In Today's Update
- Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- Workforce Development Training Survey
- Update on the Tourism Funding Programs
- TSSA Reminder
- Good News for US Camp Owners!
- Lunch & Learn Webinar with Minister MacLeod
- TIAO Calls Next Tuesday
- G20 Ministers Meet to Discuss Supporting the Recovery of Travel and Tourism
- Adapt 2021: WSIB Excellence Program
- Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway Update - Notes for winners, participating lodges
- 2021 Ontario Conservation Officer of the Year
- MNRF Seeking Feedback on Forest Biomass Action Plan
- Safe Travels 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:
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A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
First, I would like to wish all Mothers a very Happy Mother's Day!! I hope you all take some time for yourselves today.
As we all look with anticipation towards May 20th, we are continuing to look for ways that we can help operators manage the challenges that face them for this upcoming summer season. Many of you have told me that this year at this point seems worse than last year. We hear you and we are working hard to try to remove some of the barriers in front of you.
We are continuing to lobby for more and continued financial support programs that do not increase your debt load. We are also pushing Government to provide more notice on their plans for lockdown and re-opening as well and their plans for the border. We are reminding all levels of Government that our sector has prepared themselves with comprehensive COVID protocols and are part of a safe travel strategy.
You will note this week that we released a workforce survey. We understand that many of you are uncertain whether you will be able to hire staff or even need staff this season. We also know that before COVID hit our sector was already dealing with a huge labour gap. This new project described below is attempting to build a strong workforce that will help to fill this gap with a group of people that have the skillsets that you need to run your business and serve your clients. I encourage you to complete this survey to help us better understand your needs. This survey will close on Wednesday, May 12th at 4pm.
I would like to close today by thanking all of your for staying engaged with us and sharing your experiences, ideas and coming to us with questions. It truly helps us help you. I would also remind you that NOTO has extended our early bird rates for the full year. We encourage you to consider joining NOTO this year at whichever membership rate suits you best. This tourism industry community is valuable and we are making a mark with all levels of Government. Let's keep making it stronger.
Be well,
Laurie
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Workforce Development Training Survey
In collaboration with Ontario Tourism Education Corporation, Destination Northern Ontario, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, District Social Services Administration Boards and Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Boards, we are reaching out to tourism business operators across Northern Ontario (Regional Tourism Organization 13) to gather information on the impact COVID-19 may be having on their operations.
The data collected in this survey will help analyze and identify specific workforce labour gaps and available opportunities within Northern Ontario’s tourism sector. The results will also aid to understand and support the skills and talent needs of the tourism sector to develop and deliver skills training to meet the labour gaps identified by you, the employer. The result will be to address the needs of the local labour market and employers that have been impacted by the pandemic.
Ultimately, the program will assist in the identification and training of 300 potential employees and match them with a minimum of 150 employers within Northern Ontario’s tourism sector, as you scale up for the year of the Ontario Staycation. Qualified employers will be eligible for a 30% wage subsidy to $3,000 per employee.
We understand that there is still a considerable amount of uncertainty for the months ahead. As organizations work to develop supports for tourism businesses around workforce gaps, we would appreciate your time to help us focus our work.
Your input is important, and any information that you can provide is appreciated.
The survey will close Wednesday, May 12th at 4pm.
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Update on the Tourism Funding Programs
Earlier this week NOTO Executive Director participated in a rescheduled TIAO Tourism Day at Queen's Park meeting with Minister Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. During the brief meeting the tourism group presented the need for the tourism funding supports that were recently announced as part of the 2021 Budget (which has now passed) to be implemented and made available to tourism businesses as soon as possible.
Minister Bethlenfalvy and his staff reported that the new Ontario Tourism Small Business Support grant implementation is "imminent" and the Tourism Relief Fund will take closer to a month to set up and have ready to receive applications. We are all eager to see more details regarding these two critical programs for our sector.
As soon as details become available to share we will send out an update.
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TSSA Reminder Regarding Dispensing Fuel
The 2020 summer season saw an immense increase of recreational boaters on our waterways in some areas of Ontario. More boaters means more people that could potentially come to your dock looking for fuel.
NOTO and TSSA want to remind Camp operators, if you wish to sell fuel to anyone other than your guests, you must have a marina license. This would move you from a Private Fuel Outlet (PFO) that requires no license to a marina.
A marina license is required if you are dispensing fuel directly into the fuel tanks of watercraft. A full serve gas station license is required if you are dispensing fuel into vehicles or portable containers for the public.
Remember, these additional licenses will come with additional regulations and requirements that you will have to comply with.
To learn more about how to apply for these additional licenses you can visit:
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Good News for US Camp Owners!
CBSA changes direction regarding the entry of US Camp owners
Camp Owners,
NOTO and KDCA have successfully advocated that US Camp owners should be permitted to enter Canada during Ontario's current Stay At Home Order.
We learned early Tuesday, May 4th that the following letter was being sent out that day to US Camp owner who had their Work Permit appointments cancelled over the last two weeks.
The NOTO Office has confirmed that all Northern US/Canada border crossings are proceeding in the same manner. If you have not done so already contact your border crossing to reschedule your appointment if you have completed all of your necessary paperwork and are ready to cross.
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This email is to follow up with the suspension in issuance of Work Permits coinciding with the Stay-At-Home Order currently in effect in the province of Ontario.
Further consultation with the CBSA COVID Taskforce has resulted in a determination being made that CBSA will resume the issuance of Work Permits at Ports of Entry for camp owners effective immediately pending:
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the applicants meet the requirements for issuance of their requested Work Permit AND
- the Public Health Agency of Canada regulations for pre-arrival/post arrival testing and quarantine plans are met.
