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U.S. President Donald Trump’s misguided tariff strategy continues to wreak havoc on the Canadian economy, threatening the prosperity of families and communities across the country and putting tens of thousands of Canadians out of work.
Economic uncertainty and cross-border travel concerns are affecting Canada’s hospitality, travel, tourism, and gaming industries. Tariffs – and the ongoing threat of tariffs – could contribute to an economic downturn or even a recession. While the inflation crisis of 2022 has eased, there are still valid concerns about the rising cost of living. When essentials like food, housing, and energy become more expensive, Canadian households have less income available for discretionary spending on travel and tourism.
Unifor’s Hospitality & Gaming Sector Council is calling on governments at all levels, as well as sector employers and operators, industry associations, destination marketing organizations, and Canadians, to work together to support and promote Canada’s hospitality and gaming sectors.
Canadians from coast to coast to coast can stand up for Canada by embracing travel and tourism within our borders. Rather than looking to U.S. or international destinations for tourism, business, and conference travel, Canadians can look to the almost endless variety of options right here in our own country.
A recent report by the Conference Board of Canada, factoring in changing spending habits of Canadian travellers based on the ongoing economic and political turbulence, estimates additional potential domestic tourism spending pool at approximately $10.3 billion. It is clear Canadian travellers have the power to spend their tourism and hospitality money in a way that supports Canadian workers, their families, and their communities. For example, in 2023, 1.4 million Canadians visited Las Vegas alone, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). That accounts for about 30 per cent of all international tourism to the city. The tariffs and backlash against travel to the United States provide Canadian casinos with an opportunity to repatriate those gamblers.
Hospitality and gaming employers and operators can promote and prioritize Canadian products and services at their establishments, while de-listing and de-prioritizing America-made products and services. Many bars and restaurants have already removed American products from their menus and wine lists.
The federal government and the provinces can continue to introduce and strengthen existing procurement policies that favour made-in-Canada products and services. Within the gaming sector, governments and Canadian operators can embrace a Canada-first policy by prohibiting American companies from bidding on provincial business, or cancelling existing contracts with U.S. suppliers and service providers for things like slot machines and other gaming terminals.
In the face of a potential economic slowdown caused by Trump’s tariffs, we call on the federal government to prepare for a potential rise in unemployment and provide additional income supports to workers affected by the tariffs. Hospitality and gaming workers in Canada could face slowdowns and layoffs, and we know that many non-union workers in the sector work struggle with precarious and part-time work. These workers will not qualify for rigid and outdated Employment Insurance qualifying rules.
Income supports should include improved access to Employment Insurance benefits or other special income assistance programs, with more accessible qualifying rules and enhanced income support to offset a greater share of lost income. In addition, benefits should be extended in duration, with allowances for workers to earn supplementary income or undertake education while receiving support.
At the grocery store, car dealership, clothing boutique and elsewhere, Canadians have been choosing to “Buy Canadian” in response to Trump’s misguided tariff strategy and his unprecedented attack on our sovereignty. Unifor’s Hospitality & Gaming Sector Council is encouraging Canadians to also support hospitality and gaming workers by enjoying Canada’s worldclass restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels and motels, resorts, and tourism attractions.
Canadian hospitality and gaming workers are waiting to welcome you!