In Today's Update
- Ontario's New COVID-19 Restrictions - What it all means?
- Ontario's Latest COVID-19 Modelling
- Border Closure Extension
- Federal Government Cabinet Shuffle
- MP's Petition for Federal Tourism Plan
- ADAPT 2020 Webinar on Safe Travels Stamp
- REMINDER: Transport Canada Proposal - last chance to submit comments*
- Funding Program Recap
- Update from the Toronto Sportsmen Show
- Early Bird Pricing for Memberships Now Available!
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's New COVID-19 Restrictions
The Ontario Government has declared a state of emergency. In addition to this, the Government has issued a stay-at-home order which will came into effect as of Thursday at 12:01am.
The stay-at-home order requires everyone to stay home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy. accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. Travel is not permitted during this time. This order was issued to limit people's mobility and reducing the number of daily contacts with those outside an immediate household. Businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does so. Please click here to view the Stay-at-Home regulations.
The following new COVID-19 restrictions will also apply:
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Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are restricted to a limit of five people.
- Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance.
- All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
- Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
All accommodation types (hotels, motels, lodges, resorts, cabins, cottages, etc.) will only be allowed to be open for those in need of housing during the emergency period (i.e. essential workers, those in need of a place to self-isolate). Bookings taken prior to January 14th will not be permitted unless they are providing necessary housing as referenced above. The Government also added a stipulation surrounding ice fishing huts. You may rent ice huts for day use only to members of the same household however no overnight accommodations.
Please remember, the Ontario Government has funding programs for businesses that are negatively impacted by lockdown orders. Please view the funding program recap section of this newsletter for all the details.
Under the declaration of the state of emergency, the province will provide authority to all enforcement and provincial offences officers including OPP, local police forces, bylaw officers and provincial workplace inspectors to issue tickets to those not complying with the stay-at-home order, or not wearing a face mask indoors and businesses who do not enforce COVID-19 regulations. Those who decide not to abide by orders will be subject to set fines and/or prosecution under both Acts.
In addition, all enforcement personnel will have the authority to temporarily close a premise and disperse individuals who are in contravention of an order, and will be able to disperse people who are gathering, regardless if a premise has been closed or remains open.
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Ontario's Latest COVID-19 Modelling
The modelling released on Tuesday showcases the following potential scenarios:
- At a growth rate of 1%, the province could see more than 5,000 COVID-19 cases daily by the end of February.
- At a growth rate of 3%, that number increases to about 10,000 cases.
- At a growth rate of 5%, it is possible to reach about 20,000 daily cases per day by the middle of February.
- At a growth rate of 7%, we could be seeing over 40,000 cases per day.
Ontario's current infection growth rate is 1.2%.
These numbers will also be fueled by the presence of the UK variant, which is more easily transmissible. Early studies of the UK variant show that although it is more easily transmissible, it does not cause greater illness, or increase risk of death. It also won't impact the effectiveness of vaccines. Ontario has seen 14 cases of this variant to date. Three cases were not traced to recent travel, meaning there could be community spread of this more contagious variant.
New COVID-19 modelling data shows that Ontario's ICUs will be filled beyond capacity by early February. Ontario can expect the daily COVID-19 mortality rate in the province to double from 50 deaths per day to about 100 deaths per day by the end of February.
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Border Closure Extended
Next Review February 21st, 2021
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that the Canada-US border closure to all non-essential travel will be extended to February 21st, 2021, with possibility of extension.
This comes as cases continue to soar in both countries and Provinces begin to implement lockdowns and tighter COVID-19 restrictions.
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Federal Government Cabinet Shuffle
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry has announced he will be leaving the cabinet and his decision not to run in the next election. In his statement, he states that he is stepping down to focus on family. Following this announcement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the following shuffle:
- Marc Garneau, currently Minister of Transport, becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Jim Carr joins the Ministry and will continue to serve as Special Representative for the Prairies.
- François-Philippe Champagne, currently Minister of Foreign Affairs, becomes Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
- Omar Alghabra, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Public Service Renewal) and to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, becomes Minister of Transport.
The Parliament resumes at the end of the month.
