The CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. says a vaccine incentive campaign will soon be rolling out for Islanders.
Corryn Clemence said in conversations with Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison, it has been clear that vaccinations will be key to success moving forward.
"We are very excitedly working on a campaign that we will be rolling out here on Prince Edward Island to entice Islanders to get vaccinated as soon as possible," she said.
"We have industry support right across the Island. We have some really great incentives to encourage and really reward islanders for doing that.
Clemence said the details will be released in the coming days.
Concerns from businesses
The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce hopes a speedier vaccination rollout will lead to an earlier reopening of the P.E.I. border. Currently, P.E.I. is not fully reopening to all of Canada until Sept. 12, more than two months after New Brunswick.
The chamber's interim CEO, Nicole Bellefleur, said the chamber sent a letter to King last week, outlining concerns from the business community and asking the province to reconsider its reopening dates to better align with those of the other Atlantic provinces.
"Our members understand that the province's top priority is the health and safety of Islanders, and they certainly agree with that," she said.
"But they are concerned that the plan's timelines are lagging behind those of other Atlantic provinces. And that's putting P.E.I. at a competitive disadvantage this upcoming tourism season."
Bellefleur said businesses would like to know what to expect as soon as possible so they can hire staff and plan accordingly.
"What we're hearing from our members is that they're starting to get a lot of cancellations as a result of seeing that other provinces are opening up sooner," she said.
"And, anecdotally, we're hearing from some people that they're even planning to leave P.E.I. to go to New Brunswick to meet up with family members who are from other parts of Canada — because they'll be able to do that in New Brunswick. Whereas they won't be able to see their family members this summer here on P.E.I. if they're not from Atlantic Canada."
CBC News
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-tourism-vaccinations-1.6065131
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Tourism industry hopes vaccination incentives will speed up P.E.I.'s reopening plan
Monday, June 14, 2021
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Business Truth & Reconciliation
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework. This entails a commitment to meaningful consultation, fostering respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before embarking on economic projects. Moreover, the Chamber advocates for equitable access to employment, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring they reap sustainable benefits from economic development initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
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