Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers

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NEWS RELEASE – Canada’s tourism ministers meet and agree to tourism declaration

November 24, 2016 – Iqaluit, Nunavut – Innovation,  Science and Economic Development Canada

Today,  the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of  Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and  the Honourable Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Nunavut's Minister of Economic Development  and Transportation, co-chaired the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers'  (CCTM) meeting.

At the meeting, federal, provincial and  territorial partners* agreed to a declaration committing to collaboration on  important issues in order to grow and increase the competitiveness of Canada's tourism  sector. As a result of the meeting, the CCTM has identified the  following priorities and actions:

       
  • Strengthen competitiveness by collaborating on marketing;  broadening understanding of the sharing economy; facilitating communication on  the importance of air competitiveness and access; and identifying potential  solutions for labour and workforce challenges.
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  • Grow Canada's tourism offerings by exploring opportunities to  collaborate on Indigenous tourism; festivals and events; and sustainability and  economic development from federal, provincial and territorial parks visitation.
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  • Support a tourism statistical system in Canada that meets the information  needs of decision makers.

During the meeting, ministers heard from  representatives of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, the Tourism Industry  Association of Canada, Destination Canada and the Aboriginal Tourism  Association of Canada. Ministers  also discussed the variety of air access challenges across Canada and committed  to championing air access concerns.

* The minister from Yukon  was unable to attend the meeting and agree to the tourism declaration at this  time due to the recent territorial election.

Quotes

"This past year has been an amazing one for  Canadian tourism, with every one of our regions seeing growth. Tourism—from  ecotourism to sport to Indigenous tourism—is part of every Canadian community  and affects us all. I look forward to continue working with my provincial,  territorial and industry partners in advancing tourism priorities that will create jobs and help the middle class  grow and prosper."
– The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in  the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

"The approval  of the Nunavut Declaration is a significant step forward. Now we will have  national collaboration on tourism development. Canada is an amazing place that  attracts people from around the world. This declaration will strengthen our  competitiveness and increase our tourism products at a time when a greater  number of people are visiting our country. I look forward to continuing to work  with my counterparts from across Canada."
– The Honourable Monica  Ell-Kanayuk, Nunavut's Minister of Economic Development and Transportation

Quick  facts

       
  • At  the last CCTM meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, earlier this year, ministers  identified as a priority the creation of a new strategy to support continued  collaboration on tourism.
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  • Tourism  is Canada's number one service export, with international revenues of over $18  billion in 2015. Total tourism revenue from domestic and international  travellers exceeded $90 billion.
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  • Tourism  helps create jobs and supports local economies across Canada. It generates  revenues in key service industries, including accommodation, food and beverage,  passenger transportation, recreation and entertainment, and retail.
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  • Canada  received 17.8 million overnight arrivals by non-residents in 2015, an increase  of 7.5 percent from the year before. Overnight arrivals are on track for  another strong year in 2016.
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  • The  Honourable Eleanor McMahon,  Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, is the new co-chair of the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers and will host the next meeting in Ottawa in  2017.

Related  product

       
  • Nunavut Declaration

Follow Minister Chagger on social media.
Twitter: @MinofSBT
Instagram: minofsbt

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Contacts

James Fitz-Morris
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism
343-291-2700

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Matthew Illaszewicz
Manager, Communications
Department of Economic Development and  Transportation
Government of Nunavut
867-975-7818
millaszewicz@gov.nu.ca