Destination Canada Launches New Toolkits to Support the Development of Tourism in Rural, Remote and Northern Communities
OTTAWA, ON, May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Today Destination Canada, in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), launches two new Tourism Destination Development Toolkits to more than 1,500 elected officials at the FCM Annual Conference and Tradeshow.
The two toolkits, focused on tourism development for rural as well as remote and northern Canadian communities are designed to support municipalities in building vibrant, sustainable, and competitive tourism destinations. As part of Destination Canada and FCM's ongoing partnership, these resources were developed collaboratively with FCM, incorporating feedback from their remote, rural, and northern community caucuses.
Connected to Destination Canada's 2030 Strategy, the toolkits are designed for communities starting from the ground up and who may not have dedicated tourism organizations or personnel. These comprehensive resources offer practical guidance on tourism innovation, community involvement, Indigenous partnerships, and regenerative tourism practices. They help define tourism's ecosystem and showcase how destinations can leverage Destination Canada's latest tourism intelligence and analytics, which also focus on the growing value of the visitor economy.
The Toolkits Include:
Key Features
The toolkits make their debut during the 'Ask the Expert' session at the FCM Annual Conference May 29-June 2 in Ottawa. During this session, municipal panelists will share their own perspectives on economic diversification and highlight the value of leveraging the visitor economy in today's uncertain landscape. The discussion centres around how the toolkits can facilitate tourism development and community engagement, improve both visitor and resident experiences, and drive sustainable economic growth by expanding the visitor economy into new regions.
Tourism's Opportunity:
In 2024, tourism contributed $130B to the Canadian economy—that's over $350M a day in revenue, powered by 265,000 businesses in 5,000 communities coast to coast to coast.
Tourism is an important catalyst for economic growth. It breathes life into economic opportunities across diverse sectors such as hospitality, transportation, retail, arts and culture, and entertainment—while also enhancing the quality of life in communities.
The Tourism Destination Development Toolkits reflect Destination Canada's commitment to supporting municipalities with actionable strategies and innovative solutions, connecting communities to the tourism ecosystem and catalyzing their visitor economy.
Quotes:
'Tourism is a powerful economic engine that drives growth and prosperity across Canada. By supporting travel and tourism at the community level, we're creating meaningful opportunities—including for Indigenous peoples—while strengthening the economic fabric of the places we call home. These toolkits will empower northern, remote and rural communities to build on their unique strengths, improve their quality of life and develop tourism in a way that reflects their identity and values.' – The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
'Canada's rural, remote, and northern communities are packed with one-of-a-kind cultural experiences and natural beauty — they're at the heart of what makes our tourism industry special. This practical toolkit is all about helping local businesses and communities play to their strengths and grow tourism in a smart, sustainable way that really benefits folks on the ground in our communities."-The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development)
'Destination Canada's new toolkits represent a pivotal step forward in empowering our municipal leaders to create authentic, sustainable, and competitive destinations,' says Gracen Chungath, SVP, Investment and Destination Development. 'With an intentional destination strategy that is integrated into the community plan; municipal leadership, residents and businesses work towards a common goal which only increases the value of tourism for all.'
About Destination Canada
At Destination Canada, we believe that tourism enhances the wealth and wellbeing of Canadians and enriches the lives of visitors. Our mission is to influence supply and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, alignment with public and private sectors, and marketing Canada nationally and abroad.
Tourism contributes $130B to the Canadian economy. That's more than $350M a day in revenue powered by 265,000 businesses in 5,000 communities coast to coast to coast. Destination Canada's activities convert public dollars into international visitor spending within the same year—creating jobs, GDP, and tax revenues almost immediately. Every dollar invested in DC turns into a demonstrable financial return for Canadian businesses, workers, communities, and governments.
Knowing that diversity is our greatest asset, we promote Canada as a premier four-season leisure and business tourism destination around the country and world in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, our Business Events team uses global insights to target and attract international events aligned with Canada's top economic sectors.
