- Ontario Passes Two New COVID-19 Acts
- CEWS Extension Passed
- TIAO Calls with Canada Border Services Agency - July 28th
- Proposed Travel Tax Credit Bill
- TIAO Insurance Survey
- A Note from Experience Fishing
- Ontario's Baitfish Management Strategy
- Update from Dimension Display on the Future of Tradeshows
- Contact Tracing App
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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Ontario Passes Two New COVID-19 Acts
- Continue emergency orders in effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) under the new legislation for an initial 30 days.
- Allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to further extend these orders for up to 30 days at a time, as required to keep Ontarians safe.
- Allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to amend certain emergency orders continued under the EMCPA if the amendment relates to:
- labour redeployment or workplace and management rules;
- closure of places and spaces or regulation of how businesses and establishments can be open to provide goods or services in a safe manner;
- compliance with public health advice; or
- rules related to gatherings and organized public events.
- Not allow new emergency orders to be created.
- Allow emergency orders to be rescinded when it is safe to do so.
The ability to extend and amend orders under the new legislation would be limited to one year, unless extended by the Ontario legislature. Appropriate oversight and transparency would be ensured through regular, mandated reporting that provides the rationale for the extension of any emergency order. The legislation would include the same types of provisions on offences and penalties as set out under the
EMCPA
to address non-compliance with orders.
- Restart jobs and development to get Ontario's economic engine roaring again by getting key infrastructure projects built faster, attracting more jobs and investment, and cutting red tape to help businesses adapt to the new environment.
- Strengthen communities by ensuring municipalities are equipped with the tools they need to continue to provide the critical services people rely on every day, including allowing municipalities and their local boards to continue to choose to hold meetings electronically at any time and putting in place a new community benefits charge to help municipalities pay for the infrastructure and services needed for growing communities.
- Create opportunity for people as they recover their lives and livelihoods by protecting consumers, modernizing services, improving the education system and removing the social and economic barriers that stand in the way of success for young people.
The Ontario Legislature has now adjourned and will return September 14th, 2020.
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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Extension Passed
The Federal Government is looking at moving towards a tiered CEWS system which would allow any business who experienced any kind of decline in revenue to be eligible for CEWS, not just those who have experienced a loss of 30% or greater. They also introduced a wage top up CEWS meaning that businesses that have been particularly hard hit may actually get more than 75% to cover employee wages.
Upon
reviewing the bill
to ensure that seasonal workers will be eligible to access the new CEWS, we found the following: To meet the definition of a qualifying entity, a business must meet one of the following conditions: 1) it had, on March 15th, 2020, a business number in respect of which it is registered with the Minister to make remittance required under section 153 of the Income Tax Act,
OR
2) By March 15th, 2020, the business employed one or more individuals in Canada. This stipulation should ensure that seasonal workers are not excluded from this program.
Click on the button below to view all the changes coming to the CEWS program.
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TIAO Calls with Canadian Border Service Agency
Tuesday July 28th - 10:00am (EST)
In a change to our usual stakeholder calls we're delighted to announce that Patrizia Giolti from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be joining us on our 10am (EST) call on Tuesday to answer your questions about current and future arrangements at the border.
Industry Update Call with CBSA
Time: 10am
Access Code: 312-243-733
Dial in: +1 (647) 497-9391
Northern Ontario Industry Update Call with CBSA
Call Time: 2 pm
Access Code: 424-355-133
Dial in: +1 (647) 497-9373
Thank you.
The TIAO team.
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Ontario's NDP Looking to Pass An Ontario Travel Tax Credit
MPP Wayne Gates, an NDP representative, is looking to introduce a bill which would amend the Taxation Act, 2007 to provide for a non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 for residents of Ontario for travel in Ontario for the purposes of tourism.
To be eligible for this credit, an individual must have been a resident in Ontario on the last day of a taxation year ending after December 31, 2019.
If passed, this bill may help entice Ontario residents to explore everything Ontario has to offer.
However, NOTO is concerned about the timing of this bill. On July 22nd, the Ontario legislature has adjourned and will return on September 14th, 2020. This means that this bill may not be passed until the fall, when most of our operators are beginning to close their doors for the winter months.
NOTO will keep a close eye on the development of this bill and pressure Government to pass this legislation as soon as legislature resumes.
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TIAO Insurance Survey
As we navigate the ongoing challenges created by the pandemic we continue to advocate on your behalf and seek clarity regarding new issues businesses are now facing.
An ongoing inquiry we have received is about the role of insurance providers. We are trying to create a clear picture of what is going and identify where any gaps may be to ensure the insurance sector is meeting the needs of tourism businesses.
We have created an insurance survey aimed at identifying and tracking trends in the insurance coverage provided to tourism SMEs in Ontario. The data will be used internally to better understand the impact COVID-19 is having on business interruption insurance, and rates of increase.
Thank you.
The TIAO team.
