NOTO Update
In Today's Update

  • A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
  • Ontario Staycation Tax Credit: Your Questions Answered (From TIAO)
  • Ontario Government Introduces New Measures Against Omicron Variant
  • 2021 Northern Ontario Fixed Roof Accommodation Survey
  • Federal Government's 2021 Economic and Fiscal Update & Bill C-2 Update
  • Federal Government Re-Introduces Travel Advisory & Testing Requirements
  • 2021/22 Moose Aerial Inventory Surveys
  • Province Seeking Input on 2+1 Highway Pilot Project to Improve Road Safety
  • Ontario Cutting Wholesale Alcohol Prices
  • Reminder: LUP and BMA holders
  • Northern Ontario Public Health Unit Updates
  • Tourism SkillsNet North
  • Safe Travel Stamp
  • Renew or Join NOTO! - Early Bird Rates Extended!

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:
Kate Boissonneault - kate@noto.net
Laurie Marcil - laurie@noto.net or 705-499-7556
A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
Laurie Marcil

Well this has been a busy week of Provincial and Federal announcements, that will impact our industry directly in a wide variety of ways. We have summarized everything we have heard this week to help prepare you as business owners as well as residents of Ontario.

As you read through this newsletter I don't want you to miss the fact that after months and months of NOTO advocating for extensions on payback terms for the Federal loan programs ie. CEBA, we have reached success! The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, included this in her Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 earlier this week. We will be sharing more details as soon as they are made available.

Of course there are other pieces of the new supports announced this week that will require more effort from NOTO and all of our tourism advocacy partners to ensure they will be effective for seasonal businesses and the small businesses within the tourism industry. We may be coming to all of you for your support of our efforts over the next weeks as we push for change. We are here for you.

I know that we had all hoped that with all of the sacrifices we have made over the last 22 months, we would be seeing the other side of this pandemic by now. Watching the latest affects of the Omicron variant as it sweeps into Canada and Ontario is very discouraging especially at this time of year. We can only continue to do our part to stop the spread and follow the advice of our health officials if we hope to get through this before the spring arrives.

For those of you who operate winter tourism businesses, please know that we want to hear from you on the impacts of the new health and safety restrictions so that we can seek support for you through the winter season if it is needed.

I am sure over the coming days there will be more information that we will have to share with you so you can expect to see at least one more newsletter from us before Kate and I take a break between Christmas and New Years. I encourage all of you to really take some time to unplug over the holidays to recharge and spend time with family and friends safely.


Be well,
Laurie
Ontario Staycation Tax Credit: Your Questions Answered

In November, the Province announced the new Ontario Staycation Tax Credit in their 2021 Fall Economic Statement as a way to help rebuild our economy and support the tourism sector. Through this tax credit program, Ontarians can get a 20 per cent personal income tax credit on eligible accommodation between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 2022, up to a maximum of $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family, for a maximum credit of $200 or $400 respectively. 

Ontario residents could apply for this refundable credit when they file their 2022 personal tax returns and benefit even if they do not owe any tax.

We know many operators have struggled in attracting Ontarians and we are hopeful that this program will help to encourage more Ontarians to book trips at our vacation destinations in 2022.

As we near the start of this program in January 2022, we have had several questions about the program and TIAO has helped to get these answers.

Thank you to TIAO for putting this information together!

In response to your questions about the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit, TIAO has obtained additional information and clarification from the province: 

Q: Would transient boating count as an eligible accommodation? Would houseboat accommodation where you sleep onboard and live onboard for the duration of your holiday count as an accommodation expense? 
A: No. Transient mooring fees may not be an eligible expense and short-term accommodation would generally not include a timeshare agreement, a stay on a boat, houseboat, train or other vehicle that can be self-propelled. 

Q: How will receipts need to be itemized?  
A: To claim the credit, individuals need to keep detailed receipts of their Ontario leisure accommodations. Those receipts should include information such as the location of the accommodation, the GST/HST paid, the amount paid for the accommodation portion of a stay, the date of the stay, and the name of the payor.
  
Q: Will the tax credit be available for travel package bookings made through tour operators? Would the tour operator need to separate out the hotel fees on an invoice to make the expense eligible? 
A: See above. For greater clarity, the receipt must include the amount that can be reasonably considered to be the accommodation portion of a stay.  

Q: Is there a cut-off point for the Staycation Tax Credit? Will the money run out?  
A: No, the funding for this credit would not run out. All eligible individuals would be able to claim the credit on their Personal Income Tax returns for 2022 if all conditions are met.  

