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NORTH AMERICA
CANADA INVESTS IN RECOVERY OF SMALL TOURISM BUSINESSES WITH SUPPORT FOR PARTNERS IN QUEBEC
A project which aims to support tourism to boost the economic development in Quebec ’ s regions has benefitted from a CA $ 40 million boost . The investment in the Tourism Small Business Assistance Project , led by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec ( FCCQ ) and the Réseau des SADC et CAE , was announced by Pascale St . Onge , MP for Brome-Missisquoi , Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED . This project aims to support small tourism businesses to help them adapt or develop their products and services by seizing opportunities arising out of the recovery .
CED ' s support – provided under the Tourism Relief Fund – will enable small tourism businesses to implement investment projects to adapt or develop their products and services based on their clients ' needs . Details of the financial assistance for the two organisations are as follows :
• The FCCQ is receiving a non-repayable contribution of CA $ 20 million to grant funding to chambers of commerce in urban areas based on the needs of tourism businesses within their territories . Founded in 1909 , the FCCQ is a major , diverse network of Quebec businesspeople and businesses that includes 123 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members . It represents over 45,000 businesses operating across all sectors of the economy throughout Quebec .
• For its part , the Réseau is receiving a non-repayable contribution of CA $ 20 million , redistributed to the SADCs ( Sociétés d ' aide au développement des collectivités ) and CAEs ( Centres d ' aide aux entreprises ) to help rural tourism businesses in their communities . The SADCs and CAEs are non-profit organisations that have been working for over 40 years to develop Quebec ' s regional economies . The Réseau includes 57 SADCs and 10 CAEs . Each year , they help and fund over 10,000 businesses and more than 1,500 local projects .
These two projects complement actions taken by other partners to support a tourism industry greatly affected by the consequences of the pandemic .
A key contributor to the Canadian economy , the tourism sector has been hit hard by the health crisis . Since the beginning of the pandemic , the Government of Canada has put various measures in place to help businesses suffering the impacts of COVID – 19 . The Tourism Relief Fund was created specifically to help businesses and organisations in the tourism sector offer innovative products and services to visitors and prepare to welcome back international travellers .
" Tourism businesses and organisations are key players in ensuring the economic vitality of our regions and local workers ,” said The Honourable Pascale St . Onge , Member of Parliament for Brome- Missisquoi , Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED . “ Thanks to the CA $ 40 million in support announced , the FCCQ and Réseau des SADC et CAE will enable small businesses in the industry better equip themselves and enhance their offering for the upcoming tourism seasons . Our assistance represents an important step in recovery efforts to attract tourists from Canada and around the world so they can all discover the best tourism experiences Quebec and Canada have to offer .” �
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