Additional relief funding available for tourism sector and non-profit organizations
The the global pandemic has seen the demise of small businesses across Canada and has devastated several industries. Next to the hospitality industry, the tourism sector is on the brink of collapsing in most Canadian cities.
The Yukon is one of Canada’s most Northern Territories and relies heavily on tourism to keep the local economy viable. With pandemic and several national lockdowns, the tourism dollars have dried up.
To help ensure visitor-dependent businesses survive through winter 2020–21, the Yukon government is making $1 million available through the Tourism Non-Accommodation Sector Supplement. Yukon tourism operators and food and beverage businesses that rely on visitors for at least 60 per cent of their revenues and have maximized their eligibility in the Yukon Business Relief Program and CanNor’s Northern Business Relief Fund will be able to apply for support to break even.
A total of $300,000 is allocated for the Culture and Tourism Non-Profit Sector Supplement to provide support to culture and tourism non-profit organizations who have suffered revenue losses related to declines in tourism visitation. Organizations projecting year-end deficits in excess of 10 per cent of their overall operating budget will be eligible to apply. This program is to be administered by a third party organization.
Both of these relief programs are based on needs assessments and stem from information gathered through surveying the tourism and the non-profit sectors and through engaging with industry partners.
A the tourism sector continues to be hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19 and the closure of the BC-Territory bubble is a reminder that the pandemic is not over yet.
“Our government recognizes that ongoing relief supports are essential and our priority is to ensure Yukon businesses and organizations survive and are in a position to rebound when the time is right. We will continue to work with stakeholders, Yukon First Nations governments, communities, the Government of Canada and other partners in a concerted effort to support this sector.” Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie McLean
The relief supports are elements of a broader funding package of up to $15 million over three years for the Yukon tourism industry.
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