The Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, today announced the Provincial Government will participate in the GST/HST Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program.

Announced in the 2007 federal budget, the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program is a more focused effective and accountable replacement for the former Visitors� Rebate Program. Effective April 1, 2007, this program provides HST relief in respect of certain property and services used in the course of conventions held in Canada and the accommodation portion of tour packages for non-residents.

Minister Marshall said the province is pleased to join in this program and contribute an eight per cent HST rebate to sponsors and organizers of foreign convention and tour packages.

"We are pleased the Federal Government has implemented a program following the elimination of the Visitors� Rebate Program and confident this new program will provide benefits to our thriving tourism industry," said Minister Marshall. "This incentive program complements our efforts to encourage foreign conventions and tours to Newfoundland and Labrador. The Williams Government will take every opportunity to promote our province and will continue to invest in our tourism industry."

For more information on the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program, please contact //www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/qa-e.html.

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Media contact:
Bill Hickey
Director of Communications
Department of Finance
709-729-6830, 691-6390
billyhickey@gov.nl.ca　

2007 04 26                                           10:50 a.m.