Question Period Note: Support for Indigenous Tourism Businesses

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About

Reference number:
ISC-2020-10084
Date received:
Dec 11, 2020
Organization:
Indigenous Services Canada
Name of Minister:
Miller, Marc (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of Indigenous Services

Suggested Response:

• We recognize that the Indigenous tourism sector is particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of COVID-19.

• This is why we created the COVID-19 Indigenous Tourism Stimulus Development Fund, which provides Indigenous tourism businesses with a non-repayable contribution up to a maximum of $25,000.

• In all, 678 non-repayable contributions were approved for a total of $16.2M of which the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has paid out 654 of those non-repayable contributions worth $15.32M.

• We recognize that these businesses face unique challenges and may be disproportionately negatively affected by this unprecedented situation.

Background:

N/A

Additional Information:

If pressed

• The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) ITAC has been working hard to get this funding to Indigenous businesses as quickly as possible.
• The Department is aware of complaints brought forward regarding ITAC. The Assessment and Investigation Services Branch is in the process of assessing the complaints to see if further investigation is required.

• As the preliminary assessment is not finalized, no further comment is available at this time.