In Today's Update
- Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- Ontario COVID-19 Regulation Changes in Effect
- Changes in Canada's Border Measures Coming Into Effect Feb. 28th, 2022
- A Notice from CBSA on Bait
- Mercury Avator: Inspired Innovation
- TIAO Calls - Tuesday February 22nd
- TSNN - Update For All Employers As We Approach March 31st
- Opportunities to Provide Feedback: Wildland Fire Review, Proposal on Deer, Caribou, Federal Budget
- Early Bird Membership Pricing Now Available
- Safe Travel Stamp
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 Executive Director
Hello Tourism Family,
I know that the changes to the US-Canada border restrictions announced earlier this week were not what all of us were hoping for. Now that more and more provinces are moving towards removing restrictions on travel, businesses and social gatherings it is time that we elevate our advocacy efforts for more unrestricted movement across our border.
We have seen numerous other countries moving ahead with plans to open their borders. We do not want Canada to be left behind. Canada has one of the highest levels of vaccination in the world, we are learning how to live with COVID-19 and these are all positive steps.
We are grateful for how quickly our federal and provincial governments moved and the unprecedented measures they have taken to stop the spread of this pandemic and keep Canadians safe. The tourism sector, as we all know and government confirms, has been hardest hit and will continue to be hardest hit and unable to recover as long as US guests face challenges at our border.
Tourism businesses have done what our government and health officials have asked of them, now it is time to show these businesses that they are important to the Canadian economy and give them the tools they need to recover.
We along with our partners on the Northern Border Working Group are developing a strategy to get more attention to the need to remove all testing requirements at the border for fully vaccinated travellers before season open as well as a plan for allowing unvaccinated travellers into Canada before the end of this season.
We have reached out to a number of tourism businesses over the last number of days to get sentiments from your guests to build discussions points but these points will not be the emphasis as we move forward. Our emphasis will be that without the removal of pre-entry testing at the border for fully vaccinated travellers before this summer season begins, there will be no recovery for many tourism businesses or communities in Northern Ontario.
Once we have our strategy details worked out, we will share with all of you. This will take place in days not weeks.
We hope that every one of you enjoy Family Day on Monday. Kate and I will be away from our computers and phones on Monday to spend time with our families but will be back behind our desks on Tuesday.
Take care,
Laurie
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Ontario COVID-19 Regulations Change in Effect
Effective February 17th, 2022, the following COVID-19 regulation changes came into effect:
General Regulations:
- All individuals must wear masks when indoors in a business or public setting.
- Individuals must socially distance and wear masks when in line.
- Businesses must ensure that staff lunch room tables are spaced at least 2m apart or a separated by an impermeable barrier
- Businesses must post signs at all entrances in a visible location that informs individuals on how to screen themselves for COVID-19 prior to entering the premises
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Businesses must actively screening every person who works at the business or organization before they enter. This applies to guides and contractors as well. Some businesses must actively screen patrons as well.
- All businesses must have a safety plan and share the plan upon request.
- Any business may opt into the proof of vaccination program in order to eliminate capacity limits
Gatherings: 50 people indoors, 100 people outdoors
Restaurants, Bars and Other Food and Drink Establishments:
- No more capacity limits
- All individuals who dine-in must show proof of vaccination (QR code) and a piece of ID
- Must actively screen all individuals who dine-in
- If an outdoor area is covered by an awning, canopy, tent, etc., two walls or the roof and one wall must be open to the elements and are not substantially blocked by a wall or other impermeable barrier.
- Different regulations and capacity limits apply to food & drink establishments with dance facilities.
Hotels, Motels, Lodges, Resorts, Cabin, Cottages, and Other Shared Accommodations:
- Open
- Proof of vaccination (QR code) and ID is required to enter a fitness or indoor recreational facility. Capacity limit for indoor fitness and recreational facilities is the total number of people who can be indoors with 2m social distancing in place and must post capacity limits.
Tour & Guide Services:
- Open
- Must actively screen employees or those contracted to act as guides
Campgrounds:
- Open
- Proof of vaccination (QR code) and ID is required to enter a fitness or indoor recreational facility. Capacity limit for indoor fitness and recreational facilities is the total number of people who can be indoors with 2m social distancing in place and must post capacity limits.
