Québec Declaration

We, Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for tourism recognize that:

• Tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing globally competitive sectors and is an important part of the Canadian economy.
• Northern tourism is an emerging sector which provides unique experiences that should be developed and aggressively promoted.
• Aboriginal tourism plays an important role in the lives of all Canadians.
• Both public and private sectors make important contributions to the development and sustainability of tourism in Canada.
• Tourism is one of Canada’s largest providers of jobs. It creates jobs across the full range of skill levels in urban and rural areas throughout Canada.
• Sustainable tourism contributes to the enhancement and conservation of our natural and cultural heritage, and the quality of life of Canadians.

We, the Ministers responsible for tourism are committed to work together in order to:

• Champion tourism within government jurisdictions and the private sector, and work for the recognition of the economic importance of tourism by governments and other sectors.
• Foster economically, socially, culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism development through integrated timely planning and action plans.

We, the Ministers responsible for tourism are committed to work together with industry to develop:

• A shared vision of tourism in Canada which benefits all Canadians.
• New integrated research approaches that lead to timely action and innovation in product development and marketing initiatives.
• Coordinated actions that take into consideration the specific priorities of provinces, territories and Aboriginal peoples.
• Strong, innovative and harmonized branding strategies for Canada’s tourism experiences.
• A stronger, more effective partnership of Federal-Provincial-Territorial marketing agencies.
• Timely, flexible responsive marketing plans.
• A skilled professional work force.
• Plans, in partnership with industry, which will result in a $75 billion tourism industry by 2010.

In order to achieve these goals, we Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for tourism declare our commitment to:

• Establish a Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers to champion co-ordination and co-operation between federal, provincial and territorial governments and all governmental organizations impacting tourism.
• Finalize a national tourism strategy, to be completed, in close collaboration with major stakeholders, the implementation of which will be respectful of each government’s jurisdiction and all stakeholders.

Signed in Québec City, November 1st 2003