Destination Canada is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada.
www.destinationcanada.com
SOURCE Destination Canada
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Tariffs leading to less selection, higher prices for holiday shopping
With summer in full swing in the United States, retail executives are sweating a different season. It's less than 22 weeks before Christmas, a time when businesses that make and sell consumer goods usually nail down their holiday orders and prices. But President Donald Trump's vacillating trade policies, part of his effort to revive the nation's diminished manufacturing base and to reduce the U.S. deficit in exported goods, have complicated those end-of-year plans. Balsam Hill, which sells artificial trees and other decorations online, expects to publish fewer and thinner holiday catalogs because the featured products keep changing with the tariff — import tax — rates the president sets, postpones and revises. 'The uncertainty has led us to spend all our time trying to rejigger what we're ordering, where we're bringing it in, when it's going to get here,' Mac Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill parent company Balsam Brands, said. 'We don't know which items we're going to have to put in the catalog or not.' Months of confusion over which foreign countries' products may become more expensive to import has left a question mark over the holiday shopping season. U.S. retailers often begin planning for the winter holidays in January and typically finalize the bulk of their orders by the end of June. The seesawing tariffs already have factored into their calculations. The consequences for consumers? Stores may not have the specific gift items customers want come November and December. Some retail suppliers and buyers scaled back their holiday lines rather than risking a hefty tax bill or expensive imports going unsold. Businesses still are setting prices but say shoppers can expect many things to cost more, though by how much depends partly on whether Trump's latest round of 'reciprocal' tariffs kicks in next month. The lack of clarity has been especially disruptive for the U.S. toy industry, which sources nearly 80% of its products from China. American toy makers usually ramp up production in April, a process delayed until late May this year after the president put a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, according to Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of the Toy Association, an industry trade group. The late start to factory work in China means holiday toys are only now arriving at U.S. warehouses, industry experts said. A big unknown is whether tariffs will keep stores from replenishing supplies of any breakout hit toys that emerge in September, said James Zahn, editor-in-chief of the trade publication Toy Book. In the retail world, planning for Christmas in July usually involves mapping out seasonal marketing and promotion strategies. Dean Smith, who co-owns independent toy stores JaZams in Princeton, New Jersey, and Lahaska, Pennsylvania, said he recently spent an hour and a half running through pricing scenarios with a Canadian distributor because the wholesale cost of some products increased by 20%. Increasing his own prices that much might turn off customers, Smith said, so he explored ways to 'maintain a reasonable margin without raising prices beyond what consumers would accept.' He ordered a lower cost Crazy Forts building set so he would have the toy on hand and left out the kids' edition of the Anomia card game because he didn't think customers would pay what he would have to charge. 'In the end, I had to eliminate half of the products that I normally buy,' Smith said. Hilary Key, owner of The Toy Chest in Nashville, Indiana, said she tries to get new games and toys in early most years to see which ones she should stock up on for the winter holidays. This year, she abandoned her product testing for fear any delayed orders would incur high import taxes. Meanwhile, vendors of toys made in China and elsewhere bombarded Key with price increase notices. For example, Schylling, which makes Needoh, Care Bear collectibles and modern versions of nostalgic toys like My Little Pony, increased prices on orders by 20%, according to Key. All the price hikes are subject to change if the tariff situation changes again. Key worries her store won't have as compelling a product assortment as she prides herself on carrying. The retail industry may have to keep taking a whack-a-mole approach to navigating the White House's latest tariff ultimatums and temporary reprieves. Last week, the president again reset the rates on imports from Brazil, the European Union, Mexico, and other major trading partners but said they would not take effect until Aug. 1. The brief pause should extend the window importers have to bring in seasonal merchandise at the current baseline tariff of 10%. The Port of Los Angeles had the busiest June in its 117-year history after companies raced to secure holiday shipments, and July imports look strong so far, according to Gene Seroka, the port's executive director. 'In my view, we're seeing a peak season push right now to bring in goods ahead of potentially higher tariffs later this summer,' Seroka said Monday. Smith, who co-owns the two JaZams stores with his partner, Joanne Farrugia, said they started placing holiday orders two months earlier than usual for 'certain items that we felt were essential for us to have at particular pricing.' They doubled their warehouse space to store the stockpile. But some shoppers are trying to get ahead of higher prices just like businesses are, he said. He's noticed customers snapping up items that will likely be popular during the holidays, like Jellycat plush toys and large stuffed unicorns and dogs. Any sales are welcome, but Smith and Farrugia are wary of having to restock at a higher cost. 'We're just trying to be as friendly as we can to the consumer and still have a product portfolio or profile that is gonna meet the needs of all of our various customers, which is getting more and more challenging by the day,' Smith said. D'Innocenzio and Anderson write for the Associated Press.
Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
Pharma & Research Laboratories in Canada
Canada is recognized as a world leader in pharmaceutical research, development, and innovation. Highly equipped Pharmaceutical Laboratories and a regulatory structure that favours growth give the country a leading edge in medical and biotech advances. If you are a pharmaceutical company, healthcare provider, or a biotech start-up, the potential for partnerships with a reputable Canadian lab is both broad and profound. Pharmaceutical laboratories play a crucial role in developing safe and effective drugs and treatments for patients. These laboratories are key to: Conducting clinical research and trials. Developing new drugs and formulations. Maintaining compliance with quality standards and regulations. Advancing vaccine and biotechnology research. There are numerous reasons the world owes Pharma Laboratories a great debt for the company's significant contributions to public health. They are the unsung heroes of modern medicine, from cancer research to vaccine development. Lab Canada has been expanding at an unprecedented pace in the last few years. With strong government support, significant investment in research and development, and a highly skilled workforce, Canadian labs are making notable strides in pharmaceutical science. Canada is listed as one of the world's leaders in clinical trials, biologics research, and biotech innovation. The Canada lab has some of the best good manufacturing practices (GMP-compliant) and technology in the industry, which is unmatched anywhere. Many of these labs are also ISO-certified, meaning they adhere to international quality standards and maintain a safe testing environment. Most Canadian Pharmaceutical Laboratories Offer services that cater to all aspects of the pharmaceutical development cycle. These include: Analytical Services: Analysis for chemicals, stability testing, and testing of raw materials. Analysis for chemicals, stability testing, and testing of raw materials. Formulation: Dosage formulation including tablets, capsules, AND injectables, etc. Dosage formulation including tablets, capsules, AND injectables, etc. Microbiology Testing: Testing for harmful microorganisms in products. Testing for harmful microorganisms in products. Regulatory Submission: Supply relevant information for regulatory filings. Supply relevant information for regulatory filings. Bioavailability & Bioequivalence Studies: Efficacy of the drug being compared with the standard. From small batch testing to vast pharmaceutical manufacturing, be assured that Canadian Analytical Laboratories is our trusted partner in innovation and dependability. When choosing a laboratory, reliability, compliance, and innovation are non-negotiable. Here are some reasons why getting a Canadian lab is a good business decision: Elite Level Standards: Canadian labs comply with Health Canada & FDA standards. Canadian labs comply with Health Canada & FDA standards. Cutting-edge Technology: These laboratories are equipped with the best-of-breed tools, from AI-powered analytics to robotics automation. These laboratories are equipped with the best-of-breed tools, from AI-powered analytics to robotics automation. Expertise & Talent: With highly educated chemists, biologists, and lab techs, quality is a given. With highly educated chemists, biologists, and lab techs, quality is a given. Nut Data Integrity: Security and accuracy should be maintained in all testing activities. Security and accuracy should be maintained in all testing activities. Teamwork: Easily collaborate with research and manufacturing teams worldwide. Pharma Labs also services more than drug manufacturers. These include: Biotechnology Companies Healthcare Providers Nutraceutical Brands Academic and Research Institutions Veterinary Medicine Providers From diagnostics to commercial production, Laboratories Canada delivers tailored services to different industries. Laboratory needs continue to evolve in response to global health threats. Canada is investing heavily in AI for diagnostics, personalized medicine, and green chemistry. The future of Pharma Laboratories in Canada is bright, sustainable, and innovative. In today's fast-paced world, having the right partner can make all the difference when developing innovative pharmaceutical products. Pharma Laboratories Canada upholds the highest standards of quality, innovation, and compliance among its partnered drug developers and industry professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors. Whether you're introducing a new drug or in the process of testing, having a Canadian laboratory means your project is in reliable hands. When it comes to Research and Development, Canada laboratory represents trust, effectiveness, and innovation. Q1. What are the services provided by Pharma Laboratories in Canada? A: They provide analytical testing, formulation development, microbiology testing, support for clinical trials, and regulatory consulting. Q2. Do Canadian laboratories meet the international standard? A: Yes, most Canadian labs comply with GMP, ISO certifications, and follow FDA and Health Canada regulations. Q3. How Do I Find the Best Canadian Lab for My Project? A: Look at lab accreditation, experience, technology, turnaround times, and customer reviews. Q4. Do foreign pharmaceutical companies support Canadian labs? A: Absolutely, Canadian labs frequently partner with overseas clients and provide comprehensive services, including logistics, documentation, and regulatory applications. Q5. These labs are only for drugs? A: No, they additionally cater to the biotechnology, nutraceuticals, academic research, and veterinary sectors. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Workers ordered to vote on Canada Post's ‘final' contract offer starting Monday
