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If you can bear to hear it one more time, here’s more evidence that Canada’s weaker dollar doesn’t always translate to doom and gloom for the Canadian economy. Economic segments that are sensitive to exchange rates as well as some service sectors are performing “better than average,” according to Lynn Patterson, Deputy Governor for the Bank of Canada.

“Tourism is surging: the number of foreigners travelling to Canada jumped 11 per cent in January compared with the same month last year,” said Patterson in a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

And if the new federal budget presented earlier in the week is any indication, federal officials are looking to continue to reap the benefits of Canada’s increasing visitor numbers.

The 2016 budget, presented by Federal Minister of Finance, the Honourable Bill Morneau, proposes significant investments in the tourism industry.

“Canada’s tourism sector is an integral part of the economy, supporting over 627,000 jobs in rural areas, small towns and big cities in every region,” said Morneau in his budget speech.

The budget, which includes nearly C$ 600 billion in tourism-related line items, has agencies across country cheering. In particular, execs are hailing a proposed $50 million allocation to fund Destination Canada’s international tourism marketing programs for the next two years.

“These announcements go a long way to improve Canada’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination,” said Charlotte Bell, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). “Investments in marketing, transportation, attractions and infrastructure will help attract international travellers to Canada and improve the visitor experience.”

The Hotel Association of Canada is also encouraged by the budget.

“The Hotel Association of Canada is delighted that the government of Canada has responded very positively to our association advocacy,” said Tony Pollard, President of the Hotel Association of Canada. “In words seldom heard in Ottawa we say ‘Thank you.’”

Regional tourism agencies are also welcoming the proposed increased funding which could help stimulate the growth of new tourism dollars throughout the nation, and not just in Canada’s busiest visitor markets.

“These investments will go a long way to showcase Canada and Atlantic Canada as a premier destination,” stated Kevin Mouflier, CEO of Tourism Industry of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI).

Atlantic Canada should also benefit from a $51.9 million allocation to support continued operation of ferry services throughout the region.

National Parks in Canada will benefit from an allocation of some $140 million—$83.3 million towards free admission for all national park visitors during Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations in 2017, $42.4 million towards developing new national parks and national marine conservation areas and $16.6 million towards expanding the Learn to Camp program, which encourages eco-tourism and indigenous story telling.

"We are pleased to see the investments in both our tourism industry and national parks, as RVing and camping play vital roles in Canada's tourism sector," said Eleonore Hamm, President of the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada. According to the RVDA, the Canadian RV industry contributes $14.5 billion towards the Canadian economy every year. 

While the budget was applauded by many, some feel more could have been done. Restaurants Canada, which was “pleased to see enhancements in the areas of youth employment, tourism, and immigration" was also disappointed that “the government is breaking its election promise to reduce the small business tax rate to 9 per cent by 2019.” The tax rate will decrease to 10.5 per cent this year, down from 11 per cent, but future cuts have not been addressed.

Overall the budget includes $569 million travel and tourism-related initiatives, including:

$40 million over two years to renew Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development program delivered;

$42.4 million to continue developing new national parks and national marine conservation areas, including the Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area, Nunavut and Thaidene Nene National Park, Northwest Territories;

$83.3 million, to provide free admission for all visitors to national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites operated by Parks Canada in 2017, and to provide free admission for all children 18 years of age and younger, starting in 2018;

$16.6 million for three years to expand the Learn to Camp programming that encourages Indigenous story-telling and eco-tourism opportunities;

$85.9 million to improve and expand the Trans-Canada Highway through Yoho National Park in British Columbia;

$21.6 million to pave highways through Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories;

$65.9 million for a new biking and walking trail in Jasper National Park in Alberta;

$17.7 million to build a new biking and walking trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in British Columbia;

$3.3 million for an in-depth assessment of VIA Rail’s high-frequency rail proposal;

$34 million to for improvements at VIA Rail stations and maintenance centres;

$51.9 million towards the continued operation of ferry services in Atlantic Canada;

$22 million to Marine Atlantic Inc. to install a new mooring system for its ferries operating between Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, and North Sydney, Nova Scotia;

$10 million towards hosting the 2017 Invictus Games for ill and injured veterans in Toronto;

$25.3 million to support five recreational facilities in Nunavut, including a cultural centre in Cape Dorset, repairs for the Cambridge Bay Arena and the Iqaluit Aquatic Centre.

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