MCC President’s Update – June 11th

As we emerge from the third wave of Covid-19, restrictions are lifting, vaccination rates are climbing and case counts are finally dropping. Policy makers are turning their attention to economic recovery. MCC continues to advocate for our members survival. We know that recovery looks much different for you than the overall economy and your recovery continues to be hampered with border closures and government support programs that are winding down to quickly.

This week, MCC, Hammond Transportation INC and Muskoka Travel Services met with MP’s Scott Aitchison, Bruce Stanton, and Doug Shipley to discuss the need for extending business supports and opening Canada’s borders. I also met with MP John Brassard along side with Angel Tours and Entertainment and hosted a one-on-one with MP Ken McDonald to advocate for continued support.

This week, TIAC launched a new campaign www.openuscanborder.ca  to call on the federal government to plan for reopening the Canada-U.S. border, which has now been closed for nearly 15 months. OMCA and MCC are supporting members of this campaign which focuses on getting Canadian decision-makers to acknowledge the urgent need and to commit to a date to open the border before the summer tourism season is lost. In supporting this advocacy push, I co-authored a letter with Peter J. Pantuso, the President & CEO of the American Bus Association, calling on both governments to open the border to all modes of transportation including motor coach travel. This letter has been sent to both the Canadian and US governments.

Last week, MCC participated in a Fastertogether.ca coalition meeting. This is a voluntary effort of a wide variety of people and organizations like MCC all working together to promote Covid-19 vaccine acceptance and help speed a recovery from this pandemic. The coalition meeting was joined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who discussed Canada’s vaccination strategy and the governments plans for reopening.

Please take a moment to visit both the Fastertogether.ca and the openuscanborder.ca websites. Both have social shareables that can be easily used to support both campaigns. Also, please remember to follow MCC’s social channels. We need all our voices aligned!

Thank you for being a member, your support is vital to our work.

Vince Accardi

Motor Coach Canada and American Bus Association Send a Letter to National Leaders on Reopening the CAN-US Border

As part of Motor Coach Canada’s advocacy work on border reopening, MCC president, Vince Accardi, co-authored a letter with Peter J. Pantuso, the President & CEO of the American Bus Association, calling on both governments to open the border to all modes of transportation including motor coach travel. This letter was sent to both the Canadian and US governments on June 9th and we are hopeful that the added pressure from the US administration will help move Canada along. Click below to read the letter.

President’s Update – June 4th

On behalf of the MCC team and our members, we express our deep dismay following the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Our thoughts are with their loved ones, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and Indigenous communities across Canada.

This week, MCC participated in the launch of the Faster Together campaign – a national volunteer-based initiative designed to encourage up-take of COVID-19 vaccinations. The latest research by Abacus Data shows that 21% of Canadians are hesitant about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The aim of this campaign is to reach hesitant Canadians and encourage vaccinations to protect themselves, our communities, and help us get back together faster.

Thank you to all members that participated in our Member Social last week as well as our webinar with Inna Koldorf, Partner at Miller Thomson, on COVID Protocols in the Workplace. It was great to see so many members participate. If you missed our COVID Protocols in the Workplace webinar the recording is available at https://www.motorcoachcanada.com/meetings-events/

President’s Update – May 28th

Tourism Week was very different again this year, MCC participated by helping raise the awareness of our sectors on going challenges with governments and Canadian’s alike. Tourism Week is a seven-day coast to coast event which helps recognize Canada’s tourism economy, and the impact it has on every community across the country.

We continue to call on members to write their MP’s calling for an extension of the wage and rent subsidies and for a coordinated approach to opening borders. MCC has created a template which you can find here. So far, between OMCA and MCC we have had over 80 letters sent, raising the awareness of our sector and helping us open the doors with these MPs. This campaign aligns our voices, so Thank You to all of you who have sent MP a letter. Each and every one helps.

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with the Director of Policy to Canada’s Minister of Transport. This meeting gave the association the opportunity to discuss policy issues we are facing and provide solutions for the Minister’s office to review. We discussed the need for sector specific support and will continue the dialog as we turn to rebuilding our sector. As we continue to increase our advocacy efforts and actions to help keep our industry top of mind for government officials. We continue to meet with provincial and federal officials to detail the challenges we are facing and to highlight the gap in government relief programs.  Please continue to share your stories with your regional MP and MPP. These grassroots connections are so vital to our work. MCC will continue to align our collective voices, however, we can’t do this without you. We need your engagement and support.

Thank you,
Vince Accardi

Get Involved to get the support you need!

On May 18th, Motor Coach Canada wrote the following letter to Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance encouraging the further extension of the CEWS and CERS programs for the hardest hit industries. Since 2021’s peak tourism season will continue to be hindered by public health restrictions, this hardest hit sector will rely on the assistance of the government supports to get them through to a more fruitful 2022 season.

Send Your Letter Today!

MCC members have received a draft template to send to their local MPs in support of this ask. If you have not received yours, please contact info@motorcoachcanada.com to get it.

Send your letter by May 28th and use our below social media posts to get more attention on this ask.

Social Media Messaging for Members

Click here to access the social media images FOR the posts below.

We are asking the Federal government to coordinate and announce a clear border reopening plan. Businesses are dependent on the ability of Canadians and visitors to move freely. We need a clear plan! @YOUR LOCAL MP @cafreeland @melaniejoly @BillBlair @OntMotorCoach @MotorCoachCan

It is vital that the financial supports available through Canada’s Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) be extended until revenues can replace subsidies. @YOUR LOCAL MP @cafreeland @melaniejoly @OntMotorCoach @MotorCoachCan

The planned subsidy reduction and program wind down of Canada’s Emergency Wage Subsidy is simply too steep and too fast! @YOUR LOCAL MP @cafreeland @melaniejoly @OntMotorCoach @MotorCoachCan

The federal government has been present from the early stages of the crisis, offering relief to Canadian businesses. The planned Wage subsidy reduction is too fast and too soon for our recovery @YOUR LOCAL MP @cafreeland @melaniejoly @OntMotorCoach @MotorCoachCan

Click here to access the social media images for the posts above.

