In Today's Update
- Lockdown update coming next week
- Minister MacLeod to host Multi-Sector Webinar - Monday, Feb 8th
- The Standard provides relief to their customers
- HASCAP applicatios now open
- 2021 Federal and Provincial Budget consultations
- Destination Ontario - Free Tourism-Focused Webinar - Feb 12th
- Reminder: NOTO Early Bird Pricing now available
- In Memoriam
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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Update on lockdown measures expected next week
Unfortunately, Premier Ford has not announced whether or not the lockdown, state of emergency and stay-at-home order will be extended. All of these orders are set to expire on February 9th. It is expected that the Premier will make the announcement later next week.
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Minister MacLeod's Multi-Sector Webinar
Monday, February 8, 2021 - 2 PM
Join Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries for a Zoom webinar to discuss the government’s response to COVID-19 as we approach the end of the province-wide lockdown.
A briefing on regulatory changes and their impacts on our sectors will be presented by MHSTCI Assistant Deputy Ministers Steve Harlow and Kevin Finnerty.
Zoom details will be provided electronically following the close of registration.
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Incoming Rebate for Resort Owners – 20% of Insurance Premium
The Tourism Industry is one of the sectors of our economy most negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. With the continued border closure and timing of the vaccine distribution, we are concerned about the 2021 season.
The Standard Insurance has been active in the Tourism sector for over 30 years as a primary provider of insurance. We have come to know many of our clients and their families personally.
Last year, The Standard implemented a financial relief strategy of 0% Rate Increase, 0% Inflationary Increase, and 0% Premium Financing. In addition, we were proud to partner with Intact (Novex) Insurance to offer a 25% liability rebate for eligible resort owners. We also lobbied and continue to lobby our Ministers of Government to recognize the Tourism Industry as the most vulnerable sector.
Recognizing the ongoing effects of the pandemic, Novex Insurance has announced further relief measures for resort owners. Novex recognizes that resorts across our region have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be sending eligible resort customers a cheque equivalent to 20% of their annual premium (subject to max relief cheque of $4000). Those eligible will be getting a cheque mailed to them directly by Novex Insurance. We are certainly proud to be partners with Novex, who shares our commitment to helping our customers continue to weather this crisis.
We also want to tell you about some efforts being made get greater support from the federal government for resort owners.
Tony Baldinelli, Conservative MP and Special Advisor to the Leader on Tourism Recovery sponsored an electronic petition that calls upon the federal government to present a tourism recovery plan on or before the 2021 federal budget.
The petition calls upon the Government of Canada to:
- Present a sector-specific tourism recovery plan on or before the date of the 2021 Federal Budget
- Ensure this tourism recovery plan addresses the specific needs of the many travel and tourism sectors across Canada
- Ensure this tourism recovery plan supports the urgent and complete development, implementation, and deployment of Health Canada approved vaccines and rapid testing devices
- Ensure this tourism recovery plan included sector-specific health guidelines, which enable sectors to resume work operations in a safe and responsible manner
- Use this tourism recovery plan as a tool to begin restoring public confidence in travel and tourism
Please join us in signing the petition for a tourism recovery plan. The deadline to sign this
e-petition is coming up soon on February 7, 2021, at 4 pm Central Standard Time.
We will continue to advocate for all levels of government to step up and provide more meaningful support for tourism as it is critical to our economy.
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HASCAP Applications Now Open!
The Federal Government has finally announced the opening of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). This program is now available through your financial institutions. This program will provide government-backed loans ranging from $25,000 to $1 million to be used for operational cashflow. Interest rate is 4% and payback terms can be up to 10 years. The application will remain open until June 30th, 2021.
To be eligible to apply to the HASCAP program, you must confirm one of the following with your financial institution:
- If your business has received the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) or the Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) when you apply, make sure you have your Canada Revenue Agency attestation forms demonstrating a minimum 50% revenue decline, for at least 3 months, within the 8-months before the date of your HASCAP Guarantee applications. Your financial institution will require this information to process your request.
- If your business did not receive CEWS or CERS and is eligible for it, you must apply for CEWS and/or CERS. Your financial institution will require this information to process your request.
- If your business does not qualify for CEWS and CERS you must provide financial statements that reflect at least three months (which do not need to be consecutive) of monthly year-over-year revenue decrease of a minimum of 50% per month, within the 8-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application. Your financial institution will require this information to process your request.
Note: One of our members just informed us they were told by their financial institution that the HASCAP is a closed loan and that there are penalties for early repayment. In addition there is no ability to arrange a seasonal payment schedule. We understand that this may be a deterrent for some businesses and we will see if we are able to either get clarity or changes.
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Opportunities to Submit Comments for the 2021 Budgets
Ontario's 2021 Budget Public Consultations
The government is asking the people of Ontario for their ideas on how to continue to support families, workers and business during COVID-19, while positioning the province for a strong economic recovery. Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board, Peter Bethlenfalvy, is encouraging people to share their insights and opinions, online, by email or mail, or through a series of virtual consultations across the province.
The 2021 Budget Consultations will close on February 12, 2021. The 2021 Budget will be delivered by March 31, 2021.
Canada's 2021 Budget Public Consultations
The Federal government is also asking Canadians for their ideas on how to continue to support families and businesses during COVID-19, while thinking about rebuilding the Canadian economy post-pandemic.
The 2021 Budget Consultations will close February 19th, 2021.
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Free Tourism-Focused Webinar: Get Selling Online
Destination Ontario is teaming up with Digital Main Street and Google to offer a free tourism-focused webinar to get selling online Friday, February 12, 2021 at 10:00am (EST).
Register here to participate:
Ontario's tourism economy has been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 shutdowns. To help tourism operators, these organizations have teamed up to provide free online store builds and marketing training for small businesses to help reach new customers online.
This webinar will focus on how small businesses can learn about and participate in the ShopHERE Powered by Google Program to build a new online store or improve existing websites to support ecommerce. Take advantage of one-on-one support to be more effective in selling your product or service in a digital environment!
Eligibility: Tourism business registered in Ontario with fewer than 10 full-time employees (25 if a restaurant).
Join expert Emileah Baumen to learn how to get an online store for your business – with free supports:
- One-on-one coaching to help build and launch your online store
- Training on how to manage it (including inventory management, shipping, fulfillment, and more)
- Support to get your online store live
- Help with marketing on channels like Google, Facebook, and Instagram.
Emileah leads the ShopHERE Powered by Google program at Digital Main Street, with a mission to help as many small businesses get setting online as possible. She has years of marketing and sales experience and her work has always centered on empowering leaders and their teams to differentiate themselves and drive measurable results.
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Early Bird Pricing Now Available!
Join now or renew your membership to save and be entered for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize!
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Entry Level: $452.00
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Bronze:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Silver:
$734.50 NOW: $706.25
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Basic:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Bronze:
$779.70 NOW: $734.50
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Silver:
$1,367.30 NOW: $1,299.50
Prices listed above include HST. To renew your membership or to join NOTO, please click on the appropriate category link above to access the membership form. Completed forms can be printed and mailed to the NOTO office, or scanned and emailed to kate@noto.net or laurie@noto.net.
Thank you so much for your support!
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In Memoriam
We are saddened to share with you that we have lost two more of our tourism family members recently. Our sincere sympathies go out to their family and friends. Both Roy and Fern made generous contributions to the growth of the resource-based tourism industry.
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Roy Bennett - Roy and his wife June owned Kenda Wilderness Lodge and Kenda Air in Gogama for over thirty years. They were very dedicated members of NOTO and strong champions for outdoor tourism. Roy served on the NOTO Board of Governors for many years. His big character and antics were a highlight of NOTO Conventions for many years. Everyone who knew him has a Roy Bennet story that brings a smile to their face. We will always cherish those memories.
Staff and Board members have spoke with his wife June and she is doing well and wished us to say hello to anyone who might remember her. To see Roy's Obituary click HERE. |
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Fran Bowen - Fran had owned and operated Long Point Lodge in Elk Lake with his wife Rose along with his son Gord and his wife Lise. Over his 50 years in the outdoor tourism industry, Fran contributed considerable time and efforts in ensuring that the tourism industry had strong representation. He was a NOTO Governor for the Elk Lake region, he sat on the James Bay Frontier Travel Association Board, and sate for a time on the Ontario Moose and Bear Allocation Advisory Committee. His efforts have been important to the advancement of the resource-based tourism industry and we will always be grateful.
Our hearts go out to Rose, Gord and Lise and the rest of their family and friends.
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NOTO's COVID-19 Page
This page was created to keep you informed on the latest developments that may impact/help your businesses. This page features links to our COVID-19 newsletters, Government resources, information that may be useful to tourism operators and links to supports for tourism operators as they become available. This page will be updated regularly during this pandemic.
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Federal & Provincial Government Information
The Ontario and Federal Governments are regularly updating COVID-19 information, travel information, Minister statements, Government initiatives and statistics on their websites. For additional information from the Ontario or Federal Government, please click on the buttons below.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We do not receive Government funding for operating and rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca
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