- NOTO's Advocacy Efforts Continue
- Ontario Government News
- Federal Government News
- US/Canada Border Reflections
- Tele-Townhall with Minister MacLeod - Monday
- Adapt 2020 Webinar - Next Thursday
- TIAC Survey
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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NOTO's Advocacy Efforts Continue
As the reality of a very limited summer season and the potential loss of a fall season for those who offer fall hunting packages to non-resident guests, we are focused on lobbying on financial support from both Provincial and Federal Governments that will help our resource-based tourism sector survive to 2021.
Each and every day we are talking with MPs and MPPs and decision makers to ensure they realize that in order to help the Ontario/Canadian economy recover from COVID-19, they must invest in our tourism sector now. As discussions continue we will be coming to you with surveys specific to our sector. We need data to ensure our recommendations for stimulus packages will be most effective and inclusive.
We know that you are feeling surveyed out but we encourage you all to continue to take the time to complete them. TIAC, TIAO and NOTO are all collecting data that is supporting advocacy work for tourism at different levels. We must use all of these organizations and their connections to be successful.
In advance of our NOTO survey being sent out, I would ask that if you haven't prepared these numbers yet, please calculate your fixed costs broken down monthly and be prepared to share those numbers with us. Another piece that we are missing data on is how much our resorts and lodges as well as their guests spend in our local communities. In order to stress the true impact of COVID on tourism, this data must be included. We are looking at ways to gather this data and will be back to you in the coming week or so. As always, we will not be sharing your individual information. Aggregate information will be used to show the realities our sector of tourism is facing.
We are expecting announcements to be made next week from our Provincial Government for tourism. We will keep you posted.
We know these are very difficult times and we want you to know that we are right here with you, We are working hard for all of you and will continue to do so. Tourism Counts but most importantly YOU count!!
Be well,
Laurie
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Ontario Government News
State of Emergency & Emergency Orders:
The Ontario government has
extended all emergency orders
currently in force that were made under s.7.0.2(4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to July 22, 2020. The State of Emergency remain in effect until July 15th, with possibility of extension depending on whether the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 is passed. All current restrictions can be seen on our COVID-19 Page under the
Provincial Government News Section
.
Proposed COVID-19 Related Acts:
Earlier this week, the government introduced the
Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020
. I
f passed, this act will ensure important measures remain in place to address the threat of COVID-19 once the provincial declaration of emergency has ended. Specifically, the legislation would:
- 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.
Expanding Broadband Access:
Up to 12 per cent of households in the province - mostly in rural, remote or northern areas - don't have adequate broadband service, according to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
The province is also looking at
expanding broadband access
to areas across Ontario that do not meet the national standards for broadband speeds. These areas would be eligible for provincial funding.
Telecommunication service providers, municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profits are invited to
submit innovative proposals
and lend their investment, expertise and experience to improve connectivity in communities across Ontario. The preliminary application deadline for the first intake of the ICON program is August 21, 2020.
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Economic and Fiscal Snapshot:
This week, Finance Minister Bill Morneau gave a fiscal update and released an “Economic and Fiscal Snapshot” outlining the details of Canada’s current economic conditions.
Click here to view the highlights.
In his snapshot, Minister Morneau recognized tourism’s disproportionate burden of the negative impacts as a result of COVID-19 which indicates that government is listening and understands the gravity of the situation faced by the travel sector.
CEWS:
An additional $50 billion will be allocated to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and it is expected that an extension will be announced shortly. The amendments to the eligibility requirements are still in need of being approved through Parliament.
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US/Canada Border Reflections
We have had several calls and emails from operators seeking clarification on the status of the border. Here is what we know based on the announcements over the last couple of weeks:
- The closure of the US/Canada border at this time will continue until July 21st, 2020 with a possible extension.
- On June 30th, the Government of Canada extended the Emergency Order requirements related to mandatory isolation and quarantine until August 31, 2020, for travellers entering Canada. Anyone entering Canada—whether by air, land or sea—will continue to be required to isolate for 14 days if they have COVID-19, or have reasonable grounds to suspect that they have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or quarantine for 14 days if they do not have signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
We also know that the COVID cases are at an all time high in the US with no signs of slowing down.
It is becoming more and more apparent that the US/Canada border opening before the end of this summer season is not likely. This is why we must focus our efforts on securing meaningful financial support from Government. This is not easy information to relay to all of you who are dependent on the US market.
We encourage each of you to look to the current Government programs if you haven't already at
Canada.ca
and keep us posted of any shortfalls or challenges in making application.
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Tele-Townhall with Minister MacLeod
Monday, July 13, 2020 - 3 PM (EST)
Please join the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Ontario's Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries for the eigth telephone town hall to discuss the government's response to COVID-19.
Note: This call will be a dial-out call. You MUST provide a number you can be reached at in your registration to be able to join the call
.
Registration closes on July 12 at 9 p.m.,
so please register early to avoid disappointment.
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Adapt 2020 Webinar
Transition Financing During COVID-19
Presented by: Ryan Reynard, Executive Director, Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corp. (LOWBIC) and Michael Addison, General Manager, LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corp. (LAMBAC)
July 16th, 2020 - 11:00 am EDT
Concerned about how changing market conditions have impacted your financing?
Our objective is to ensure our members and community have access to resources that help them navigate the impacts of COVID-19 in Northern Ontario.
LaCloche Manitoulin Business Development Corporation (LAMBAC) and the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corp (LOWBIC) will be joining us on July 16th to share their insights on financing options and programs available to help operators in both the short and long term. After the presentation, there will be a live Q&A to answer questions about your lending options in these unprecedented times.
By the end of the webinar you should come away with an understanding of:
- COVID-19 lending options that are right for your business
- Considerations to take before approaching a lender
- How to find and contact your local CFDC
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Tourism Industry Association of Canada Survey
A Note from TIAC:
Dear stakeholder:
Please help us make a case to Government to address liquidity issues now.
The federal government has put several programs in place to provide support for businesses. These programs are meant to assist you during this difficult time but we know some of these short-term measures are not meeting the needs of the industry.
In order to help us help you, we need data showing where the gaps are and how some programs are not working as they were intended. The accessibility of loans through programs offered by EDC and BDC is falling short of meeting needs as many businesses are reporting being rejected outright; incredibly long waiting periods; unreasonably high interest rates; requirements to submit to costly and lengthy risk assessments, as well as myriad other issues.
The government is reviewing current programs but requires strong data showing where the shortfalls are. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has been advocating on your behalf for months now and we continue to press for extensions for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, changes to the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) and others.
Please complete this survey to help us make the case for much-needed change. Results of this survey will be shared with senior Government officials who influence these decisions.
We greatly appreciate your time and understand that we are asking you to complete another survey in the midst of a crisis period. Please know that we realize how valuable your time is, but in order to bring about change, we need to show how difficult it is for the industry to access loan programs. We also need to show the value of extending programs such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
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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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