OMCA’s Statment on Bill C-2

On November 24th, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, introduced Bill C-2 in Parliament. This bill would:

Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10% and increase the subsidy rate to 50%. The extension would help businesses continue to hire back workers, increase hours, and create the additional jobs Canada needs for a robust recovery.
Deliver targeted support to businesses still facing significant pandemic-related challenges. Support would be available through three streams:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, which would provide support through wage and rent subsidies to, for example, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75%. The types of business that would be eligible are detailed in the proposed legislation and in the backgrounder associated with today’s announcement.
- Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, which would provide support through wage and rent subsidies to other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50%.
- Local Lockdown Program, which would provide businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns up to the maximum amount available through the wage and rent subsidy programs.

“The association is pleased to see the charter bus industry included as an eligible business type in the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program” stated Vince Accardi, President. “At first read, the legislation will provide members with much needed and on going supports either through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program or the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program” continued Accardi.

Although not law yet, the association will continue to work with the government on the programs cut off criteria, issues related to seasonality and issues related to new businesses.