News release

July 22, 2003

Tourism commission adds insult to injuries sustained by tourism industry  

Ottawa --The Canadian Tourism Commission may be causing serious damages to the tourism industry by laying off some of its employees, according to the union that represents some of the Commission’s employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).  

“In a September 11, post-SARS, and post-mad cow disease and, the Canadian tourism industry needs all the help and support it can get from the Tourism Commission and its employees , ” said the PSAC Executive Regional Vice-president for the National Capital Region, Ed Cashman.  

For Cashman, the Commission could not have chosen a worst time to reduce the number of its employees assigned to helping the industry.  

“Our members have been doing great work for the Commission over the years by providing services highly appreciated by the industry” Cashman said. “It is definitely not the time for the Commission to drop the ball and to reduce its services.”  

Cashman also indicated that the experts see the present slow period in the tourism industry as a mere “blip” in the continued growth of the tourism sector in Canada and around the world. If there ever was a time the Canadian tourism industry needed help and guidance from the Canadian government, it is now.  

The labour leader also said his union would have willingly sat down with the Commission to discuss other venues of budget reductions.  

“The Commission never looked at other ways to meet its budgets requirements.” he said. “By letting go some of its most experienced employees, the Commission deprives itself and the tourism industry of an extremely valuable resource.”  

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For information:   Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications, (613) 560-4317  

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