Ongoing Issues
Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) - Since 2001
In partnership with accommodation providers from around the province, TIANB led the lobby effort with the provincial government for the implementation of an enabling legislation for the collection of a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF).
Minimum wage increase
TIANB continues to lobby on behalf of the membership about the negative impact of the minimum wage policy adopted by the province under the previous government. Bruce McCormack, of Downtown Fredericton Inc., recently raised the issue with a quote in the October 5, 2010 edition of the Daily Gleaner. "One thing that is hurting small business confidence in Fredericton is the rising minimum wage rate, said McCormack. "It's really having an impact on the service industry, restaurant and bars particularly" he said. "Those increases make up a big part of their budget." McCormack said Downtown Fredericton and the Tourism Association of NB raised the issue of a lower wage with the former Graham government for new employees while they are being trained and employees who receive a lot of tips. "There should be some sort of differential." he said. This is the kind of partnership that TIANB actively works on to make sure your voice is heard. The more people we can have at the table means the stronger our voice will be. Building partnerships is a key strategy for TIANB as we continue to be your voice for tourism in NB.
In November of 2009, the government of New Brunswick announced the cumulative increase to the NB Minimum Wage to the $10.00 per hour level in 2011. As this was a surprise to a lot of our members and to TIANB as well, a letter was sent to the Minister of Post-secondary Education Training and Labour, the honourable Donald Arseneault, to share our concerns with this considerable increase as well as recommending tip and training differentials to mitigate the impact for our tourism operators. In pursuing our representation efforts, a meeting of business owners' organizations (Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association, the Conseil Économique du NB, National Golf Club Owners Association, Downtown Fredericton, Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors) was initiated by TIANB to organize a coalition and to elaborate strategies to represent this issue to the NB Government. A number of meetings are being planned and arranged and as soon as more information is available, it will be communicated to the TIANB membership.
Licensing issues
As a result of discussions with licensees throughout the province, and with a number of issues raised concerning licensed establishments and the need to work with the Department of Public Safety, a working group was initiated by TIANB. The goal of the group is to gather information through surveys and to develop recommendations to the NB Government on necessary amendments to the NB Liquor Control Act. A recent survey to TIANB membership resulted in minimal responses and therefore a new strategy will need to be developed to gather support of this cause.
Visitor Satisfaction Program
The importance of quality and a "quality experience" are synonymous when speaking of a vacation and travel experience. Discussions among industry operators and government representatives from across the Atlantic region continue to identify the need for a way to "measure" the quality of an experience or the satisfaction of a visitor at an accommodation, restaurant or attraction. Based on this premise, TIANB offered its services to take over the administration of this Pan-Atlantic program that will provide tourism operators with to-the-minute information and statistics. In addition, so as to ease the transition and to ensure that the accommodation operators (roofed and campgrounds) in New Brunswick get a taste of this invaluable tool, the Department of Tourism & Parks have partnered with TIANB to cover the participation fee for the first year for all accommodations in the province. As the accommodation is the first phase of the program development, the plan is to extend its reach into other sectors of our industry. A presentation of the program was made at the TIANB 2010 AGM.
Consultation with Business NB
On December 3, 2009 a meeting was held with the past Minister of Business NB, the Honourable Victor Boudreau, and his Deputy Minister Bill Levesque to discuss priorities for the New Brunswick tourism industry. The following 5 priorities were shared with the Minister by TIANB:
1- Programs are needed to support the New Brunswick Tourism Strategy;
2- A program is needed to support the development or enhancement of virtual infrastructures ie. Website, IT training, social media, etc.;
3- A program is required for the enhancement of tourism infrastructures including accommodations, food service establishments, attractions, festivals and events including soft costs) and programs to encourage investments to assist people wanting to move and open shop in New Brunswick;
4- A program must be implemented to assist in the employment of staff (soft costs) including the expansion of the regular, seasonal and summer student workforce.
5- Programs must be implemented to facilitate and encourage public-private partnerships.
Credit/Debit Card Merchant fees - Since 2008
TIANB is lobbying with its national representative organization the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to take a proactive role in representing its membership on the Credit/Debit Card gouging merchant fees.
In addition, TIANB has decided to take a more active role in the "Don't Stick it to us" coalition work. Lead by the Retail Council of Canada, the position of the coalition is to work with the federal Government officials to develop a voluntary code of conduct. In a recent conference call, we found out that CFIB had taken a different position on the issue than that of the coalition.
Educational Institutions - Since 2008
With the planned move of the NB Community College (and CCNB) out of government process in 2010 to a Crown Corporation, TIANB continues to engage in talks with the Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour in order to minimize the potential impact to our industry. Consultations have taken place and more are planned for early December to investigate avenues for Community Colleges to play a more proactive role in providing graduates in the fields needed for our industry.
