Question Period Note: Funding to Support the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)

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• Indigenous tourism is a key economic driver in Indigenous communities and an important part of Canada’s tourism sector.
• This investment will help the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada grow the industry and develop sustainable, self-generated revenue.
• Indigenous tourism also benefits from federal programs like the Strategic Partnerships Initiative, which supports regional initiatives.
• Growing Indigenous tourism is a core priority of Canada’s Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.
• This investment reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation, economic opportunity, and the celebration of Indigenous cultures.

Tourism is an opportunity for Indigenous communities to generate revenue and diversify their economies. For instance, in 2022, Indigenous tourism generated $1.7 billion in direct gross domestic product (GDP) and 32,000 jobs. The sector is diverse, inclusive and supports rural, remote and northern economies.

ITAC is a national not-for-profit organization that provides economic development advisory services, tourism conferences, capacity development training and workshops, industry research, and information for Indigenous tourism operators and communities throughout Canada.

The federal government supports Indigenous tourism through various levers, including Regional Development Agencies’ core programs and the Tourism Growth Program, which sunsets in 2025-26. Demand for federal funding remains high across the sector. ISC’s Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) helps fill key gaps, particularly for core and project-based funding for regional Indigenous tourism associations. Since 2016, ISC has also provided core and project-based funding directly to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).

If pressed on funding Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has provided to ITAC
• Since 2017, ISC has provided ITAC with over $18 million in funding across multiple budgets – $8.66 million (2017-21), $2.4 million (2021-22), $4.8 million (2022-24), and $2.5 million (2024-25) – to support the growth and sustainability of Indigenous tourism.
• In 2025, ISC provided $200,000 to support the International Indigenous Tourism Conference.

If pressed on diminished funding
• The Government of Canada is aware of ITAC concerns and is working with partners to better coordinate federal supports and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Indigenous tourism industry.
• The Government values its partnership with ITAC and recognizes its important work as a national organization in supporting Indigenous tourism across Canada.
• Indigenous tourism support from ISC is in addition to a number of federal levers that support the Indigenous tourism industry.