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Expand Your Horizons with Experience Fishing
Looking to reach new markets? Destination Northern Ontario’s Experience Fishing program can help you attract new anglers to your lodge or resort. With the demand for domestic vacations packages on the rise, now is the time to adapt to changes and leverage opportunities by offering travellers new adventures and experiences that can be shared with their family and friends.
The program has been designed to assist Northern outfitters with developing, implementing and promoting the ultimate fishing experience for beginners. It provides the necessary tools, training, resources, fishing
equipment and business support at no cost. It helps teach the fun of fishing in a safe and affordable way, and it helps you effectively meet the needs of emerging markets.
Create that authentic Canadian experience, capture the true essence of the North, and expand your target
market all while maintaining social distancing precautions. Join the 24 operators across Northern Ontario
already taking advantage of this program and register today for free to learn how you can expand your business offerings.
Register Today!
Operator registration is now open. There is
no cost
to participate.
Everything needed to implement the program such as training resources, tools and resources is included!
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Experience Fishing Derby Livestream
Join us on Facebook on August 19th to catch our livestream of the first annual Experience Fishing Derby.
Presented in collaboration with FishON!, this exciting event will be live broadcasted straight from our Northern Ontario waters. Watch as four of our Experience Fishing program outfitters compete to bait the biggest fish!
What’s the catch?
Each boat will have one new angler on board. The livestream will capture the adventures of each team in live
action as they utilize the Experience Fishing program and share their knowledge and expertise.
Let’s keep the fishing adventures alive!
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Ontario's Sustainable Bait Management Strategy
As we all know, the movement and harvest of live bait can pose a significant ecological risk to Ontario's fisheries. Last year, the Government underwent several public consultations with stakeholders from across the Province to discuss these risks and support a continues bait industry in Ontario. These consultations provided MNRF with feedback to create Ontario's Sustainable Bait Management Strategy.
The Sustainable Bait Management Strategy includes the following direction:
- Movement of bait including commercially harvested, purchased and personally harvested baitfish and leeches will be limited to within four bait management zones (map provided in document);
- A limited-scope testing program will continue to enable tested, disease-free Emerald Shiners harvested from Lake Simcoe to be moved as far north as North Bay in the winter. This testing program will improve on the MNRF’s existing testing program (map provided in document);
- Anglers will be able to personally harvest and move their bait within the zone of their primary residence;
- Anglers will not be required to keep a receipt when using bait in their home zone, but will require a receipt (with a 2-week expiry) when using bait purchased in another zone;
- The list of eligible baitfish species will be reduced to only those 34 species that anglers and commercial operators typically use and sell (including sticklebacks);
- The use and storage of bait will be prohibited in native Brook Trout lakes, but commercial harvest in these lakes may continue; and
- Minor changes will be made to commercial bait licences (e.g. to provide longer licence terms) and MNRF will work with industry representatives to develop a compliance framework.
These changes will be implemented over the next 1-3 years as the ministry pursues amendments to existing regulations.
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Safely Reopening Events and Exhibitions - What to Expect
An article from Dimension Display
Whether you’re planning an event or attending one, it has never been more important to know what decisions and precautions are going on behind the scenes to ensure your safety and health.
Dimension Display is moving to the Next Dimension and has gathered this package to inform you on what is being discussed and what the future holds for face-to-face marketing, trade shows & networking opportunities.
Please
download the PDF white paper
for more information on the future of events and exhibitions
. If you choose, you can also sign up for our e-Newsletter which will keep you up-to-date and give you a first look when new and innovative products become available.
If you would like more information, please contact us directly at (204) 943-7551 or email us at
info@dimensiondisplay.ca
Dimension Display also has an online store where operators can purchase COVID-19 supplies such as hand sanitizer and hygiene stations, masks, sneeze guards, social distancing markers and more!
Click here to visit the COVID-19 Supplies store
.
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Text Message Contact Tracing for Tourism
A Message from SMSnet
Public Health Officials agree that after wearing masks and social distancing, contact tracing will be their most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19. Many Municipalities have mandated restaurants and tourism businesses to record the name and contact information of guests in case of exposure.
SMSnet has de
veloped a
text message contact tracing service that does not require a visitor to download an app, does not require wifi, and works on all North American cell phones.
Any operator who is interested in learning more about this app are encouraged to contact
Rick O'Connor
Call or text: 905-716-6916
Toll free call: 1-800-930-4858
The Sport & Event Text Messaging Company
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NOTO Employment Board
As operators begin to open, many need help with finding employees. NOTO's website features an employment discussion board where those looking for work and those looking to hire can post in hopes of filling vacant positions.
This board is free to use for everyone and will be shared regularly on our social media pages.
NOTO also encourages all operators to take advantage of the CEWS program and the CEWS extension once it becomes available. Accessing CEWS will provide operators with more pay flexibility and could be used as an incentive to encourage individuals who are currently relying on CERB to come back to work for the summer.
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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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