Q: Is there a restriction on how eligible accommodations should be booked? I.e., directly with the accommodation or via an online platform? 
A: An accommodation booked through an online platform operator or directly with the accommodation provider may be an eligible expense if it is subject to GST/HST and all other conditions for eligibility are met. 
 
Q: For cottages, would visitors need to go through a booking platform?  
A: A cottage may be an eligible expense, whether it is booked through an online platform operator or directly with the accommodation provider, if the accommodation is subject to GST/HST and all other conditions for eligibility are met.  

Q: If visitors travel in 2022 but book the stay and pay now (2021), would it be eligible for the tax credit as it was not charged in 2022?  
A: Eligible accommodation expenses could be claimed, regardless of the timing of payment, as long as the stay occurs between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, and meets all of the other conditions. 

For a full list of eligibility conditions for the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit, please click here. The Ontario Staycation Tax Credit would be delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency, which would determine eligibility for the credit on a case-by-case basis when reviewing 2022 Personal Income Tax Returns. 
Ontario Government Introduces New Measures Against Omicron Variant

In response to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is ramping up and encouraging vaccination and introducing the following restrictions beginning at 12:01am Sunday December 19th, 2021:

  • Gathering limits of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors across the province
  • 50% capacity limits for restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and strip clubs, personal care services; personal physical fitness trainers; retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies); shopping malls; non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. gyms); indoor recreational amenities; indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities; tour and guide services; photography studios and services; and marinas and boating clubs.
  • Businesses must post their capacity limits on the front door.
  • Only permitting 10 people to sit together at a table in restaurants, bars, and meeting and event venues.
  • All restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments must close by 11pm, and stop serving alcohol after 10pm. Take-out and delivery will still be permitted after 11pm.

These restrictions are in addition to the restrictions announced earlier this week:
  • Delaying the lifting of proof of vaccination requirements beyond January 17, 2022, aligned with the reopening plan that stipulated that doing so was contingent on the absence of concerning trends.
  • Effective January 4, 2022, requiring the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app in settings where proof of vaccination is required. The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
  • Strengthening the verification process for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions by requiring a certificate with a QR code. Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as of January 10, 2022.
  • Effective December 20, 2021, requiring proof of vaccination for youth aged 12 to 17 years participating in organized sports at recreational facilities.
  • On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontarians are strongly advised to limit their social gatherings and the number of gatherings they attend over the holiday season.
  • Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.
  • Starting on Monday, December 13, 2021, individuals aged 50 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment. Expanded booster dose eligibility to all Ontarians 18 years of age and older will occur on December 20th, 2021, with appointments to be booked approximately three months after receiving a second dose.
  • Starting on December 18th, 2021, Ontario will re-introduce a 50% capacity limit to indoor areas of venues with usual capacity of 1,000 or more.

The full suite of measures is outlined in the backgrounder.
2021 Northern Ontario Fixed Roof Accommodation Survey

Destination Northern Ontario (DNO), in partnership with Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Algoma Country, Sunset Country, Superior Country and NOTO, is conducting the annual Northern Ontario Fixed Roof Accommodation survey to benchmark the industry’s performance.

The past two years have been difficult and far from normal, and as the industry continues to struggle through the pandemic it is more important than ever that we continue to track performance. Input from stakeholders like you allow Destination Northern Ontario, your regional marketing organizations, NOTO and others to continue to advocate on our industry’s behalf. 

The concrete data and numbers you provide help tell the story of the continued need for funding and support specifically for Northern Ontario. It also helps measure the impact of the pandemic and if/how the accommodation industry in Northern Ontario is recovering.

This 30-minute survey seeks to collect data on your operation’s performance in 2020 and 2021, including market segmentation and high-level financials, COVID-19 funding programs, and an outlook on 2022. We realize that you may be surveyed out, but as an industry stakeholder, DNO and its partners really need and appreciate your input.

Survey respondents will have a chance to win 1 of 6 prizes! Find out more information and complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DNOSurvey2021

Thank you, you are making a difference!
Federal Government's 2021 Economic and Fiscal Update

This week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, presented the 2021 Canadian fiscal update. Here is a quick summary of key items that were presented which the Government intends to initiate:

