C-19 BULLETIN -
June 18, 2020
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Labour Minister Rejects Further Extension to Temporary Layoff Timeframe
TIABC was among a dozen signatories on a recent letter to Labour Minister Harry Bains once again asking government to extend the temporary layoff provision for at least a further 13-week period through to August 31st. The business coalition also urged government to ensure that the temporary layoff period runs the full duration of the Province's COVID-19 emergency orders, plus an additional six weeks beyond their expiry.
For many hard-hit tourism and hospitality employers that cannot fully re-open for the foreseeable future, the obligation to terminate and provide severance to temporarily laid-off employees at the conclusion of the impending 16 week timeframe will lead to bankruptcy and/or insolvency. What's more, businesses will then need to go through a costly and time-consuming process to rehire most of their terminated employees when the recovery period is substantially underway.
In a letter received today by the business coalition, Minister Bains reiterated that there are
no plans for a further extension to the temporary lay-off time limit.
However, TIABC and its business coalition colleagues will continue to press for an extension, given the serious implications on tourism and hospitality employers and other sectors should the status quo remain. Further details on next steps will be announced in a future C-19 Bulletin.
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Province Provides Grants
to Support People, Rural Economies
The provincial government is providing nearly $14 million in grants for over 150 projects to support economic development and recreational opportunities for British Columbians in rural communities throughout the province.
The grants include approximately $5 million for 39 trail and recreation projects, and almost $9 million for 114 projects that support rural community development. Projects selected for these one-time grants were chosen from the following three categories:
- First Nations;
- municipalities; and
- not-for-profit organizations.
The District of Tumbler Ridge is among the recipients that received a grant for trail and recreation projects. The district will use $500,000 to build a series of world-class mountain biking trails, ranging from beginner-level trails to provide skill-building potential and fun for all ages, to more-challenging cross-country and downhill trails.
Learn more at:
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
and National Indigenous History Month
The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia invites its members and stakeholders to celebrate, honour and recognize
National Indigenous Peoples Day
and
National Indigenous History Month
. National Indigenous Peoples Day is Sunday, June 21st, a date chosen to coincide with the summer solstice, the beginning of berry picking season, fishing season, powwows and gatherings for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This day is for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
National Indigenous History Month, (June 1 - 30), is a time to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the cultures and contributions made by Indigenous Peoples in Canada and reflect on the historic and ongoing challenges for Indigenous communities. This month is a time for learning about, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada and recognizing the strength of present-day Indigenous communities.
Learn more at:
Indigenous Tourism:
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Parks, Camping and Tourism Protocols Released
WorkSafeBC has released protocols for those responsible for health and safety at BC
parks and campgrounds
, as well as employers who provide
tours
and
outdoor recreation activities such as kayaking, rafting, heli-skiing, and whale watching
.
Learn more at:
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On the Road Again, Sort of...
Typically TIABC is on the road attending meetings with industry stakeholders and participating in events. Due to COVID-19, our pace has not slowed down, but has simply gone online. Below are a few examples of some recent virtual meetings/events that we have participated in.
Feel free to reach out to us with opportunities for TIABC to connect with industry partners.
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TIABC co-hosted an aviation sector webinar with the BC Aviation Council and the BC Economic Development Association
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TIABC participated in a Digital Town Hall hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade
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TIABC participated in an industry session hosted by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, along with Tourism Vancouver Island
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COVID-19 Tourism Workforce Impact Survey
Tourism HR Canada appreciates that tourism businesses have been asked to fill out many survey forms and provide various types of information. However, this research will assist in making policy and program recommendations specific to workforce needs during and post COVID-19.
Your feedback will help to:
- Determine how deeply the workforce has been affected by COVID-19
- Assess the effect of government programs like the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RFFF) in mitigating the effects of COVID-19
- Identify the capacity of tourism businesses to reopen, rehire, and recover as restrictions are lifted
- Identify the extent to which tourism businesses understand the protocols and policies they are being asked to implement in order to reopen
- Augment other research and data collected through various means including new data from Statistics Canada.
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Fortify Conference Goes Virtual
The Fortify Conference 2020 is going virtual this year. The third annual conference for those in the business of fermenting and distilling is scheduled for November with online sessions and a trade show.
While Fortify is scheduled for November 24th, an extra day may be added along with pre-conference webinars this summer on specific topics such as best practices for COVID-19 regulations and health and safety.
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TIABC's national counterparts, TIAC have launched a Tourism Recovery campaign seeking government support so Canada has a tourism industry post-pandemic. The work doesn’t stop there. We all need to step-up and convince the government to act, send your MP a letter today
:
www.tourismcounts.ca
#TourismCounts
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No one's an island, no island's resilient alone.
Together we can make a comeback.
The Island COMEBACK campaign is a Pandemic Economic Response and Recovery program that's free to join. The initiative will generate immediate funds for both rural island businesses and community organizations. By building a long-term platform for gift certificate purchases and donations, it also builds long-term resilience.
Organizers are calling on islanders and friends from the global community to support British Columbia's rural island farms, businesses, artisans, and services impacted by COVID-19. By purchasing an Island COMEBACK gift certificate, or by making a donation, you become a resilient regenerator, helping rural islands to survive and ensuring we “keep the island vibe alive.”
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Destination BC Webinars
Destination BC is hosting a series of webinars to support BC’s tourism industry in areas of response, recovery, and resilience from COVID-19.
The
Road to Recovery
webinar series has reached over 1,700 participants since launching on May 12th.
- June 18: Adapting Customer Service & Guest Communication in a Pandemic Impacted Business Environment | Register here
- June 23: Facebook + Instagram for Travel: Building a Strong Foundation | Register here
- June 25: Returning to Work: Protecting Mental Health | Register here
- July 7: Revisiting your COVID-19 Safety Plan | Register here
Watch recordings of previous webinars:
- May 12: Business After Re-opening: A Look at the Post-closure Traveller | View recording here
- May 14: Essential Strategies to Innovate your Visitor Experience and Offerings | View recording here
- May 19: Planning for Doors Open | View recording here
- May 21: Managing Expectations and Reputation through Effective Communication | View recording here
- May 26: Using Social Media to Support Re-opening | View recording here
- May 28: Building a Digital Marketing Strategy for Re-opening | View recording here
- June 4: ExploreBC… Virtually | View recording here
- June 9: Restart Safely: Health & Safety Essentials to Support Re-opening | View recording here
- June 11: Work Refusal & Other HR Challenges Amid the Restart | View recording here
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Small Business BC Webinar
British Columbia has begun the careful and thoughtful process of reopening under our Provincial Restart Plan. As businesses consider their plan for safe operation, a key question must be answered: How can you demonstrate to customers it is now safe for them to come back and do business with you?
Friday June 19, 2020 at 11:00am (PT)
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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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