TIAO calls for letter writing campaign to oppose early return to school

Bill Allen from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has indicated that the Minister of Education is not convinced that having kids return to school one week early will be detrimental to the tourism businesses in Ontario. TIAO has called for a letter writing campaign to the Minister to demonstrate the seriousness of this issue. Here is the

"Unless there is a very compelling reason against the early start, the requests will likely be approved. The Minister is aware of the industry concerns but has not seen a groundswell oF support."

Here is what was sent from TIAO - send your own letter to demonstrate this impact on YOUR business.

March 5, 2009

Hon Kathleen Wynne
Minister of Education
Mowat Block22nd Flr.900 Bay St.Toronto, ON
M7A 1L2

Dear Minister,

I am writing on behalf of the Ontario tourism industry to express serious concern with the decision by many of the province’s school boards to begin the 2009-10 school year one week earlier than the normal post Labour Day opening. There are two significant impacts this policy change will have on individual tourism businesses.

First, tourism is the one industry that employs the largest number of summer students. Most tourism operators rely on these students to remain in their employ until after the Labour Day long weekend. With school beginning a week earlier, businesses will have to scramble to find staff for the one week period to cover until after Labour Day. Traditionally business drops off after Labour Day with the resulting staffing reduction.Second and a more significant concern is the economic impact that will occur because families who traditionally vacation in the last week of the summer and/or over Labour Day weekend may not reschedule. We already have reports from resorts, attractions and summer camps of cancellations occurring due to the anticipated early start to the school year. The tourism businesses are concerned that the shorter summer season for a significant number of Ontarians will negatively impact their business in a year that is shaping up to be an extremely challenging one.

Minister, we ask you to consider the impact the earlier school year start will have on the Ontario tourism industry before you approve the School Boards’ requests. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

W.R. (Bill) Allen
President
c. Minister Monique Smith