  • Extending the deadline for repayment of Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans.
  • Extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program
  • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program which would provide support through wage and rent subsidies to organizations in the tourism and hospitality sectors such as hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, restaurants and organizations that plan and host festivals or live performances, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.
  • The Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program which would provide support through wage and rent subsidies to organizations that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent.
  • Extending Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) to March 31, 2022.
  • The Local Lockdown Program which would provide organizations that face new local COVID-19-related lockdowns with up to the maximum amount available through the wage and rent subsidy programs
  • Worker Lockdown Benefit: if a worker has a personal revenue decrease of 50% due to lockdown measures, they are eligible to receive $300 a week.
  • To help strengthen supply chains and address bottlenecks, in 2021-22, the government will launch a new, targeted call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund to assist Canadian ports with the acquisition of cargo storage capacity and other measures to relieve supply chain congestion. The Fund will dedicate up to $50 million to support eligible priority projects. Further details on the targeted call for proposals will be announced in the coming weeks.
  • Small Businesses Air Quality Improvement Tax Credit of 25 per cent on eligible air quality improvement expenses incurred by small businesses to make it more affordable for them to invest in safer and healthier ventilation and air filtration.
  • Proposing $1.7 billion to Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue supporting provinces and territories in securing the rapid testing supplies they need to keep Canadians safe and healthy, including through expanded school and workplace testing programs.

Click here for the Economic and Fiscal Update and to read the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance's speech.

Several of these initiatives are included in Bill C-2. NOTO is pleased to announce that on December 17th, Bill C-2 was passed by the House of Commons and received royal assent from the Senate the same day. NOTO has some serious concerns regarding the detail that has been outlined to date regarding the wage subsidy program and other tourism directed supports. The issues around seasonality as well as the higher thresholds will mean that most of our resource-based tourism sector businesses will not qualify for the supports that were a lifeline for many over the last year and much needed moving into the year ahead.

NOTO is ramping up our efforts to seek changes to ensure our sector will be able to get the support it needs particularly now that businesses will be facing new uncertainty and possibly additional restrictions with this new variant on the loose in Ontario.
Federal Government Re-Introduces Travel Advisory & Testing Requirements

The federal government has re-introduced its advisory against travelling outside of Canada for non-essential purposes due to the Omicron variant. The advisory will remain in place for at least four weeks and then be re-evaluated.

The government is also planning on expanding its on-arrival testing and isolation rules which so far is only being randomly applied to air travellers. The government has said it will be made universal to all air travellers outside of the United States, but hasn't set an exact date for when this will begin.

Starting Tuesday, December 21st, all travellers will once again need to get a COVID-19 molecular test before returning to Canada. The announcement from Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos rolls back the exemption announced last month that fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents taking short trips abroad, under 72 hours, wouldn't need proof of a negative test before returning home.

Effective Saturday December 18th, the Government is ending the ban on flights from South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt as Omicron is already spreading in Canada.

If any travel requirements or restrictions change for US guests, we will advise the industry immediately.
2021/22 Moose Aerial Inventory Surveys

From December 16, 2021 to mid-February, 2022, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) will be conducting moose aerial inventory (MAI) surveys. The MAI survey program is designed to monitor moose populations across Ontario. Staff use aircraft to look for moose and their tracks in fresh, deep snow, following standardized, science-based provincial protocols. Survey information on the number, age, and sex of moose is used to inform moose and habitat management.

This winter, NDMNRF is planning surveys that include Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 11A, 11B, 11C, 12A, 12B, 14, 17, 18A, 18B, 19, 21A, 24, 26, 27, 35, 38, 39, 41, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, and 65. WMU 13 has been identified as a contingency survey, and could be flown if weather conditions aren’t suitable in other areas or if time is available after completion of the planned surveys. As is the case every year, completion of surveys is dependent on appropriate weather conditions such as snow to ensure staff are able to reliably detect moose and moose tracks from aircraft. Therefore, surveys for all of the WMUs listed above may not occur if the required weather conditions are not met within the survey window.

If you have any questions about moose aerial inventory surveys, please contact peter.addison@ontario.ca or 705-772-8912.

Province Seeking Input on 2+1 Highway Pilot Project to Improve Road Safety

The Ontario government is taking steps to help improve road safety and traffic flow in Northern Ontario with a proposal to create a 2+1 highway pilot project on Highway 11 north of North Bay. The three-lane highway will include a centre passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometres, with a barrier separating the oncoming traffic lanes. The province has identified the top two locations for the proposed 2+1 highway pilot:

  • Highway 11 from Sand Dam Road to Ellesmere Road (14 kilometres)
  • Highway 11 from Highway 64 to Jumping Caribou Lake Road (16 kilometres)

The public and stakeholders can comment on the proposed 2+1 pilot locations on the Ministry of Transportation’s Technical Consultation Portal until January 11, 2022.

The province will evaluate comments and announce the final 2+1 pilot locations to advance to preliminary design in January 2022.
Ontario Cutting Wholesale Alcohol Prices

The government is supporting bars, restaurants and other businesses with a licence to operate a liquor consumption premises by cutting wholesale prices for the alcohol they purchase from the LCBO, saving these businesses 20 per cent when compared to retail prices.

