The Destination Employment program helps newcomers gain meaningful employment in Canadian hotels, giving them the experience they need to build a successful future in Canada.
This initiative is a win-win for both hoteliers and newcomers. Hoteliers are faced with an existing problem filling the job vacancies they already have, and newcomers need opportunities to find employment once they settle in Canada.
In addition, the program is a win for the Government of Canada as it provides a new approach to help integrate newcomers (including refugees) and creates an opportunity for them to obtain their first Canadian workplace experience. The program may also be replicated in other areas of the tourism sector or in other sectors of the economy looking for labour.
Explore below for an overview of the program, or head over to the Destination Employment microsite for full details, success stories, resources, and more!
Employers: Address Your Labour Challenges
Employers must be willing to:
- Hire program participants in permanent (or recurring seasonal) positions
- Commit the time and support of a designated staff member to mentor program participants
- Document and explain how hiring newcomers to Canada will help address their business challenges and objectives
- Work with existing community organizations, partners and services to support newcomers to Canada with other settlement needs that may arise
- Participate in program evaluation activities, as required
- Provide program participants with wages and benefits that are commensurate with the demands of their employment, based on Canadian standards
- Provide flexibility for training, as required
Newcomers: Join the Hotel Industry
To be eligible for this program, you must reside in Canada and are either:
- A permanent resident of Canada (with PR card or confirmation of permanent residence letter)
OR
- A Protected Person and/or Convention refugee with a valid work permit
Regional Delivery Areas
For more on getting involved in this innovative pilot project in your region, contact:
Yukon: Yukon Tourism Education Council (YTEC)
Suzanne Blackjack, sblackjack@yukontec.com
Alberta: Currently on hold.
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC)
Carol Lumb, Carol.Lumb@tourismsask.com
Ontario: Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC)
Pinar Uzunkaya, puzunkaya@otec.org
Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council (NSTHRC)
Lisa Dahr, lisa@tourism.ca
To report concerns about the program, contact Tourism HR Canada:
Email: destinationemployment@tourismhr.ca
Phone: 613-231-6949, extension 246 or 228
