House of Commons Debates

OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD)

Monday, February 26, 2022 

Visitor Rebate Program

Hon. Scott Brison (Kings—Hants, Lib.):

    Mr. Speaker, on December 20, Nova Scotia's minister of tourism sent a letter to the federal Ministers of Industry and Finance saying that the government's decision to cut the visitor rebate program will negatively impact the tourism industry.

    Why did the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance mislead the House by telling it that Nova Scotia supported the decision when all provinces opposed the decision to kill the rebate program that will kill thousands of Canadian tourism jobs?

Hon. Jim Flaherty (Minister of Finance, CPC):

    Mr. Speaker, the evidence indicated only 3% of tourists used the GST rebate. It was a relatively inefficient program.

    I can say, however, that we have heard various representations concerning the issue, particularly with respect to conventions and so on. These are matters that are being taken into consideration in our deliberations in trying to encourage tourism in Canada.

    We have also heard representations on behalf of the Canadian Tourism Commission, another important aspect of building up tourism in Canada. These are all important issues, not only for Nova Scotia but for all of Canada.

Hon. Scott Brison (Kings—Hants, Lib.):

    Mr. Speaker, the minister ought to read his mail from provincial ministers who are united in their belief that it is bad public policy to make Canada the only country in the OECD without a visitor rebate program.

    On December 4, the industry minister met with all the provincial tourism ministers, all of whom expressed their opposition to the government's decision. The Minister of Industry agreed with their position and offered to champion their position at the federal cabinet table.

    Has the Minister of Industry championed their position at the cabinet table or was he just telling them what they wanted to hear?

Hon. Jim Flaherty (Minister of Finance, CPC):

    Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada, as the member opposite knows, is spending about $350 million this year to promote tourism in Canada. This is an important challenge for all of us. It is one of Canada's major industries.

    We are working hard as we prepare the budget to try to further enhance the support we can offer for tourism in all regions of Canada.