ADVOCACY

Hotels Canada Submission on the Regulatory Approach Under Bill C-35, An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour

The Government of Canada invited stakeholders to provide input on the development of the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan through a public consultation process. As the national voice of Canada’s hotel industry, Hotels Canada participated in the consultation to share the sector’s perspectives on immigration policy and its importance to addressing persistent workforce challenges. The consultation was conducted through an online questionnaire. To support transparency and provide stakeholders with access to our recommendations, Hotels Canada is publishing our submission below in the format in which it was provided to the Government of Canada.

Hotels Canada’s 2026 Pre-Budget Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance outlines recommendations to strengthen hotel investment, support tourism growth, expand housing opportunities, and build a more sustainable hospitality workforce.

The 2026 Spring Workforce Report explores the workforce pressures affecting Canada’s hotel industry, including shortages and the impacts of immigration and policy changes. Drawing on feedback from hotels across the country, the report highlights regional workforce realities, operational impacts, and emerging trends shaping the industry in early 2026.

This brief seeks to highlight the importance of private partnerships in the establishment of Build Canada Homes (BCH). Hotels Canada supports Build Canada Homesʼ objective to attract private capital to build the homes that Canadians need. To maximize impact, BCH should expand its partnership beyond traditional housing developers and actively engage other developers, such as hoteliers, who are well positioned to contribute to affordable and market-rate housing supply. In establishing this new agency, BCH should also revisit elements of its foundational framework that limit private sector participation.

A comprehensive analysis of workforce trends across Canada’s hotel sector, combining national data, industry insights, and policy context to support planning and inform decision-making.

On March 13, Minister Hajdu announced new measures to support rural employers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This Q&A outlines the key details of the new measures.

Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) as part of its study on Canada’s Underlying Productivity Gaps and Capital Outflow.

Submission to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) as part of its consultations for a Rural Development Action Plan.

Submission to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) as part of its national engagement on Youth in the Labour Market.

Input to the Red Tape Reduction Office for its Horizontal Red Tape Reviews.

Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) for its study on the impacts of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) on the labour market.

Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) for its study on Youth Employment in Canada.

Canada’s hotel sector has the potential to be one of our most powerful economic engines, but it’s stuck in neutral.

International tourism markets matter more than ever.

Workforce Shortages Cap the Industry’s Growth Potential .

Hotels Canada has endorsed the Reimagining Immigration policy paper, which outlines the Canadian International Workforce Program (CIWP)—a proposed immigration plan to address labour shortages in lower-skilled jobs. The CIWP would offer both temporary and permanent pathways, ensure worker protections, and support access to permanent residency. Led by the federal Commissioner for Employers, the paper is backed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, tourism associations, and widely supported across the hotel sector.

This report analyzes short-term rentals (STRs) in the province of Ontario, and applies the results of a new Canada-wide study of the impact of STR activity on rents to Ontario communities. It estimates the amount of rent increases in Ontario caused by STRs, demonstrates the effectiveness of principal-residence requirements at driving down rents, and lays out a set of STR regulatory principles for Ontario, based on Canadian best practices.

This report analyzes short-term rentals (STR) regulation in the province of British Columbia, and applies the results of a new Canada-wide study of the impact of STR regulations on rents to BC communities. It calculates the amount of rent decreases in BC attributable to municipal STR principal residence restrictions, caused by STRs, estimates the likely impact of the Province’s new STR rules on rents, and provides early evidence about host compliance with the new rules.

Canada’s hotel industry is a significant economic contributor, generating $22 billion in economic activity and employing over 148,000 people. The sector consists of 45% brand management companies and 55% independent hotels, with small businesses making up 75%. It supports various industries and offers meaningful employment, with advanced skills development and growth opportunities, particularly for Indigenous people, new Canadians, and women.

A national survey conducted by Nanos reveals that the majority of Canadians believe short-term rentals have negative impacts on and support limiting commercial short-term rentals.

In 2024, 84 percent of members reported being the victim of booking fraud where guests book weeks-long stays, often with fake credit cards, but cancel at the last minute. These fraudulent bookings have resulted in foregone revenue losses of around with $462 million to $603 million this year alone.

Check out this infographic for 12 ways to invest in employee development at your hotel.

More than half of Canada’s workforce are Millennials or Gen Z. Learn what’s important to them.

This infographic illustrates the and explains the five phases of the talent lifecycle.

Check out HAC Workforce Growth Strategy Quick Start Guide for 12 easy and inexpensive tips to attract and keep hotel talent.

The Hotel Association of Canada Hotel Workforce Action Plan provides an overview of the key pressures faced by the sector as well as recommendations to address the industry’s workforce challenges at every phase of the talent lifecycle (Attraction, Recruitment, Retention, Development, & Separation).