The date has finally been set: 53,000 postal workers will vote on Canada Post's 'final' contract offer starting Monday, following an order from the federal government. But labour experts say it's unlikely the vote will solve the increasingly bitter, long-running dispute, and suggest workers will almost certainly turn the offer down. On Wednesday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board informed the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that online and phone balloting will take place between July 21 and Aug. 1. A spokesperson for Canada Post said a new contract is even more urgently needed because the uncertainty caused by the labour unrest — including a month-long strike last year — is scaring off customers. 'In June, Canada Post saw losses from operations increase to approximately $10 million a day — more than double the daily average losses in June 2024. These record losses are clearly unsustainable, especially if the uncertainty continues,' the spokesperson said in a written statement. The Crown corporation has recorded more than $3.8 billion in losses before tax since 2018. In 2024, it had an operating loss of nearly $1.3 billion. 'Canada Post is proposing critical changes to its delivery model. These changes will help the company grow its parcel business so it can meet the evolving needs of Canadian businesses and Canadians, help protect jobs and preserve a vital national service,' the spokesperson said. In a memo posted on its website Wednesday evening, CUPW slammed both the offer and that the vote was ordered by the government. 'This isn't bargaining — it's a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum, and an attack on our rights,' read the memo, from CUPW national grievance officer Carl Girouard. 'A strong NO vote doesn't just reject these unacceptable offers, it defends our future and the integrity of the bargaining process itself.' It's been more than a month since federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered the CIRB to organize the vote. That time, said U of T labour studies professor Rafael Gomez, has given the union plenty of time to convince its members to vote down the offer. 'I think the employer had the early advantage with the narrative, but this delay has really given the union some momentum when it comes to communicating,' said Gomez, director of U of T's Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. 'These votes usually don't favour the employer, anyway. I think it will be a very clear 'no.' ' In an interview before the voting dates were known, Brock University labour studies professor Larry Savage agreed that the outcome is almost certainly going to be a resounding no. 'These forced votes tend to backfire on employers,' said Savage. 'Because at the end of the day, the workers understand that their union does a better job of looking out for their interests than their employer does — especially an employer who's already committed to a major restructuring.' In a post on X June 12, Hajdu said the public interest would be served by a vote, noting that the dispute had already spanned more than 18 months, 200 meetings and last year's strike. The order came roughly a month after a key report from veteran mediator William Kaplan, who said the Crown corporation was effectively insolvent. Over the last two weeks, the union has been posting frequent updates on its strike website, attacking the offer and criticizing Canada Post. One bulletin posted Monday was titled 'Understanding the offers: Why you shouldn't trust Canada Post.' The post, which reiterated the union's opposition to the deal, suggested members take a closer look. 'Taking a deeper dive into CPC's offers and comparing its summaries to its proposed collective agreement language, you'll find that not everything is quite how Management has made it out to be,' the bulletin said. On May 28, Canada Post made what it called its 'final' contract offer, which includes a 13 per cent wage hike spread over four years, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. Two days later, it asked Hajdu to order a vote on the offer. CUPW members have been in a legal strike position since May 23, but their strike action has thus far been limited to a ban on overtime work. War of words heats up between Canada Post and union as Crown Corp. doubles down on request to In a statement posted Tuesday, the union said it would continue the same OT ban if its members vote the offer down. That, suggested Gomez, could make it tempting for Canada Post to lock workers out if they reject the offer, given the dwindling customers and continuing losses. 'The incentive for a lockout is there for the employer,' said Gomez. The Tuesday bulletin, from CUPW national president Jan Simpson, urged members to give a 'strong' no vote, calling it necessary. 'There is every reason to assume that a strong 'NO' vote will convince CPC to amend its offer and negotiate an agreement with CUPW,' Simpson said. The union has repeatedly criticized the Crown corporation, saying it was trying to avoid a negotiated settlement by asking Hajdu to order a vote, and by insisting any arbitration be based Kaplan's report, which was done as part of an Industrial Inquiry Commission ordered in December by then-labour minister Steven MacKinnon, who said Canada Post was effectively insolvent . Kaplan also said there's an impasse in bargaining, suggested arbitration wouldn't be a good choice to deal with Canada Post's need for restructuring, and said a final offer would be the third option for an end to the dispute. Kaplan's May 15 report suggested the use of community mailboxes, the elimination of home delivery except for parcels, and getting rid of some post office locations and replacing them with franchises. Kaplan also suggested expanding parcel delivery to seven days a week, with the use of part-time and temporary employees.
