- A Message from NOTO's President
- New Fines & Gathering Restriction Limits
- Border Closure Extension & Update
- Call for Nominations: NOTO elections and NOTO awards
- A Message from TIAO & Survey #8
- NOHFC - New Programs Coming Soon!
- The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses
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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A Message from NOTO's President
Bob Garson - Garson's Fly-In Outposts
Hello fellow NOTO members,
Laurie and I continue to meet with government to make them recognize that our industry is one of the sectors that has not been able to get worthwhile help.
We require help to ensure the survival of our one of a kind experiences. Our industry with iconic vacations that are world renowned need help to weather this storm. With help and when it is safe to do so, we can go back to being a major economic driver for our province and country.
I understand that even the businesses that could open are in survival mode, reducing their price to cater to the domestic market and the added costs of COVID. The businesses that could not realistically open have done everything they can to survive this year.
We are with you and I truly know what you are going through.
Bob Garson
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New Fines & Changes to Gathering Restrictions
- 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
- 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).
Unmonitored social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational. The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres or banquet halls, gyms, and recreational sporting or performing art events. Existing rules, including public health and workplace safety measures, for these businesses and facilities continue to be in effect.
- A new offence regarding hosting or organizing a gathering in residential premises or other prescribed premises that exceeds limits under an order
- A minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of these gatherings
- Authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe additional types of premises for the purpose of the new offence.
- Authority for a police officer, special constable or First Nations constable to order the temporary closure of a premise where there are reasonable grounds to believe that any gathering exceeding the number of people allowed is taking place and require individuals to leave the premises.
The government also extended emergency orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) to October 22, 2020. All stage 3 regulations will continue to apply across Ontario, along with the new gathering restrictions in Peel, Ottawa and Toronto.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and will adjust public health measures or restrictions if/when they need to be tightened or loosened.
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Border Closure
These new proposed exemptions, if agreed upon by both Governments, will allow for separated couples, extended family, international students, compassionate cases and those with business requirements to cross the border so long as they have a signed affidavit, proof of health insurance, a negative COVID-19 test as well as a proper 14-day quarantine plan. Stay tuned for more on these possible exemptions.
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NOTO Members: Call for Nominations for the NOTO Board Elections and NOTO Awards!
Bring YOUR views and ideas to the Board this year, help shape NOTO’s future and the future of Resource-Based Tourism in Ontario.
This is a call for nominations to fill vacant seats in the upcoming election. In order to stand for election, you must be a paid-up regular NOTO member. You can nominate or run only in your own region. Each nomination must be endorsed by two camp operators from your region. The nomination form can be found by clicking the following link: https://noto.ca/fm/Forms/NominationForm-2020.pdf
The following number of seats are available in each of our four electoral regions this year:
- Northwest: 1
- North Central: 1
- Northeast: 3
- South: 2
Completed nomination forms should be returned to the NOTO office by email, FAX or mail by September 30, 2020. Once the nominations are received, ballots will be prepared and sent to the membership electronically. You will also be able to vote up to 24 hrs before the Annual General Meeting. NOTE: The AGM will be held virtually this fall and the date will be announced soon. For more information on the election, please click here.
It's also time to nominate individuals for the NOTO awards!
The NOTO awards were created to acknowledge the people who make Ontario's tourism industry so vibrant. The awards are presented every year to members who have gone above and beyond to improve both the natural and working environment, and/or tourism as a whole.
Please take a moment to think about someone who you feel should be acknowledged for their contributions. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the NOTO office by email, FAX or mail by October 31st.
We hope to celebrate those dedicated to our industry. Each person who is nominated will be notified by the NOTO office of their nomination and will be encouraged to attend the virtual Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in November. Details to come shortly!
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A Message from TIAO and TIAO Survey #8
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TIAO has entered into an exciting new partnership! Simply click on the video above to watch the important message from TIAO's President and CEO Beth Potter.
Also, as we approach a November budget, it's never been more important for the tourism industry to be at the decision-making table with a clear and strong message. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below, compiled in cooperation with our partners at Navigator, and help us move forward together.
If you ever have any questions or want to contact the TIAO team, you can reach us by emailing us here or calling 416-483-1691.
Thank you.
The TIAO team.
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NOHFC - New Programs for Tourist Operators, Small Businesses Coming Soon!
NOHFC will be undergoing some changes in the Fall and are promising to create new funding initiatives that will benefit tourist operators and other small businesses in Northern Ontario that have been hard hit by COVID-19. More details to come soon!
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The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses
The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses representing Canada’s hardest hit sectors (including tourism, arts, culture, events, and hospitality), is a new coalition that has formed to call on the government to provide additional supports for their employees.
This coalition is represented by:
- Charlotte Bell, President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
- Susie Grynol, President and CEO, Hotel Association of Canada
- Keith Henry, President and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Martin Roy, Executive Director, Festivals and Major Events Canada
The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses will be launching their new campaign to mobilize the public and call on the government to extend support programs and protect jobs including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), a program that has been a critical lifeline for these industries and the more than two million Canadians they employ.
Click on the button below for more information on this new coalition and their goals.
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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.There are FAQ's with answers and tips from NOTO. FAQs will be regularly updated as well.
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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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