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Back to School, Back to Business!
Congrats to all TIAO members for delivering exceptional visitor experiences across Ontario this summer. As we move into the fall season, the TIAO team will continue to support you by hosting the Ontario Tourism Summit, facilitating the development of Ontario’s new Tourism Strategy, and driving ongoing media and government relations, including preparations for Tourism Day at Queen’s Park. In the meantime, here are some key issues to watch:
Tourism Education: TIAO recently surveyed post-secondary institutions offering tourism, culinary, and hospitality programs to assess the impact of federal changes to international student numbers. Early insights show a decline in Canada's reputation for higher education, a shift towards recruiting more domestic students, and potential program cuts in 2024. Key recommendations include aligning permanent residency pathways with labor market needs, launching a tourism career awareness campaign, and boosting employer engagement with schools. We’ll dive deeper into this at the Ontario Tourism Summit.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program Changes: effective September 26, 2024, changes include a 10% workforce limit, a one-year maximum employment period, and no Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will be processed in areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. Check here to see if your area is affected. Please email me at asiegwart@tiaontario.ca with feedback on how these changes may impact your business. TIAO is collaborating with industry groups to advocate for more workforce development, career campaigns for youth, and expanded pathways to permanent residency.
Airline Labour Disruption: TIAC is urging the federal government to take action to prevent a potential airline labour disruption from affecting the crucial fall tourism season. Learn more here.
Sincerely,
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