January 2012

The Hotel Association of Canada’s primary role is to serve as an advocate for the interests of hotels and tourism in Canada. In this regard we have a strong government relations strategy designed to bring a focus on those issues that affect us all. « more »

September 2011

The 2011 HAC Grassroots Campaign has been the highlight of the summer with 105 meetings having taken place to date. We have already begun to see some successes. The new Open Skies agreement with Brazil, the 7th most powerful economy in the world, and the implementation of a new ten year multiple-entry visa for international travelers wishing to visit Canada - both positive initiatives by the Government. « more »

August 2011

The election of the 41st Parliament of Canada with a solid Conservative Government translates into political stability in Ottawa for the first time since 2005. As members of the Canadian lodging industry now is the ideal time for each and every one of you to reach out to your MP at the riding level and drive home the need for strong sustained funding for the Canadian Tourism Commission, a better visa process with improved access to Canada. « more »

May 2011

The majority Conservative government is now in power with a redefined and unknown NDP opposition. This majority government will provide more stability and allostakeholders including the HAC to engage more effectively. The days of the opposition simply objecting to topple the government are over. « more »

March 2011

Today Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presented the Federal Budget for the next fiscal year beginning April 1, in a politically charged environment that could see an election call by the end of the week. « more »

February 2011

Yesterday, February 16, the Hotel Association of Canada issued a press release based on our 2011 national Travel Survey www.hotelassociation.ca. The Survey shows that 21 percent of Canadians are travelling to the United States to purchase and travel on less expensive airline tickets. This represents more than 5 million return trips; a multi-million dollar loss for Canadian airlines, hotels, restaurants as well as Federal, Provincial and Municipal tax revenues. « more »

January 2011

Once again the Ottawa scene is changing. After more than a year of threats of an election call it is becoming increasingly evident that if the Conservatives can survive their March federal budget, they will earn another year of power as a minority government. « more »

December 2010

It is my pleasure to provide you with this brief update on the Hotel Association of Canada’s recent activities and initiatives. « more »