Tourism HR Canada was pleased to be invited to the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus to present our projections on available labour in tourism through to the year 2035.
More than 20 Members of Parliament and Senators attended the April 25th session, which focused on labour issues impacting tourism’s growth and competitiveness.
The projections included the effect of the federal government’s new immigration intake levels. While the new, higher immigration numbers will have a positive impact on the total number of workers the industry will need to meet the anticipated labour shortage, a shortfall of 60,000 is still projected.
Tourism HR Canada then presented a brief outline of its Action Plan, coming out of the very successful annual Labour Market Forum held in Ottawa in March. Key amongst the Action Plan priorities are:
- Reinforce the value proposition of tourism
- Improve coordination on labour market research and analysis
- Develop and engage the Indigenous workforce and seek resources to launch a comprehensive strategy to do so
- Develop more policies and programs aimed at helping the sector address labour market shortages
Tourism HR Canada was joined by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), and the Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association (BLLHA) in presenting a current snapshot of the tourism sector and its priorities.
All stakeholders in attendance upheld the need for federal policies that support immigration streams that meet the skills and labour market demands crucial to the continued growth in the sector and that provide a path to permanent residency. Additionally, all participants called for support for federally funded capacity and skills development programs which prioritize the tourism sector.
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