Advocacy Efforts

The following is a list of campaigns and initiatives that OMCA has participated in to put pressure on all levels of government to understand the struggles that our industry continues to face and to provide the assistance that our members desperately need. If you have any questions about these campaigns or OMCA’s advocacy efforts, please contact us at info@omca.com.

Click on link below to learn more about it.

SEND A LETTER TO SUPPORT CANADA’S MOTOR COACH INDUSTRY

Initiated October 3rd, 2022

WRITTEN SUBMISSION FOR A NEW POST-PANDEMIC FEDERAL TOURISM GROWTH STRATEGY

Submitted June 27th, 2022

The Government of Canada wants to hear from Canadian tourism stakeholders from coast to coast to coast as it charts the path forward for the sector.

It will build on the work already done since the launch of the original strategy in 2019, with a particular focus on:

labour gaps and instability
investment attraction and destination development
long-term economic growth across the country

To share your views on how Canada can build on its reputation as a world-class destination, please send an email to tourisminfo-tourismeinfo@ised-isde.gc.ca. The deadline for submitting feedback is 11:59 pm (ET) on July 20, 2022

Federal Pre-Budget Submission – Update Jan.24/2022

Submitted January 24th, 2022

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY RECOVERY PROGRAM – SUPPORT FOR MOTOR COACH INCLUSION

Initiated October 27th, 2021
It’s clear that many tourism and hospitality businesses like attractions, hotels and tour operators are eligible for the new Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, however we need your help to ensure that the motor coach industry is included in this survival program. Please support our efforts by sending a letter to your local MP.

As a result of this campaign, Bill C-2 was introduced with specific mention of charter bus services.
Click Here to Read OMCA’s Statement on Bill C-2

Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses (CHHB) Summer Campaign

Initiated July 6th, 2021
This summer, the CHHB and its partners spearheaded a campaign to extend the federal wage and rent subsidies to help the hardest hit businesses, such as those in tourism, make it until the summer. These efforts were successful as the re-elected federal government has committed to providing additional supports. However, nothing can happen until their plan passes legislation.

OMCA’s Comments on MTO’s Proposed Driver Responsibility Exemption for Seat Belts on Buses

Submitted September 14th, 2021
Bus drivers are currently exempt from securing children under eight years of age in a child restraint system. However, they remain responsible for ensuring older children are secured appropriately (8.1 of Regulation 613 (Seat Belts)). The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is proposing the introduction of a regulatory amendment that would exempt bus drivers from the requirement to secure children between the ages of eight and 16 years of age. A summary of this proposal has been posted to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry (21-MTO075).
OMCA submitted a response to these proposed amendments in support of this change. For safety reasons, a driver’s attention must be focused on the operation of the vehicle and navigating traffic and other obstacles. Having to ensure that young passengers are buckled at all times takes their attention away from driving. These amendments will help drivers ensure the safety of all passengers on board by focusing on safely driving the vehicle. Read the full submission here.

Summer 2021 Campaign for Industry Specific Support

Initiated August 6th, 2021
While MP’s are in their ridings and connecting with local voters and businesses. We need your help to voice our industry’s dire need for government support so that MP’s and their political parties prioritize our sector.
UPDATE: With the election behind us, we are actively connecting with the elected MPs and will revisit our grassroot campaign when the new cabinet is appointed. Stay tuned.

Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget – 2022

Submitted July 2021
Motor Coach Canada/Ontario Motor Coach Association submitted a Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget – 2022, which outlined the motor coach industry’s need for the government to:

Introduce a tailored wage and fixed cost support program to support hardest hit business until summer 2022.
Introduce specific economic relief program for motor coach transportation service providers
Redevelop a national coast to coast motor coach transportation network

Student Travel Recovery Committee

Formed in December 2020
Since the start of the pandemic, OMCA has continued to work hard in advocating for and supporting its tour and travel members. In December 2020, a Student Travel Recovery Committee was formed by 3 local educational tour operators who sit on OMCA’s Tour Operator Council: John Temple (Temple and Temple Tours Inc.), Debbie Yantzi (Perspectives) and Ted Goldenberg (Chapman Tours).

Over the past 9 months, the Student Travel Recovery Committee has focused on collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Education. Their initiative is to work with boards of education on policies, awareness and strategies that will assist in the safe re-start of Ontario’s educational travel industry. They have made several presentations to different levels of government and will continue to advocate and educate people on the pandemic preparedness of our local industry to welcome student travelers.

This committee represents all OMCA members who plan educational travel (motor coach companies, hotels, venues, restaurants, DMO’s and educational tour companies) and is committed to supporting our local tourism industry. Their work is ongoing and updates will be given as they move forward.

Letter to Minister Freeland re: Extension of CEWS, CERS and Reopening the Border

Sent May 18th, 2021
OMCA wrote a letter to Minister Freeland asking for an extension to the CEWS and CERS programs as well as a clear plan for the border reopening. Members were called upon to send a similar letter to their local MPs and we have since met with multiple members of parliament and secured their support for this initiative.

Open U.S.-Canada Border Campaign

OMCA is a proud supporter of TIAC’s campaign to open the U.S. – Canada border in order to save the tourism industry from destruction. We encourage all members to take action with the letter writing tool available and spread the word on social media.
TAKE ACTION

Faster Together Campaign

This campaign encourages Canadians to get the vaccine as soon as they are able to. The plan for the reopening of the economy and lifting of restrictions on our personal lives hinges entirely on vaccination rates. For us to get back to living the lives we want, we need to have the majority of Canadians double-dosed to avoid further rapid infection, hospitalization and death rates.
You can help by getting involved with Faster Together directly, or by sharing our #FasterTogether posts on our social media platforms.

Future Borders Coalition

OMCA is a proud partner of the Future Borders Coalition which works to develop a new vision that will renew the Canada–U.S. border and security relationship. The ultimate objective is to enhance the traveler experience and improve the mobility of people and goods through the Canada–U.S. border (air, land and sea) all while ensuring that safety and security are not compromised, but actually improved.

Letter to Tourism Minister, Lisa MacLeod

Sent December 11, 2020
OMCA wrote to Ontario’s Tourism Minister requesting a tax credit specifically for travellers using a motor coach.

MCC Letter to Minister Chrystia Freeland

Sent December 9, 2020
Motor Coach Canada sent this letter seeking financial aid in the amount of (up to) $39,500 per motor coach which was determined this is the cost of a motor coach sitting idle for 6 months.

MCC Submission to CTA re: ATPDR

Sent December 9, 2020
Exemptions from specific requirements of the ATPDR (Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations) were provided to the motor coach sector in June of 2020 and were set to expire in January, 2021. As such, Motor Coach Canada (MCC) wrote to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) seeking an ongoing extension to the exemption, given the continued government restrictions affecting revenues for the industry.

Premier Letter Writing Campaign

Sent June 19, 2020
OMCA’s first letter writing campaign during the pandemic started with a letter to Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod and included a draft letter for members to send to Premier Doug Ford asking for grants for tour and coach operators for their marketing plans and subsidy for coaches to offset the costs of trips with fewer passengers.