C-19 BULLETIN - August 31, 2020
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Provincial Government Updates
Minister of Labour Statement on Unionized Hotel Sector
Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued a following statement regarding the release of a report reviewing B.C.’s unionized hotel sector as a result of COVID-19.
Minister Bains recognized the good job done by Ms. Banister, the labour lawyer asked to undertake an independent review of layoff and recall rights in B.C.’s unionized hotel sector. Minister Bains received her report last week.
Minister Bains remains committee to supporting hotel workers by getting them back to work or into alternative employment as soon as possible and will be doing this through several ways:
- asking his colleague ministers to ensure that any government economic recovery package, particularly for the tourism and hotel industry, contains a pledge for employers to offer a right of first refusal to existing employees when work resumes
- advocating that access to jobs in the public sector is provided to workers impacted by tourism closures, in positions where their skills are transferrable
- providing a simplified variance application process for employers who needed to extend temporary layoffs beyond the Aug. 30 deadline; this has given employers more time to recover before recalling staff
- providing extra support through access to Section 54 of the Labour Relations Code, or other third-party assistance, to ensure quick solutions at existing bargaining tables where disputes are arising due to recall issues
Government will not be overriding existing collective agreements and the bargaining now under way in the hotel sector, including negotiations involving Unite Here Local 40 and other unions.
Banister’s report is available online:
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Shoreline Clean-Up Funds Create Jobs,
Protect Coastal Waters
On August 18, 2020 a fleet of tourism ships began an unprecedented, six-week expedition to the Great Bear Rainforest’s outer coast as part of the Marine Debris Removal Initiative (MDRI), a project funded by the provincial Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy.
With the blessing from Indigenous leaders in the region, the expedition expects to remove 75 and 100 tons of marine waste, including plastics, from over 1,000 km of coastal beaches along the Great Bear Rainforest. A group of BC small ship tour companies developed this innovative project in response to tourism shutdowns due to COVID-19.
"In these trying and uncertain times, the proposal and initiative from the SSTOA provides a rare opportunity and a good news story,” says Doug Neasloss, Stewardship Director with the Kitasoo-Xai’Xais Nation. “Marine debris is an on-going challenge and a removal initiative of this scale -- to clean up a large, remote coastline -- is an undertaking that will provide significant environmental benefit to Kitasoo/Xai’Xais territory and beyond."
“Members of the SSTOA have pivoted to an innovative and reasonable idea that not only allows them to continue operating and employing skilled workers, but also provides a tremendous benefit to the province by cleaning up enormous amounts of harmful waste along the BC coastline that threatens marine wildlife, humans and the environment,” said TIABC’s CEO Walt Judas.
- This initiative is being funded as part of the province’s COVID-19 stimulus funding and will provide needed work for 100+ crew and guides on nine ships, from five BC ecotourism companies. It will also employ a tug and barge and helicopter. In addition, a related in-shore clean-up done by members of Coastal First Nations communities will employ another 75 people.
- The crews, which include a number of scientists, are also collecting data on the debris they clean up, which they will provide to the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy.
Read the SSTOA media release here
Read the BC Government media release here
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Another Tourism Casualty of COVID-19
Ocean Wise to Temporarily Pause Public Programming at Vancouver Aquarium and Focus on Transformation
In response to one of the most financially challenging times in the Vancouver Aquarium’s 64-year history – including an almost 80% decline in ticket sales and visitor restrictions expected to continue well into next year – Ocean Wise’s Board of Directors has taken the proactive decision to pause public programming at the Vancouver Aquarium and focus on transforming to a new model that is both financially viable in light of the pandemic and also accelerates Ocean Wise’s mission of ocean conservation.
After September 7, and until further notice, all public programming at the Vancouver Aquarium will be paused. During this time, animals at the Aquarium will continue to receive world-class care from a team of 75 specialized staff, including biologists, animal care experts, and on-site veterinary team.
Ocean Wise Conservation Association’s other conservation initiatives – including Ocean Wise Research, Ocean Wise Education, Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Arctic programs, Ocean Wise Seafood, Marine Mammal Rescue, and others – will continue without interruption.
Regrettably, the pause in public programming at the Vancouver Aquarium will result in the loss of 209 full-time, part-time and casual positions, primarily among operational staff at the Aquarium.
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BC's Tourism Industry Prepares for the End of Summer and an Unknown Fall and Winter Season
Tourism Drop Takes Toll on Vancouver Island’s Southwest Coast
“I don’t expect anything much [going into September and October],” said Pudwell, owner of Sooke Whale Watching for the past 10 years. “I’ve written off this year. Luckily, we have a chance of surviving while others might not.”
Tourism-based Businesses in Parksville Qualicum Beach Still Concerned About Future
Business is better for the tourism sector of Parksville Qualicum Beach than it was in the early months of the pandemic. But people in the business say there’s still cause for concern.
Patrick Jiggins, business owner and chair of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association, said many businesses have bounced back since the onset of COVID-19, but the initial effects are still being felt.
