Tourism in Western Canada received a boost today with funding for a human resources strategy that responds to reduced travel and tourism in the region brought on by extraordinary events such as forest fires, flooding, BSE, and lingering concerns about SARS and West Nile Virus.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is providing $2.4 million to the Tourism Standards Consortium (Western Canada) Inc., with the four provincial governments and other industry partners contributing more than $3 million over two years.

The Tourism Standards Consortium (TSC) is a non-profit, incorporated partnership between the Alberta Training for Excellence Corporation, the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council, the Manitoba Tourism Education Council and go2 -- the resource for people in tourism in British Columbia, as well as the four western provincial governments or their designated agencies and a number of industry groups. The organization makes it possible to work together on human resources solutions so the industry can better compete in the global marketplace.

Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), along with Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline today confirmed their support for the strategy.

We want to help communities across the West increase their tourism potential by working with their most important resources: their citizens," said Minister Goodale. "Strategic planning to develop tourism clusters across the province can result in diversification, value-added development, new investment, and jobs and growth, all adding up to a more durable and profitable rural economy. The Government of Canada is committed to building strong, sustainable communities."

"Tourism development and marketing agencies across Western Canada are focused on retention of market share and recovery," said Minister Cline. "The work of the TSC and its partners is critical to ensuring our visitors have a positive experience, and to maximizing the economic benefit realized from visitor expenditures."

The Consortium's strategy has two components. It will help communities develop strategic plans and local expertise to recover from the current tourism downturn and promote growth in the longer term. The strategy will also address labour market and skill shortages by implementing activities to recruit, train and retain the existing workforce. As well, the TSC will explore community outreach with local Canada Business Service Centres and Community Futures Development Corporations.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) supports tourism initiatives as part of its commitment to building sustainable communities. In addition to today's announcement, WD, together with the four provincial governments, has provided approximately $19 million for tourism marketing initiatives coordinated by the Tourism Alliance for Western Canada Inc. WD has contributed an additional $19 million in support of more than 90 other tourism projects since 2000.

Federal funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.

For additional information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(306) 975-5942

Renée Gillen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister,
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(613) 954-1110

Carol Lumb
Director, Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council, division of Tourism Saskatchewan
(306) 933-5905
carol.lumb@sasktourism.com