The government also froze the basic beer tax rates that were set to be indexed to inflation on March 1, 2022 until March 1, 2023.
Reminder: LUP and BMA holders

If you haven't done so already, complete our quick survey regarding these fees and your access to provincial supports. NOTO is continuing to advocate for 2022 crown resource fees to be waived and we need your help.

We are asking LUP holders and bear management area holders to share with us the impact of having to pay these 2022 fees for their business. We are also interested in learning more about your ability to qualify and/or obtain support through the Provincial programs targeted at tourism businesses.

Please help us by taking a couple of minutes to answer a brief survey. Your feedback is critical.

Thank you for your time and feedback.  
Northern Ontario Public Health Unit Updates
Northwestern Health Unit:

Northwestern Health Unit is advising all individuals to avoid all non-essential travel outside of their district and to avoid gatherings due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region. No official restrictions (Section 22 Orders) have been made for the recommendations at this time.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit:

TBDHU is advising all individuals against non-essential travel to Minnesota and other nearby states. No other recommendations or restrictions have been put forward at this time.
Algoma Public Health:

Algoma Public Health has issued Section 22 Orders. One order focuses on mandatory vaccination in sports and the re-introduction of capacity limits in businesses that require proof of vaccination. The other order re-introduces gathering restrictions of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors effective December 17th and will remain in effect until January 16, 2022. These orders are enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act. Anyone caught in non-compliance will receive fines.
Porcupine Health Unit:

The Porcupine Health Unit only issued one Section 22 Order with regards to vaccination in sports and sporting facilities. No other Section 22 Orders or recommendations have been made at this time.
Timiskaming Health Unit:

The Timiskaming Health Unit has issued two Section 22 Orders; one with regards to mandatory isolation, regardless of vaccination status, if you are identified as a close-contact of a COVID-19 case, and the other to re-introduce capacity limits in businesses where proof of vaccination is required, and vaccination requirements in organized sports.

THU is also advising all individuals to work from home if able, and to limit social gatherings to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts:

PHSD has issued several Section 22 Orders covering the following items: work from home order, re-instated capacity limits for businesses, strengthen proof of vaccination requirements for sports at indoor facilities, capacity limits of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors for events held by businesses, requiring proof of vaccination for any non-essential business for which it was originally optional to opt-into the proof of vaccination program effective December 15th, strengthening requirements for Safety Plans for all businesses and organizations, eliminating buffets for restaurants, and moving to 3m social distancing in fitness facilities. A full description of all of these Section 22 Order requirements can be seen here.

PHSD is strongly advising all individuals to avoid travel outside of the district and to limit their social contacts.
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit:

NBPSDHU has only issued one Section 22 Order which states that any individual, regardless of vaccination status, who is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case must self-isolate. The health unit is advising individuals to limit their social interactions and to get their booster shots if eligible.
Businesses who are located outside of these health unit regions, or who have questions about the restrictions currently in place across the North are strongly encouraged to reach out to their local public health units. Each local medical officer of health may issue Section 22 Orders which are enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act to address the trends in their respective regions.
Tourism SkillsNet North
In need of staff? We can help!

Register your business to the Tourism SkillsNet North program. We have job seekers in various areas across Northern Ontario that we will train and match to your business in hopes of filling your vacancies! As the employer, you will be able to interview each candidate we send your way and decide if you would like to hire them.

If you hired staff outside of the program after June 1, 2021, you can still register them to the Tourism SkillsNet North program to have them trained and receive a wage subsidy! As long as your employees complete the mandatory training courses, you will receive a 30% wage subsidy (up to $3000) per employee! This could help you with recruitment for next season.

Register your business and/or your employees today by clicking on the button below.

Have questions? Reach out to us at communications@destinationnorthernontario.ca.
Safe Travels Stamp

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) created the Safe Travels Stamp which is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

In Ontario, the Safe Travels Stamp are administered by TIAO. NOTO's health and safety protocols, which have been vetted by the Government of Ontario have been recognized as standardized protocols for this purpose.

To apply for your stamp, please click here.
Renew Your Membership or Join NOTO!

NOTO has extended the early bird membership pricing for the remainder of 2021!

  • Entry Level: $452.00
  • Bronze: $621.50 NOW: $593.25
  • Silver: $734.50 NOW: $706.25

  • Basic: $621.50 NOW: $593.25
  • Bronze: $779.70 NOW: $734.50
  • Silver: $1,367.30 NOW: $1,299.50

Associate Membership: $423.75

Public Membership: $73.45 

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 for your support!
NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners to continue our work. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca