In Today's Update
- Update on NOTO's Lobbying Efforts
- Northern Ontario Border Working Group Update
- Federal Government Imposes Further Travel Restrictions and Requirements
- Ontario's Plan to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 Variants
- Clarification on When the Lockdown & Stay-at-Home Order End
- Minister MacLeod's Small Business Webinars - Register to Attend
- HASCAP Program
- Opportunities to Submit Comments for the 2021 Ontario and Federal Government Budgets
- Virtual Quebec Sportshow
- Vaccine Shipment Delays
- MECP Public Consultation: Proposed Changes to Fire Management Policy
- Manitoba Introduces 14-day Quarantine for Interprovincial Travellers
- Early Bird Membership Pricing Available
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 NOTO's Lobbying Efforts
Laurie Marcil, Executive Director
This week I joined TIAO's tourism delegation made up of my colleagues in the other sector organizations at the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association annual conference (virtually). We had the opportunity to meet with 10 Ministers and senior level staff from 14 different Ministries, the Attorney General, the NDP Caucus and the leader of the Green Party. This event is like "speed dating", you have a set time of anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes with Government officials to bring a specific list of asks directly to them.
Our messages were very clear, the tourism industry has been forgotten and needs the Provincial Government for financial support in order to survive another year of uncertainty. Particularly on the Ontario Small Business Support Grant we asked for all Cabinet Ministers to support modifying the program eligibility requirements to include accommodators and to allow flexibility in the comparative revenue month as April is generally not a revenue generating month in any sector. We are optimistic that we will see changes to this program in the near future.
I sought support for crown resource fees for our sector to be waived again in 2021 and for the development of grant programs to cover fixed costs and expansion projects specifically for tourism businesses through the NOHFC.
This week much of my focus was at the Provincial level. We are now doing follow up with those Ministers/Ministries that we met with and will continue to apply all of our resources to advocating for programs, and reduction of red tape. We are also asking for the Ontario Government to support us in our requests at the Federal level on our top two asks more meaningful financial support for seasonal tourism businesses as well as for them to consult with us on their plans for a safe reopening of our border now.
Some of you have contacted me recently about the letters you have received regarding moose hunting for 2021 and I know that many of you have questions. We are reviewing the details of the letter now and will be looking to MNRF next week to provide clarification. In the meantime, if any of you have specifics that you would like us to seek clarity, please contact me directly.
This continues to be a very challenging time for all of you and I encourage all of you to reach out to someone when you are feeling low. I know from experience that it helps. Sometimes just saying what you are feeling or are concerned about out loud can bring strength and quiet your mind. Take time for yourself. Get outdoors and away from the news and social media for a period of time every day. Our mental health is so important.
With the unlikelihood that the border will reopen for a truncated summer season or at all this year, we encourage each of you to create a plan A and a plan B. For those of you who are truly struggling with creating your plans for this coming season, reach out . If we can't help, we have contacts that can.
That being said, we have not given up. We are continuing our work with our Northern Border Working Group as you will see in this newsletter.
As for the week ahead, we are continuing to press on for supports at every level. We have several key meetings coming up and we are optimistic that we will make progress.
Thank you to those who renewed their membership or joined this week. We know that times are tough and if you need to discuss options for paying your membership this year give us a call. Remember, your membership dollars support our advocacy efforts.
Stay strong and be well,
Laurie Marcil
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Northern Ontario Border Working Group Update
In order to address the border closure and relevant issues, Destination Northern Ontario (DNO), Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) and Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) have formed the Northern Ontario Border Working Group. The group is gathering information, research and is endeavoring to develop concrete solutions. The group has met three times and meets virtually every two weeks.
This group has referencing the data collected through surveys conducted by NOTO and TIAO since the onset of COVID as well as the stakeholder calls hosted by TIAO in December that focused on the border. The group is using all of this information as they do their work.
We are looking to determine the feasibility of solutions that might lessen border restrictions. One of the solutions that is being discussed, is the development of a proposal to establish a pilot project in Northern Ontario. This project would allow US tourists who have a reservation, to enter Canada at a Northern Ontario border entry point, to vacation at a Northern Ontario tourist establishment. There currently is a pilot project in Alberta which has shared their experiences with the Working Group. The Working Group is continuing to gather data, consult with government officials and pursue possible logistical procedures and protocols for a pilot project.
The group will meet again on February 5, 2021.
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Federal Government Imposes Additional Travel Restrictions
Beginning next week, all international flights, including flights from the US, will land at the Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports. All international travellers will need to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flights. As soon as possible, mandatory PCR testing at the airport will be required for people returning to Canada in addition to the pre-boarding test.
Travellers will then need to quarantine in a designated hotel for up to 3 days while they await their test results, at the travellers expense, which is expected to be more than $2000. Those with a negative test will then finish their 14-day quarantine at home with increased surveillance, while those who test positive will be transferred to a Government-designated facility.
Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Air Transat have agreed to suspend services to sun destinations starting this Sunday until April 30th. They will be making arrangements with their customers who are in these regions to organize flights home.
PM Trudeau also announced that in the coming weeks, Canada will begin requiring non-essential travellers who are returning to Canada to show a negative test before entering through a land border crossing with the US.
President Biden also introduced orders which require all international travellers entering/returning to the US to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure in addition to mandatory quarantine. |
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Ontario's Plan to Stop the Spread of New COVID-19 Variants
In addition to the travel restrictions announced by the Federal Government, the Province is implementing mandatory on-arrival testing of all international travellers arriving at Pearson. To date, there has been 51 cases of the UK variant identified in Ontario. Health officials are concerned that the UK variant may become the dominant virus by March 2021.
As a result, Ontario has released their six-point action plan which enhances existing efforts to detect, track, trace and contain the spread of COVID-19. The 6 components are:
- Mandatory Testing of Travelers
- Enhanced Screening and Sequencing
- Maintain Public Health Measures
- Strengthen Case and Contact Management
- Enhancing Protections for Vulnerable Populations
- Leveraging Data
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Clarification on When the Lockdown/Stay-at-Home Order Ends
We have been receiving quite a few e-mails from operators and soon-to-be travellers who are wondering when the stay-at-home order, state of emergency, lockdown and other COVID-19 orders end. Here's a bit of a clarification:
All COVID-19 related orders and the province-wide lockdown may be extended before these dates.
The Stay-at-Home order is part of Ontario's State of Emergency regulations, which must be reviewed and extended if needed every 14 days.
The Reopening Ontario Act are the regulations which highlights gathering restrictions, service restrictions for stores/restaurants, sets the stage for fines to be laid if any individual or business is in non-compliance with COVID-19 orders. These orders are reviewed and extended if needed every 30 days and have been active since July 2020.
The lockdown is its own regulation (O. Reg 82/20 - Rules for areas in stage 1 (lockdown)) that is enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act and the Emergency Act. The current expiry date for the lockdown is February 11th. The lockdown will be reviewed and extended if need be prior to that date.
We hope that this provides the clarity many have been searching for.
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Minister MacLeod's Webinars Outlining Ontario's COVID-19 Financial Supports
These regional webinars will outline supports offered by the provincial government including:
- Small Business Support Grants of up to $20,000
- Property Tax and Energy Bill Rebates
- Main Street Relief Grant for PPE Support of up to $1000
- Not For Profit Support with Ontario Trillium Foundation (additional $100 million in COVID-19 supports beyond the $103 million annual budget)
- Support for Arts Organizations (additional $25 million in COVID-19 supports beyond the $60 million budget)
Click on the button below to register for your regional business support webinar.
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HASCAP Program
The Federal Government has finally announced the opening of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP).
The program will be available through your financial institutions beginning on February 1st. These will be 100% government-backed loans and they will provide $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.
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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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This is Why NOTO Continues its Efforts...
A Member Testimonial
Dear Laurie,
Craig and I very much appreciate your crucial role in advocating for the hospitality and tourism businesses and keeping us all apprised. Not only that, we look to you for fighting our fight, and ensuring we--as northern outfitters--are included in government loans and support.
Thank you, Laurie, for your leadership and support and all that you do!!
Take good care,
Linda (Camp Anjigami)
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Thank you Linda for your very kind words and for rejoining NOTO!
The NOTO Team
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Virtual Sportsman Show in Quebec - Salon Virtuel de la Pourvoirie, Chasse et Pêche
The Salon Virtuel de la Pourvoirie, Chasse et Pêche has developed a virtual platform that provides the same level of interaction between exhibitors and visitors as they would get if physically present, albeit without the handshake. Three clicks is all it will take for a visitor to talk to an outfitter or a hunting/fishing operation face-to-face, and to have direct access to a live reservation and information system, as though you were right there.
The sportsman show will take place from February 19th to the 21st, 2021.
As the industry continues to be impacted by the closure of the Canada-US border, this sportsman show may provide an opportunity for outfitters to reach a new market in Quebec. Click on the buttons below to view additional information and to access the registration form.
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Vaccine Shipment Delays
Moderna has announced that Canada will experience some shipment delays next month. Canada is expected to receive 20-25% less doses in February.
Canada will also be receiving up to 80% less doses this week than initially promised from Pfizer as they continue to upgrade their plant in Belgium. Ontario did not receive any Pfizer vaccine deliveries for the week of January 25th, and will receive 26,000 doses in the first weeks of February. The Ontario Government has not yet received it's allocations for the weeks of February 8th or February 15th, adding more uncertainty to the province's vaccination efforts.
Ontario accelerated their vaccination efforts of residents in long-term care, retirement homes and First Nations elder care homes with a new target date of February 5th. The remaining doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be reserved for those who have already received their first doses to ensure all long-term care, retirement, and First Nations elder care homes receive their second shot within the 21-27 day interval. Doses of the Moderna vaccine have been reallocated to 14 public health units to ensure vaccines are administered at each long-term care home. |
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MECP Public Consultation: Proposed Changes to Fire Management Policy
Ontario Parks is updating it's fire management policies for provincial parks and conservation reserves and have released a proposal for the public to review. The changes they are proposing includes:
- simplifying and clarifying requirements for fire management planning to guide wildland fire response and prescribed burning
- preparing assets, resources and opportunities maps to inform decisions about the appropriate response to fire, in locations where the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is responsible for wildland fire management
- allowing flexibility for developing fire management plans when more detailed planning is needed
- using local and Indigenous knowledge to inform fire management planning
- encouraging fire research and promoting opportunities for learning about the benefits of fire and fire prevention
- rescinding class and zone-specific provincial park policies on prescribed burning, fire suppression and fire management planning in Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies so that decisions can be made based on local management interests
The official documents are available for review on the Environmental Registry of Ontario at these links:
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Fire Management Policy for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves: ERO# 019-0414
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Fire Management Planning Guideline for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves: ERO# 019-0417
You may submit any comments you have using the blue links listed above.
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Manitoba Introduces Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine
Anyone entering Manitoba from anywhere in Canada will be required to quarantine for 14 days. This includes individuals entering from west of Terrace Bay, Ontario, which did not need to self-isolate when this order was in place in the spring. These measures come into effect beginning January 29th.
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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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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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