Response to Grey Hound Canada – Shut Down

2021-05-13

“Today’s announcement that Greyhound Canada is ending operations is a major blow to Canada’s ability to connect people and communities. It highlights the need for specific government support for private motor coach providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic” stated Vince Accardi, President of Motor Coach Canada and the Ontario Motor Coach Association

Countries around the world are safeguarding their ability to connect residence and communities by providing specific economic relief for transportation service providers. Last week the U.S. Department of Treasury release the details of their Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Grant Program. The $2 billion program will provide grants to eligible motorcoach companies and other transportation service providers that have experienced annual revenue losses of 25 percent or more as result of COVID-19.

“Our members link smaller communities and big cities; they offer an affordable and convenient mode of travel for everyone from essential workers to students. They depend on ridership for revenues and often find themselves competing with government subsidized services. It will be vital to Canadians to ensure that they have transportation options” continued Accardi

Motor Coach Canada and the Ontario Motor Coach Association will continue to work with the federal and provincial government to secure support for private motor coach operators.

-END-

Motor Coach Canada (MCC) is a national association representing motor coach and tour operators in Canada. MCC is the national association representing the interests of private motor coach operators and bus operators supplying scheduled, charter, transit, and tour services.

Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) represents motor coach operators and tour operators providing scheduled service, chartered bus service and organized tours throughout Ontario, and across provincial and international borders.

Inquiries: info@omca.com

Business Pulse Survey – Due May 14th

MCC has released a new survey to get a pulse on the motor coach industry and better serve and support our members. Survey responses will be aggregated, and all individual and company information will remain confidential.

The aggregated results of this survey will help the association provide compelling fact-based statements when lobbying for the needs of the industry. We appreciate your time and effort as we ask you to share as much information as possible about your company and operations.

This survey will ask details about your activity, income and expenses pre-pandemic and today. To save time, please have this information ready when beginning the survey. You will receive a confirmation after submitting the survey which will include a copy of your answers. If you have any information to add/change after you’ve submitted your answers, please send them to info@motorcoachcanada.com.

This survey is to be completed by motor coach operators and the deadline to submit your response is Friday, May 14th.

Week Three – A Message from the MCC President

Thank you for your membership and support of MCC.  

This week, I was pleased to confirm MCC’s participation on the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Tourism Recovery Committee. This strategic advisory committee is informed by a dedicated group of industry leaders representing all sectors of the tourism economy and chaired by TIAC’s Board Chair. Members include representatives from; destinations, attractions, festivals and events, conventions, hotels, tour operators, airports, airlines and now motor coach and group travel.

Recently, Dr. Tam released a report that noted when 75% of adult Canadians have received their first vaccine, and 20% have received both shots, restrictions can be eased without the fear of overwhelming our healthcare system. This week, the Federal government confirmed that Canada will align policy on ‘vaccine passports’ with international allies. While both announcements give reason for us to be cautiously optimistic, we know that many communities are still dealing with increasing case counts and limited access to vaccines. These factors do increase the uncertainty over travel resuming for the summer season. However, we can all play a part in reaching the 75% marker, so please roll up your sleeves and encourage your friends, coworkers and families to do the same.

MCC’s dedicated team continues to advocate on behalf of our members. We are here to support your businesses and to support the restart of the travel economy. Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing a few surveys to get a pulse on what is working and where we will need to focus to support our members. Please take the time to fill these surveys in, the data is vital in our advocacy efforts.

For quick daily updates, please remember to connect with us on Twitter. If you are not a member and wish to learn more about the benefits of joining MCC, please contact us.

Take care and stay well.
Vince Accardi

Motor Coach Canada is Hiring a Safety and Regulatory Affairs Strategist

MCC/OMCA is looking to fill the position of Safety and Regulatory Affairs Strategist as a contractor or as a full-time employee.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Safety and Regulatory Affairs Strategist directs, manages, and where possible, provides subject matter expertise and interpretation on Ontario and Canadian safety and Operations regulatory activities and services provided by the OMCA/MCC to all members and associated stakeholders. This position assists OMCA / MCC members to meet regulatory compliance while mitigating impacts to Operations.

The Safety and Regulatory Affairs Strategist represents and promotes the interests of the OMCA/MCC before all levels of government, to other industries and to the public at large, in line with OMCA/MCC’s policy directions and strategies.



Interested organizations and candidates are invited to submit their proposal /resume in confidence by May 13th, 2021 to info@omca.com with a covering letter describing their interest and suitability for the position and compensation expectation.

WEEK TWO – A MESSAGE FROM THE MCC PRESIDENT

I’d like to start with a big thank you to all the members who continue to welcome me to the association, so kindly. In my second week at MCC, I continue to prioritize connecting with members, partners, and government officials. In short, this has made for very busy days learning about the priorities of our members, and industry.

We have confirmed our association’s participation in the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses. This advocacy coalition is comprised of businesses and associations in the tourism, travel, hospitality, arts, festivals, and business events sectors, who have been the first impacted by Covid-19 and will be the last to recover. The coalition continues to focus on Federal business support programs and access to liquidity.

As I get settled into MCC, I will continue to ensure MCC’s members stories are shared with government officials and our partner associations. Our team is working hard to support our members and we will continue to advocate on your behalf.

Thank you for supporting MCC!
Vince Accardi