In Today's Update
- A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- NOTO's Press Conference About the Canada-US Border Closure
- Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway - Congratulations to our 3rd Round of Winners!
- Ontario Now in Step 2
- TIAO Calls Next Week
- Ontario Northland Resumes All Bus Routes
- Tourism SkillsNet North
- Ontario Tourism & Travel Small Business Support Grant Extension - Deadline July 9th*
- 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
Laurie Marcil
This week NOTO worked with partners and operators across the north to elevate the need for reopening the border by July 22nd for fully vaccinated Americans. We received a good amount of media coverage and are proceeding with ensuring Government Officials are getting our messages.
We expect to have further discussions with Federal Government officials over the coming weeks and will continue to apply pressure. We remain optimistic that we will see this first step to reopening the border begin before the end of July.
NOTO is also looking for tourism business owners that are seeking staff to participate in the Tourism SkillsNet North Program. If you are looking for new people or rehiring staff, this program can help by providing training and a subsidy for each placement. Contact Kate or I this week. The first training cohort of the program starts July 5th and we would like to have each person placed with an employer before they complete their training. For more details see the article in this newsletter.
Over the coming weeks we will continue to advocate for the plan to reopen the border and for additional financial support for our sector. We will increase our efforts to get loan payment extensions and more non-repayable portions of current loans as well as more non-repayable financial assistance for those in our sector who have been hardest hit.
Be well,
Laurie
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NOTO's Press Conference About the Border Closure |
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On June 29th, 2021, NOTO held a press conference with operators from across Northern Ontario.
The goal of this press conference was to get the Federal Government's attention on the urgent need to get the Canada-US border open so that operators can salvage what remains of the season.
Participating speakers, composed of operators across the North, shared their stories on how the Canada-US border closure has impacted them and their businesses, and what will happen if the border remains closed and there is no additional Government supports.
NOTO is calling on the Canadian Government to open the Canada-US border on July 22nd to fully vaccinated Americans and global travelers.
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NOTO's Press Conference in the News
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Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway
Congratulations to our 3rd Round of Winners!
- Excellent Adventure Outposts
- Bull Lake Outfitters
- Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge
- Moosehorn Lodge (Sioux Lookout)
- Memquisit Lodge
All winning individuals were sent a release form from Fish'n Canada. Once we receive the signed release forms, we will contact you with the name and contact information of the winners of your trip, along with information about your next steps.
Want to Participate? There's Still Time! - Two More Draws Remain!
15 out of 25 trips have been awarded so far!
If you haven't submitted an application yet, you can still do so. We've had over 50 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 not too late to join in on the action. Please remember, awarded trips can be fulfilled in 2021 OR 2022.
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Ontario Now in Step 2
New Regulations in Effect as of June 30th
All of Ontario, with exception of Waterloo Region, have entered Step 2 of Ontario's reopening plan. Step two focuses on the resumption of additional outdoor activities, therefore not much has changed for our sector.
For Waterloo Region, all regulations listed under O. Reg. 82/20 will continue to apply.
All operators who are open must ensure they comply with all of the regulations listed and have implemented enhanced health and safety protocols. All operators must also have a safety plan in place (essentially a document highlighting your protocols as well as your plan in the event that someone develops COVID-19 at your workplace). Please consult NOTO's health and safety protocols to help you build your plan. |
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TIAO Calls Next Week
Tuesday, July 6th
COVID-19 Northern Ontario Tourism Update Call
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 246-932-517
COVID-19 Ontario Tourism Update Call
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 235-279-133
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Ontario Northland Resumes All Bus Routes
COVID-19 safety protocols will remain in effect for all passengers, including a pre-boarding health screen, non-medical masks or face-coverings worn at all times on buses and increased cleaning and sanitization of all high touch-point areas.
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Tourism SkillsNet North
Tourism SkillsNet North (TSNN) is designed to identify specific workforce labour gaps, train up to 300 potential employees and match them with available job opportunities within Northern Ontario’s tourism sector.
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 tourism operators scale up for the year of the Ontario Staycation.
Qualified employers will be eligible for a 30% wage subsidy up to $3,000 per employee.
We are very excited to announce that the first training cohort is beginning which means we have people who are looking for job placements! If you are in need of staff and interested in providing a placement, please register by clicking on the button below!
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Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant Application Deadline Extension
The Government has extended the application deadline for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant until July 9, 2021.
The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant provides one-time payments of a minimum of $10,000, and up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector. To be eligible for this grant, your business:
- did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- operates a tourism or travel business in Ontario that:
- opened before 2021, and
- was still in operation on April 30, 2021.
- had 99 or fewer employees on April 30, 2021.
- has experienced a revenue decline of at least 20% if you began operating or acquired the business before July 2, 2019
- Businesses that began operating or were acquired on or after July 2, 2019 and before January 1, 2021, will receive the $10,000 minimum grant if they meet all the eligibility criteria.
- Businesses that began operating or were acquired in 2021 are not eligible for the grant.
Click on the button below for more information and to submit an application.
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Study Being Conducted on Processes for Decommissioning Fuel Sites
MECP, MGCS and TSSA are engaging with stakeholders as we work together on fulfilling a recommendation of the Auditor General.
The Recommendation:
To reduce the risk of contamination spreading on and beyond abandoned fuel sites, we recommend that the TSSA ...work together with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services [MGCS] and the Ministry of
Environment, Conservation and Parks [MECP] to develop a long-term funding strategy to remediate abandoned fuel sites.
As part of this process NOTO has been asked to provide input surrounding the impacts of abandoned fuel sites and the processes required to decommission fuel sites on behalf of the RBT sector.
The purpose of this engagement is to seek stakeholder input to:
• Ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of the issue,
• Better understand stakeholder concerns regarding abandoned fuel sites and
• Seek stakeholder insight into possible solutions.
To ensure we are well informed of any existing issues, impacts, concerns or suggestions for improvement on future policies, we are asking tourism operators to reach out to us at your earliest convenience. We are asking you to share your experiences with us in confidence.
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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!
If you were a member in 2019 and/or 2020 and have not yet renewed your membership, please note traditional invoices for membership will be sent out in June. This year they will be at the early bird rate.
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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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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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