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Conservative MP Calls on Feds to Present a Tourism Plan
Conservative MP and Special Advisor to the Leader on Tourism Recovery, Tony Baldinelli, has sponsored a petition that calls upon the Federal Government to present a tourism recovery plan before the 2021 federal budget is announced.
MP Baldinelli highlights that the tourism industry has been hit first and hit the hardest, and will take longest to recover, that many businesses are facing temporary and permanent closures, that the Government has waited too long to provide sector-specific support and relief to the tourism and travel sectors, and that public confidence and demand for travel domestically and internationally has plummeted.
All operators are encouraged to sign the MP's petition by clicking on the button below. The deadline to sign this petition is February 7th, 2021 at 5pm (EST).
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ADAPT 2020 Webinar on Safe Travels Stamp
What is it, and Do I Qualify?
Presented by: Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
January 19th, 2021 at 11:00 am EST
What is the Safe Travels Stamp Program: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in conjunction with the industry, including Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), has created a self-certified Safe Travels Stamp. The Safe Travels Stamp program is based on the worldwide industry protocols the WTTC has put together for every aspect of the hospitality and tourism sector.
The specially designed Safe Travels Stamp will allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols - so consumers can experience 'Safe Travels'.
Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the Stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.
Join this webinar to learn more about the Safe Travels Stamp program and how you can get your Stamp!
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Transport Canada's Proposal to Eliminate Boating Safety Checklists - Last Chance to Submit Comments
IMPORTANT NOTE: Within these changes, TC is looking at repealing the provision for the Rental Boat Safety Checklist as being accepted as proof of competency. This would not be good for our industry. We highly recommend all operators submit comments by clicking on the button below. This forum will remain open until January 15th.
- Bringing grandfathered pleasure craft licenses (with no expiry date) into a five-year validity regime.
- Reducing the ten-year validity period for licenses (PCLs) to five years.
- Expanding the application of the SVR to include all pleasure craft equipped with motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more, including personal watercraft, which are principally maintained or operated in Canada; and all pleasure craft (including all power-driven and sail-alone vessels) above 6m in length, with the exception of human-powered vessels (e.g. kayak, canoe).
- Reducing the timeframe for vessel owners to report a name or address change from 90 days to 30 days, and specifying 30 days for the buyer to notify a sale or transfer of a vessel ensuring that updated information is available in the same boating season.
- Providing TC the authority to cancel a PCL if the license holder does not comply with regulatory requirements.
- Introducing a service fee of $15 for pleasure craft licenses thereby reducing the cost borne by taxpayers for providing this service.
- Strengthening course accreditation requirements & setting course accreditation to a five year renewal period.
- Providing TC the authority to suspend or revoke course accreditation if a course provider does not comply with regulatory requirements
- Providing TC the authority to cancel a Pleasure Craft Operator Card if it is deemed to have been obtained under fraudulent circumstances
- Repealing the provision for the Rental Boat Safety Checklist as being accepted as proof of competency
- Introducing a $5,000 accreditation fee to course providers every five years and a test materials access fee of $8.50 for each Pleasure Craft Operator Card issued.
To view NOTO's draft submission click HERE.
To view the CFOA report on the recent survey on the Rental Boat Safety Checklist click HERE.
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Funding Program Recap
Below is a list of all the Provincial and Federal Government support programs that are available. Please know that NOTO continues to advocate for the extension of these programs, for longer pay-back periods, for more loans to be forgivable, as well as advocate for programs that won't lead to additional debt. We also continue to work to ensure that operators can continue to access CEWS in the winter months. The Federal Government is expected to return to Parliament at the end of the month to pass additional measures announced in November, such as the HASCAP. If you click on the titles highlighted in blue, they will bring you to the appropriate website for the program.
The Ontario Small Business Support Grant: Applications will open in January 2021. This grant will provide a minimum $10,000 for all eligible businesses, and provide businesses with dollar-for-dollar funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue as a result of the December/January Lockdown. Businesses will be able to use this grant in whatever way makes most sense to them (i.e. paying wages, cover reoccurring costs, maintaining inventory, etc.) More details to come.