Meeting and Event Spaces:
- No more capacity limits
- Proof of vaccination (QR code) and ID required
- Must actively screen all individuals entering the meeting and event spaces
- Rooms must be separated by an impermeable barrier that can be easily cleaned/disinfected
Marinas:
- Open
- Proof of vaccination (QR code) and ID is required to enter a fitness or indoor recreational facility
- Capacity is limited to the total number of people who can be indoors with 2m social distancing in place and must post capacity limits
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Changes in Canada's Border Measures Coming Into Effect Feb. 28th, 2022
The measures include the following:
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Fully-vaccinated travellers will now have the option to have either a negative PCR test taken within 72hr prior to their arrival in Canada or a rapid antigen test taken within 24hr prior to their arrival at a land-border or before boarding their flight to Canada. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement – it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.
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Fully-vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to take an on-arrival test however, there is a possibility of being randomly selected for arrival testing. Those randomly selected for arrival testing will not be required to quarantine while awaiting their test results.
- Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be exempt from quarantine, without any prescribed conditions limiting their activities.
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All travellers must enter all of their information, proof of vaccination, as well as a quarantine plan, into the ArriveCAN app within 72hrs prior to their arrival in Canada.
- Unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter Canada unless they meet one of the few exemptions. Those who meet exemptions will continue to be required to test on arrival, on Day 8 and quarantine for 14 days.
For the full release click HERE.
NOTO understands that although the option of using a rapid antigen test in lieu of a PCR test may help some individuals, there are still several barriers that may impact your US guests. Rest assured that we, along with our partners in the Northern Ontario Border Working Group, will continue to advocate for changes in the pre-entry and post-entry requirements in the weeks to come.
We encourage operators to share with us their comments or sentiments expressed by their guests as we prepare for more advocacy efforts. Thank you.
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A Notice from CBSA on Bait
NOTO has been notified by CBSA that they will not allow any bait (worms, minnows-live or dead, and obviously no leeches) into Canada like last year. Currently, the only people permitted to import any of these would be commercial bait dealers who may be able to satisfy the CFIA or MNRF in order to import them legally.
Please share this information with your guests to ensure they are prepared.
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Mercury Avator: Inspired Innovation
For more than 80 years, Mercury Marine® has set the standard for marine performance. Always innovating. Always looking forward. With one purpose: inspiring boaters to have the best experiences on the water.
Today, we’re proud to continue our leadership by announcing our initial concept for the Mercury Avator™ electric outboard series. This concept represents our next step forward in marine innovation, as Mercury progresses toward the formal release of electric outboard products later in 2022 and 2023.
“Sustainability and product leadership are core values at Mercury Marine. Our venture into electrification is a great example of Mercury fulfilling our commitments in these areas,” said Chris Drees, president of Mercury. “The Avator program will satisfy growing demand for electric propulsion in the marine space while building on our already substantial progress toward reducing outboard emissions by 80%.
“This announcement also provides a first look at how we intend to deliver on our commitment to being a marine industry leader in both internal combustion products and electric propulsion by the end of 2023. Be assured, we will continue offering innovative propulsion products that meet the needs of our customers and boaters everywhere, whether that’s a high-horsepower FourStroke outboard or a portable all-electric system like we’re developing with the Avator program.”
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TIAO Calls - Tuesday February 22nd
This week we will be joined by special guest Hassel Aviles, Executive Director of Not 9 to 5. Not 9 to 5 is a non-profit global leader in mental health advocacy for the foodservice sector. Through practical education and meaningful community-building, we are reimagining the industry by breaking stigmas and fuelling hope.
COVID-19 Northern Ontario Tourism Update Call
Tue, Feb 22, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 305-042-749
COVID-19 Ontario Tourism Update Call
Tue, Feb 22, 2022 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 305-256-605
Thank you,
The TIAO team.
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TSNN - Update For All Employers As We Approach March 31st
As we approach the end of the Tourism SkillsNet North program (March 31st, 2022), we wanted to touch base with you to provide an update of what to expect over the next few weeks.