If you should have any further questions or would like to reschedule any cancelled appointments, please contact your intended Port of Entry at your earliest convenience.
Immigration Team
Canada Border Services Agency/Agence des services frontaliers du Canada
Northern Ontario Region/Region du Nord de l'Ontario
Fort Frances Port of Entry/Fort Frances Port d'Entree
101 Church Street/101 Rue Church
Fort Frances, Ontario
P9A 3X8 (807) -274-3655
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A Message from Minister MacLeod:
Join us for a lunch-and-learn webinar and #Lunch4Local
Register Today! May 10th at 12 p.m. (EDT)
Friends,
I’d like to invite you to join me on May 10 at 12 noon for a lunch-and-learn webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on the heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries with special guests:
- Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health
- Darryl Bricker, CEO, IPSOS Public Affairs
For lunch, I encourage you to show your love for local by ordering take-out from your favourite restaurant and share a photo to social media using the hashtag #Local4Lunch.
Let’s support our restaurants and get this hashtag trending! I’m looking forward to seeing you and lunching for local on May 10th.
Kind regards,
Hon. Lisa MacLeod
Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
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TIAO Calls - Tuesday May 11
COVID-19 Northern Ontario Tourism Update Call
Tue, May 11, 2021 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM (EDT)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 933-600-541
COVID-19 Tourism Industry Update Call
Tue, May 11, 2021 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 328-764-805
Thank you,
The TIAO team.
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On May 4th, the G20 Ministers of Tourism and representatives of international organizations gathered virtually to discuss measures which will guide the recovery of the tourism sector. The G20 agenda aims at defining the policies needed to build a better normal and to ensure the relaunch of sustainable and inclusive growth.
The travel and tourism sector, which created 1 in 4 net new jobs in the world between 2014-2019, saw its contribution to global GDP dropping by 49.1% in 2020.
The meeting emphasized that the resumption of travel and tourism is crucial for global economic recovery. While the pandemic has been undeniably challenging for the tourism industry, the attendees also discussed how the crisis presents an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future to create a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive sector.
At the meeting, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages highlighted Canada’s support for the tourism sector and the importance of governments working together to help recovery. You can read Minister Joly’s full statement by clicking here.
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WSIB Excellence Program
May 12th, 2021 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT
Presented by: Lisa Dupuis and Becky Chiarot, WSIB Excellence Consultants
Our program meets you where you are - whether you are building a health and safety program from scratch, or enhancing an existing program.
Here's what our program offers to businesses:
- Support and guidance from a WSIB-approved provider
- Pandemic readiness materials to help you meet the challenges of operating safely during a pandemic and reduce COVID-19 related hazards in the workplace
- Flexible program options to make it easy to join
- Recognition to show employees, customers, and investors your commitment to health and safety
- Earn recognition with our new health and safety excellence badges
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Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway Update
A note to our first round of winning lodges:
Fish'n Canada has sent release forms to each of the winning contestants. Once we receive the signed forms, we will e-mail each of you with your next steps as well as the contact information for the winners of your trip.
Great news for all participating lodges!
Looking to Participate?
If you haven't submitted an application yet, you can still do so. We've had a number of resource-based tourism businesses submit their packages for this program which highlight the great variety of unique experiences Northern Ontario has to offer! The contest will run until August so it's never too late to join in on the action. Please remember, awarded trips can be fulfilled in 2021 OR 2022.
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2021 Ontario Conservation Officer
of the Year
Sudbury - The Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) is pleased to announce that Peter Koskela has been selected as the 2021 Conservation Officer of the Year. Peter is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Sudbury Enforcement Unit working out of the Sudbury office.
Peter has held a variety of positions in a career with the MNRF that has spanned over 30 years, the last 22 years of which have been as a Conservation Officer in Gogama and Sudbury. Throughout his career he has proven to be a competent and skillful investigator who maintains excellent working relationships with other enforcement agencies who value and respect his investigation skills. This respect is evident in the 26 letters of commendation that supported his nomination for this award.
“Peter is a dedicated officer who goes above and beyond to see an investigation through, including working long hours and leaving no stone unturned and until he is satisfied that he has collected all the evidence available.” said OCOA President Sean Cronsberry, “Peter isn’t the type of person who requires public recognition or acknowledgement for the work he does, he takes pride in his job and finds personal gratification in completing his duties to the best of his abilities. It is an honour and a privilege to publicly recognize Peter for his accomplishments.”
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MNRF Seeking Feedback on Forest Biomass Action Plan
Ontario's Draft Forest Biomass Action Plan examines innovative uses of forest biomass: mill by-products and other wood matter with applications from heat and power generation to sustainable, low-carbon consumer products.
The draft action plan outlines five objectives:
- identifying pathways to markets for forest biomass
- supporting demand for forest bioenergy and bioproducts
- improving the business and regulatory environments for the use of forest biomass
- supporting holistic, culturally relevant pathways for Indigenous community involvement in forest biomass value chains to support reconciliation between Indigenous communities and the Crown
- communicating, collaborating and informing on forest biomass opportunities.
Consultation on the draft Forest Biomass Action Plan through the Environmental Registry will close June 21, 2021.
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Get Your Safe Travel 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’.
NOTO's health and safety protocols, which have been vetted by the Government of Ontario have been recognized as standardized protocols for this purpose.
If you've implemented our protocols, or any other Government approved protocols throughout your workplace, apply to receive your stamp!
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Renew Your Membership or Join NOTO!
Great news! The NOTO Board of Directors is extending the early bird membership pricing for the remainder of 2021!
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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 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 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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