PPE, Property Tax and Energy Rebate Program: Businesses that have been required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to public health measures implemented under the red or lockdown zone categories can apply for rebates to help with fixed costs such as PPE (up to $1000), property tax and energy bills. Operators must submit proof of purchase for PPE costs, and submit the first electricity and property tax bill they receive after the public health measures come into effect.
COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Businesses: This program provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. This means up to $850 in support towards their electricity bill and up to $425 in support towards their natural gas bill. Operators must contact their electricity and/or natural gas provider to apply.
Northern Ontario Recovery Program: Although the program has been paused in November, we are hopeful we will see a second round in the spring. The NORP program offers up to $25,000 in grants to help businesses adjust to the impacts of COVID-19. The grant money must be used to implement changes to your business to comply with COVID-19 regulations and public health measures.
Employer Health Tax Relief: The Ontario Government has permanently increased the Employer Health Tax exemption from $490,000 to $1 million. This means qualifying employers would see a relief of up to $9,945 per year. If your business no longer needs to make instalment payments or file and EHT return as a result of this exemption, you do not need to notify the Ministry of Finance.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: CEWS covers up to 75% of employees’ wages for qualifying employers. This program will remain in effect until June, 2021.
Canada Emergency Business Account: CEBA provides up to $60,000 loans (up to $20,000 forgivable if paid by December 2022) to small businesses and not-for-profits that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19, but continue to face ongoing non-deferrable costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages. This program will remain open until March 31st, 2021 through banks and credit unions.
Regional Relief Recovery Fund: The RRRF provides unconditionally repayable and conditionally repayable contributions to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises, of up to a maximum of $500,000 for a period of up to twelve months (funding amounts vary based on needs of individual businesses). Businesses must show that they could not access other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief supports or that it can demonstrate the need for incremental support if funding was received from other programs. This program provides rural businesses in the North with access to capital through the Community Futures Network and FedNor, and businesses South of the Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka Districts through FedDev.
Business Credit Availability Program: This program makes loans more accessible to businesses of all types and sizes. Export Development Canada is working with financial institutions to guarantee loans for small and medium-sized enterprises to be used for operational expenses. The amount of financing depends on business revenues. This program is available at various banks and credit unions and will remain available until June 2021.
Canada Summer Jobs: This program provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees to create summer work for young people aged 15 to 30 years. This is not restricted to students. This program also allows employers to hire staff on a part-time basis. Applications close on January 29th.
Work Sharing Program: The work sharing program has been extended from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19. This will provide income support to employees eligible for EI who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: This program provides up to $500/week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers who are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family members because of school, day-case or face facility closures, or because the child or family member is sick and/or requires to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit: This program provides up to $500/week for a maximum of two weeks for any worker who is unable to work because they have contracted COVID-19, or are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19.
The Federal Government also announced the new Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program but the eligibility criteria has not been announced yet. This program is expected to pass in Government once the Federal Parliament reconvenes at the end of the month.
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An Update from the Toronto Sportsmen Show
We know many of you rely on the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show each year as a significant component of your business model. In these unprecedented times, we are working hard to continue delivering on our mission to connect your business with our qualified audience.
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the 2021 edition due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To continue to connect Toronto Boat & Sportsmen's Show exhibitor and audience we have developed a new product to help bridge the gap until the next in-person event.
Introducing our new Digital Marketing Platform, allowing users to visit our website and browse a comprehensive database of exhibitors by name, category, and more!
The strength of this platform is our ability to market the product to our established Toronto Sportsmen’s Show community, along with traditional paid media. Your exhibitor listing can easily be enhanced with video, images, and product specials. We’re confident this alternative to face-to-face marketing will be a fantastic tool to get your products and services in front of a targeted audience of boating, fishing, and hunting enthusiasts.
Click on the button below for more details!
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Early Bird Pricing Now Available!
Join now or renew your membership to save and be entered for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize!
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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
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.
All prices listed above include HST. Memberships are renewed annually and run from June to June. Early bird pricing for 2021 memberships will remain available until March 31st, 2021. Regular members who renew or join will have a chance to win the Early Bird Prize! Prize to be announced* Last year's prize was a drone.
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 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.
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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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