Despite Uptick in Regional Visits, Clearwater Still Misses European Visitors During Tourism Season
Clearwater is known as the “Gateway to Wells Gray Park” and enjoys a significant economic benefit from the thousands of tourists who visit that natural wonder every year. 2020 has been a year like no other, and with fewer tourists visiting the province from outside of Canada, the North Thompson community is feeling the effects of that downturn.
Kootenay Ski Resort Operators Gear Up For Uncertainty During This Winter's Season
British Columbia's famed ski resorts and lodges are taking a close look at how summer tourist operators are faring as they prepare their own pandemic survival strategies for the upcoming winter season.
From closed borders to measures to prevent the spread of the virus, the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic will alter how ski operations run this season.
Andrew Kyle, owner of Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson says they will re-open — with more physical distancing and mask protocols in place in indoor spaces.
BC 2.0.: Tourism Came to a Crashing Halt Thanks to COVID-19. Is There Opportunity in the Rubble?
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has struck tourism businesses around the world especially hard, it might be years before BC gets back to those 2019 numbers.
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Royal BC Museum Acquires IMAX Victoria Theatre
As part of long-term planning to modernize the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) precinct, the RBCM has exercised an option to purchase the IMAX Victoria theatre.
The Royal BC Museum has purchased the IMAX Victoria from Destination Cinema Inc. for approximately $3.8 million, funded through a government grant. The Royal BC Museum will continue to show documentary features as well as Hollywood feature films, and the experience will remain unchanged. The current staff will be transitioning to the Museum; becoming their new employer.
By bringing the IMAX Victoria under RBCM control, the potential re-development process won’t be impacted by a private lease agreement down the road. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and RBCM are developing a redevelopment business case for government’s decision for future museum facilities.
The IMAX Victoria theatre has operated within the Museum since June 1998. Each year approximately 356,000 people enjoy movies in the theatre. Now that the province is in Phase 3 of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the IMAX Victoria is open with enhanced safety measures including a maximum capacity of 50 visitors.
Learn More:
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Opening a Business During a Pandemic
Operating during the COVID-19 crisis has been an unprecedented challenge for every tourism business, but opening a new business for the first time during a global pandemic takes it to another level. Such was the case for Bespoke Spirits House in Parksville who was scheduled to open in April 2020.
“I didn’t have COVID-19 built into my business plan,” said Shelly Heppner, owner and distiller. “I had to completely re-think my opening and delayed to May 1st.” To add to the challenge, Shelly is a sole entrepreneur and one of a handful of female distillers in British Columbia. “Distilling as just one person is challenging,” she adds.
Bespoke was a perfect candidate for the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program. As the program is designed to provide one-on-one support to tourism businesses, Heppner was paired with a dedicated Program Advisor who worked with her on a personal level to understand her needs and provide the appropriate support.
One of the biggest challenges Bespoke has faced is the disappearance of key distribution channels. Heppner was counting on selling through farmers’ markets, but the number of vendors allowed has been reduced so this hasn’t been possible. This also impacts building brand awareness.
Bespoke has relied on word of mouth and social media thus far and has been able to cross-promote with Mount Arrowsmith Brewing. “It’s a natural fit,” said Heppner. “We are not only in the same industry, but in the same plaza. It just makes sense to promote each other and we will eventually create a collaborative product together.”
Bespoke Spirits House has managed to jump through a number of hoops to open. Heppner appreciates customers who have been supporting local businesses but needs to build recognition (and sales) with locals and tourists alike. She concludes, “I feel if I can open a business during a pandemic, I can do anything!”
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TIABC and the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) will be hosting a webinar and open forum to outline the key issues and provide a reality check on the tourism and hospitality industry, our key messages, and ways we can coordinate and work together towards recovery.
Wednesday September 2nd @ 1:00pm-2:00pm (PT)
The webinar will be 45 minutes in duration, with a 15 minute Q&A to follow.
Please complete the registration form and a Zoom link will be sent to you with meeting details the day prior to the webinar.
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Small Business BC Webinar
During COVID-19, business owners have been looking at different ways to cut costs and become more efficient. What if it was possible to achieve this goal while helping to reduce transmission of COVID-19 at the same time?
Delivered by Sam Thomas, Principal and Kootenay Branch Manager of Prism Engineering, and Tiago Pereira, Energy Solutions Manager at FortisBC, attendees will learn practical steps for making the workplace safer, while also saving money in our “new normal.” We’ll also be covering tips for making your space cost-effective, COVID relief incentives for small biz and plumbing/environmental controls.
What Will I Learn?
Best practices in HVAC and safety during COVID-19 reopening
How to develop a pandemic response plan
Steps to prepare your business for a potential second wave
Identifying opportunities for increased energy efficiency in your business
Available rebates and energy saving resources from Fortis BC
Wednesday September 2nd @ 10:00am (PT)
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October 2
October 7
(call for Board Nominations open until September 11th)
October 26-27
September 21-25
November 17-18
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****NOTE: TIABC's C-19 Bulletin is now published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.
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