Question Period Note: 2022–23 ISED DEPARTMENTAL RESULTS REPORT (DRR) (TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC)

In 2022-23, what results has Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) achieved for Canadians to support the ongoing recovery of Canada’s tourism sector and contribute to making Canada a leader in the global tourism economy?

• The Government of Canada is committed to post-pandemic recovery of the tourism sector—which was particularly hard hit by COVID-19—as part of a dynamic and growing economy that creates jobs, opportunities and a better quality of life for all Canadians.

• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) worked towards building an improved, stable and robust tourism sector by launching the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.

• The department continued to support targeted investments in the tourism sector to achieve inclusive, sustainable growth and maintain Canada’s standing as a destination of choice.

The 2022-23 Departmental Results Report (DRR) was tabled on November 9, 2023.
The DRR is Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) account of actual performance against the priorities, planned results and resource (financial and human resource) requirements in the Departmental Plan (DP).
In combination with the Public Accounts, the DRR informs Canadians and Members of Parliament of the department’s actual expenditures and results achieved.

Ministers of departments are accountable for their DRRs and must respond to questions on content and format.

The 2022-23 DRR is structured according to ISED’s Departmental Results Framework (DRF) and has three core responsibilities:
• Companies, Investment and Growth
• People, Skills and Communities
• Science, Technology, Research and Commercialization

Additional ISED accomplishments regarding Tourism in 2022-23 included:
• An extensive engagement and consultation process involving round-table discussions with 220 stakeholders and an online consultation with nearly 200 Canadian individuals, companies and organizations to address challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector.
• Signing contribution agreements totalling $14.6 million with four national tourism organizations to expand and diversify tourism offerings, as well as address the challenges faced by the sector in its ongoing recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

Moving forward, ISED will work towards the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy's five priorities:
• Invest in Canada's tourism assets;
• Embrace recreation and the great outdoors;
• Partner to grow indigenous tourism;
• Attract more international events; and
• Improve coordination through a Federal Ministerial Council.

• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) 2022–23 Departmental Results Report outlined a number of key initiatives that the Department has undertaken to support tourism, including:
o a renewed Federal Tourism Growth Strategy;
o the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) (National Priorities Stream); and
o support for Indigenous tourism providers.

• On July 4, 2023, the Government of Canada launched the National Tourism Strategy—a comprehensive strategy that sets ambitious targets and outlines key actions to support the recovery and of the sector and helps it thrive.

• The government is actively working with provinces and territories, and with other key stakeholders, including the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers, to deliver on the plan. This includes:
o marketing through Destination Canada;
o working with regional development agencies (RDAs) to deliver Tourism programing;
o launching the $20 million Indigenous Tourism Fund (ITF); and
o working across the whole of government to deliver results for the sector.

• In particular, ISED has:
o finalized and implemented a new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, including the new Indigenous Tourism Fund, to support the tourism industry in communities across the Canada;
o consulted stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector to develop a comprehensive tourism strategy; and
o signed four contribution agreements under the TRF’s National Priorities Stream to use the expertise of national tourism organizations’ expertise to expand and diversify tourism opportunities.