The Retail Council is seeking support for its campaign against hidden credit cards fees and proposed increases in credit card and Interac fees. Details are available on
www.stopstickingittous.com. TIAC has created a
2008 Federal Election Advocacy Kit, which explains the issues facing the tourism industry (GST rebate for visitors, taxes on fuel, etc.) and suggesting actions that members of that industry, including retailers, can take in the next few weeks.
It's understandable that retailers, particularly independent retailers, may believe that they have no power to affect change at the federal level and action is futile. But, I ask you to consider these statistics provided on the Retail Council and TIAC sites:
From www.retailcouncil.org:
* Retail Sales will be close to $36 billion in 2008
* There are 227, 200 retail locations in Canada. In fact, retail represents 9.7 percent of all Canadian business establishments.
* Retail represents more than 12 percent of all jobs in every community across the country, offering two million jobs.
* Retail is the third largest industry by number of businesses in the country.
From www.tiac-aitc.ca:
* Spending on tourism commodities by business and leisure travelers amounted to $70.6 billion in 2007.
* Tourism generates as much economic activity as forestry, fishing and agriculture.
* Tourism activity represents 2 percent of Canada's GDP.
* In 2007, tourism supported 654,100 full-time jobs. According to the Labor Force Survey, 1.66 million people or 10.1 percent of the Canadian workforce rely on tourism-related businesses for their livelihood.
* Since 2000, Canada's overall market share of global tourist arrivals has decreased approximately 24 percent, while overall global tourist arrivals to all countries have increased by approximately 24 percent. Therefore, Canada continues to lose market share at a time when more tourists are travelling internationally.
Collectively retail and tourism are big businesses. If all the retailers who agree with the issues and actions proposed in the RCC and TIAC calls to action ask their choices for federal MP to learn about and support these causes, it could well make a huge difference to the futures of the sectors and millions of Canadians. Both organizations have provided simple tools that will allow you to send a message to Ottawa. In addition, nearly all the federal candidates have websites and email addresses. Make like Barack Obama and use the Internet as an agent of change. Let your choice for federal MP know about your concerns and the issues your business is facing. Ask them about credit card reform. Ask them about whether they would vote for a GST rebate for visitors. Ask them where they stand on allowing foreign retailers into the country. Ask them about federal taxes and duties on products. Question them when they come to your door, send an email or use the tools provided by the RCC and TIAC. There is no change without action.
