Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and other national partners, Indigenous sole proprietors are now eligible under the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) with costs qualified on a retroactive basis up to twelve months prior to the receipt of a project application, but no earlier than April 19, 2021.
The TRF was announced in July 2021 (ending March 31, 2023) with a total commitment of $500M to support the tourism industry overall, administered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). As part of this $500 million investment, a minimum of ten percent ($50M) will be invested in Indigenous tourism initiatives. However, sole proprietors were not eligible for the program and 65 percent of Indigenous tourism businesses in Canada are sole proprietors.
ITAC has been working with the RDAs since August 2021 to ensure that Indigenous sole proprietors can apply for this important relief fund. Indigenous sole proprietors are now eligible under the TRF. This is very important news for Indigenous tourism businesses in Canada seeking major funding support and ITAC encourages all Indigenous tourism businesses to review the eligibility requirements and, if interested, apply through your local RDA.
To find out if your organization qualifies for TRF funding and to apply, visit your RDA’s website:
- Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- Quebec: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
- Northern Territories: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
- Northern Ontario: Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor Ontario)
- Southern Ontario: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
- Prairie Provinces: Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
- British Columbia: Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)
Tourism is one of the largest employers and economic drivers for Indigenous communities across Canada. With the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector, Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism have been disproportionately affected. All RDAs are looking forward to supporting Indigenous tourism businesses and organizations, including sole proprietors, in strategically adapting their products and services to adjust to public health requirements while investing in recovery efforts for future growth.
If you have questions or concerns about existing or new applications or if your application was previously rejected based on the sole proprietorship condition, please contact ITAC’s Director of Business Development, Teresa Ryder, at Teresa@IndigenousTourism.ca.
Find more information on the Tourism Relief Fund here.