New report signals how the Canadian tourism sector can create economic growth, more middle-class jobs

December 11, 2018 – Montréal, Quebec

Canada's tourism sector already plays a vital role in Canada's economy, supporting more than 1.8 million jobs in rural and urban communities. Tourism operators and innovators in Montréal and throughout Quebec have played a major role in that success. But there's potential for even more growth. Unlocking that potential could create 180,000 new jobs in Quebec and across Canada. This would support the Government of Canada's plan to grow the middle class.

That was the message delivered today to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

Following her address, Minister Joly took part in a panel discussion with the Quebec representatives on the new Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy:

• Raymond Bachand, President of the Institut du Québec and former Quebec minister of Finance
• The Honourable Liza Frulla, Executive Director of the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec and former federal minister of Canadian Heritage
• Claudine Roy, CEO of Gaspé Real Estate Management and owner of Auberge sous les arbres

Minister Joly's appearance at the Chamber follows the release this week of a new report called Unlocking the Potential of Canada's Visitor Economy.

The report assesses the competiveness of Canada's tourism sector and identifies challenges that must be overcome. A successful new approach to tourism could boost the number of visitors coming to Canada to 47 million by 2030. That's more than double the record 20.8 million who came in 2017. Such an increase could generate an additional $25 billion in annual revenues and 110,000 to 180,000 new jobs across the country.

The findings set out in the report will assist the Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy in advising Minister Joly as she develops a new federal tourism strategy.