HAC supports our troops

TORONTO-General Rick Hillier might seem an unusual choice as keynote speaker at the annual Hotel Association of Canada awards dinner and gala. But the choice of the sometimes controversial and always motivational General made sense this year in light of the announcement of a special program late last month.

The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), in conjunction with the Department of National Defence, has developed a program to support Canada’s regular and reserve forces members and their families, and has opened up program participation to all lodging establishments in Canada.

Working closely with Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier, the program will be delivered through the CANEX Discount Program (CDP).

HAC president Tony Pollard is suggesting offering forces members and families a 10 per cent discount below the government rate on hotel rooms, but the choice is up to each individual establishment.

Hotels can tailor offerings to suit their particular needs, including any restrictions or blackout periods, and for leisure travel only. National Defence and CANEX will publicize these offers on their websites, base newspapers and in promotional blitzes around the country.

When making bookings the Canadian Forces will request the "Support our Troops" leisure travel rate and will present their military identification upon checking in. HAC anticipates this offer remaining in place for a year but it could be extended for longer.

The numbers are worth noting: Regular Force military personnel (approximately 65,000), Reserve Force military personnel (approximately 25,000), Department of National Defence Public Service employees (approximately 20,000), and Non-Public Fund employees (approximately 5,000), members of the RCMP (approximately 23,000), and retired military personnel (approximately 400,000).

Hotels may offer discounts to all authorized patrons or to specific target groups (e.g. regular and reserve forces only).

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