism, where client and guest experiences are at the heart of everything we do and crucial to our success, such innovation is critical in meeting their evolving needs. The Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic will support our industry in prioritizing diversity and inclusion in all that we do, reflecting the diverse world we serve and also paving the way for a more vibrant, innovative, and prosperous future.”
– Saadeea Islam, Sr. Manager, People & Culture, B.C. Pavilion Corporation
About Tourism HR Canada
Tourism HR Canada is a pan-Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. As a Workforce Development Council, it facilitates, coordinates, and enables human resource development activities that support a globally competitive and sustainable industry and foster the development of a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient workforce. The organization works with the industry to attract, train, and retain valuable tourism professionals by giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed in their careers and entrepreneurial endeavours. Learn more at TourismHR.ca.
Media contact
Heather Elder
Director, Marketing
Tourism HR Canada
helder@tourismhr.ca