Employers with Participating Employees:
Kate from NOTO and Melody from OTEC will be working together to reach out to you with regard to your employees training status. If your employee has not yet completed the instructor-led training course, or some of their self-guided training courses, we highly encourage you to work with them to ensure they complete these before March 15th, 2022. Upon the completion of their training, Kate from NOTO will reach out to you with next steps regarding the wage subsidy process.
For Seasonal Operators with Jobs Beginning After March 31st, 2022:
If you are a seasonal operator looking to hire and train employees for employment beginning after April 1st, 2022, we can still provide training to your employees before March 31st, 2022, however you will unfortunately not be eligible to claim the wage subsidy for these positions. We have submitted an application to the Ministry to extend the TSNN program. If approved, we will reach out to all seasonal employers and ask if you’d like to be moved into round 2 of the TSNN program to receive a wage subsidy. More information on our next steps can be seen in the Looking Forward section of this letter.
For Businesses Still Searching for Employees:
We want to help you find staff for your 2022 operating season. We continue to host job listings on behalf of your business on the TSNN job board and Indeed profile. We will continue to collect resumes and send them your way. If you hire any employees, we will get them trained and provide you with a wage subsidy for the time worked up to March 31st, 2022. If the employment begins after April 1st, 2022, you will unfortunately not be able to claim a wage subsidy for this employee. However, if our application for a second round of funding is approved, there will be an opportunity to receive a wage subsidy for your registered 2022 seasonal staff or other employees who are hired after March 31, 2022.
Looking Forward:
Destination Northern Ontario has submitted an application to the Ministry to host a second round of the Tourism SkillsNet North program. If approved, DNO, NOTO and OTEC will work together to provide a new suite of training programs for employees, continue to match job seekers with participating employers, provide a wage subsidy to participating employers and seasonal employers will be given the option to continue in the program for Round 2 and be eligible for a wage subsidy from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. DNO is still waiting for a response on the application. We will advise the industry once we know more.
If you have any questions about this update, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the TSNN team.
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REMINDERS
Opportunities to Provide Feedback
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2021 Ontario Wildland Fire Season After-Action Review
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) is conducting a thorough review of the 2021 wildland fire season for continuous improvement. We want to hear from stakeholders from the tourism sector in Northwestern Ontario about their experiences.
Please take a few minutes to provide us with some feedback on the following:
- What issues did you experience through the 2021 wildfire season?
- How would you like to see the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) change or improve their operations?
- Are there opportunities you can identify where the tourism sector and AFFES can work together to achieve common goals associated with wildland fire?
NOTO will be collecting all of the feedback and share the comments with the AFFES. All feedback will remain anonymous.
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Proposal to Strengthen Guide Requirements for Non-Resident White-Tailed Deer Hunters in Northern Ontario
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking to engage the tourism industry and other interested parties on potential ideas and approaches to strengthen/expand guide requirements for non-resident white-tailed deer hunters in northern Ontario.
The Ministry invites you to complete the following survey to provide input on non-resident deer hunting and potential changes to guide requirements for non-resident white-tailed deer hunters in Northern Ontario. The survey closes on March 25, 2022.
NOTO is also keenly interested in hearing directly from operators regarding their thoughts in order to prepare for upcoming discussions. Please share with us by emailing laurie@noto.net.
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Seeking Feedback on a Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou in Ontario
Ontario and Canada have been working together on a bilateral conservation agreement for boreal caribou under section 11 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).
The Government has shared the proposal regarding the conservation agreement for boreal caribou, which has been posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for public consultation, that includes commitments being considered by both Ontario and Canada.
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Pre-Budget Consultations
The Government of Canada has launched their pre-budget consultations. This is an opportunity for Canadians and businesses across the country to share ideas and input about how Budget 2022 can support a strong economic recovery for everyone.
NOTO, as always, will be making a submission with recommendations. We encourage operators to take this opportunity to encourage changes and extensions of tourism specific financial support programs like wage subsidies and forgiveness of loans etc. or any other programs that you feel will help your business move into recovery.
Click on the button below to submit your comments. Deadline February 25, 2022.
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Early Bird Promotion for 2022 Memberships Now Available!
Renew your membership or join NOTO before March 31st, 2022 to be entered for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize Draw! *Prize to be announced at a later date.
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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 for your support!
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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.
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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 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
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