In Today's Update
- A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- NOTO AGM & Elections Announcement
- Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week Announcement
- Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario
- CEWS, CERS, and CRB Set to Expire Saturday October 23rd
- Government of Canada Lifts Advisory Against Non-Essential Travel
- Tourism HR Canada's Propel Student Work Placement Program
- Vaccine Certificate FAQs
- Federal Government Announces Canada's COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination
- Announcement from TIAO
- Proposed Legislative Changes to the Public Lands Act
- Tourism SkillsNet North Announcements
- Ontario Tourism Resiliency Award Finalists
- Safe Travel 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
I wanted to start by thanking you for taking the time to read our newsletters each week. We hope that you find it helpful. If at anytime there is something that you would like us to provide more information on, just ask.
This week marked my first face-to-face meeting with travel since the beginning of this pandemic. I made a journey on Bearskin airlines from North Bay to Thunder Bay to meet with Minister Rickford, his staff, my fellow NOHFC Board members and the NOHFC staff. I must admit I was a little apprehensive but all went well and it was honestly fantastic to meet people that I had only met onscreen until now. The folks on the NOHFC Board are true northerners that have a wide range of expertise. I am honoured to work with them and the Minister on the important work that the NOHFC does.
After our two day meeting, I was shocked at how tired I felt. Two days of meetings and travel had been such a regular occurrence in the past. In any case, jumping right back into the thick of things by providing feedback and recommendations on everything from the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program, to new proposals for red tape reduction from a variety of ministries, tourism business supports and much more.
In the week ahead, I will be heading to TIAO's 2021 Ontario Tourism Summit in Ottawa, where I will join 250 delegates to reunite, learn and collaborate. I am looking forward to being in the same room as so many that I have know for such a long time. I will also be receiving the Ontario Tourism Champion Award at the gala on Wednesday night. I am truly touched beyond words and honoured by this recognition. There are so many of you that have inspired, mentored and encouraged me over my 30 years. Our NOTO Board members and Kate have been incredibly supportive and I can't thank them enough for their tireless work. Thank you to the tourism operators for trusting me with your stories, for taking me along with your journeys. Those conversations have helped inspire me to be a strong advocate for this sector and tourism as a whole. I look forward to continuing to serve. We still have much work to do!
I will also be there to join our partners from Destination Northern Ontario and TIAO to learn whether we will be winners of the Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards for our collaborative work on the RBT Sector Protocols and on our Northern Ontario Border Working Group. We are currently finalists in a number of categories. Regardless of whether we win or not, to be finalists is exciting and appreciated.
While I am away this week (Monday to Thursday), Kate ( kate@noto.net) and Bob Garson (705-253-4938) will be here to help with any pressing issues. I will be back behind the desk on Friday.
Be well,
Laurie
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Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards Finalist
We are very excited and honoured to share that two initiatives that NOTO has developed over the last year are being recognized as part of TIAO's Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards under the collaboration categories.
NOTO, Destination Northern Ontario and Tourism Industry Association of Ontario are also named as finalists in three categories for their creation and collaborative work of the Northern Ontario Border Working Group. The work of this group has led to the development of recommendations for reopening the Canada-US border that we are seeing reflected in recent activities of the Canadian Government.
It is an honour to be recognized and we want to take the opportunity to thank our partners Destination Northern Ontario and Tourism Industry Association of Ontario as well as the individual members of the Northern Border Working Group for their time and dedication to this challenging topic.
The award winners will be announced on October 27th at the Ontario Tourism Summit Gala.
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The Tourism Community in Northern Ontario Loses a Tremendous Voice
We were deeply saddened to learn that Nicole Guertin had left us peacefully on Monday, October 18th. She fought an incredibly courageous battle with cancer.
Nicole was a tremendously strong woman who had a relentless passion for the francophone tourism sector and collaboration. For those of us who had the pleasure of working with her, we know we are all better for having known her. She inspired a kinder and more inclusive way of thinking in many of us. She also showed us that it was important to give thanks but OK to keep asking for more.
She will never be forgotten.
For more details on Nicole's journey and her work in the Northern Ontario tourism industry click here.
Please support her last project that was so important to her, give to the NISKA Leadership and Entrepreneurship Fund www.temiskamingfoundation.ca
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NOTO AGM and Elections Announcement
NOTO AGM - Save the Date!
The NOTO AGM will be taking place virtually again this year on Thursday, November 18th, from 1pm to 2pm (EST), as part of the Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week. Registration for this even will launch next week.
NOTO Board of Directors Election
Similarly to last year, NOTO members will be able to submit their votes electronically, by mail, or by fax for the NOTO Board of Directors election in advance of the NOTO AGM. As always, NOTO members will be permitted to run from the floor at the NOTO AGM. To run from the floor, you must have paid your 2021 NOTO membership, and be endorsed by two other operators. It is recommended that where possible you have the nomination form completed and sent directly to laurie@noto.net or by fax 705-472-0621 prior to or during the AGM to simplify this process. The nomination form can be found HERE.
REMINDER: In order to vote in the NOTO elections or to run from the floor for a seat on the Board, you must have paid your 2021 NOTO membership. If you are unsure if you have paid, please contact NOTO staff.
The ballots will be sent to all paid NOTO members in the upcoming week. Keep an eye on your inbox!
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Registration Opens Monday!
Keep an eye on your inbox for session highlights and information on how to register!
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Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario
The Province released it's plan to safely reopen Ontario. The initial steps will begin on October 25th, 2021, with the removal of capacity limits where proof of vaccination is required which includes restaurants, bars, sports facilities, casinos, and indoor meeting and event spaces. Physical distancing requirements between patrons and 2m distancing between tables in restaurants and in event spaces will also be removed as of Monday.
Other business settings where proof of vaccination is currently not required will be permitted to open with no indoor capacity limits if they choose to opt-in to the proof of vaccination certificate program, otherwise, Step 3 capacity limits and physical distancing requirements will continue to apply. There will be a signage requirement at the entrance of the business for those who opt to join the proof of vaccination certificate program.
Active screening is still in place for settings with full capacity, as well as contact tracing. Listed below is the Province's outline for lifting all COVID-19 measures gradually. They anticipate removing all measures by March 28, 2022.
As of October 25th, 2021 - Removing capacity limits where proof of vaccination is required, this includes:
- Restaurants and bars;
- Sports and recreational fitness facilities; waterparks, and physical fitness training;
- Casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments; and
- Meeting and indoor event spaces
- Other settings will be permitted to remove capacity limits if they require (I.e., opt-in to) proof of vaccination, including but not limited to: Locations where a wedding, funeral, or religious service or rite or ceremony takes place; Personal care services (e.g., barber shops, salons, body art); Indoor areas of museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions (indoor only); Indoor areas or amusement parks; Indoor areas of fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals; Indoor tour and guide services; Boat tours; Indoor areas or marinas and boating clubs; Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities; Open house events provided by real estate agencies; Indoor areas of photography studios and services
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Full regulations regarding ‘opt-in’ settings and requirements are available here.
As of November 11th, 2021 - Removing capacity limits in high-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, this includes:
- Food or drink establishments with dance facilities (e.g., night clubs, wedding receptions in meeting and event spaces where there is dancing);
- Strip clubs; and
- Bathhouses and sex clubs
As of November 15th, 2021 to January 12th, 2022 - The provincial government will review the impact of the winter holidays, returning to school in January, etc.
Winter 2021-2022 - In the absence of concerning trends, Ontario will initiate gradual lifting of CMOH (Chief Medical Officer of Health) directives, capacity limits in settings where proof of vaccination is not required, and also lift vaccine certificate requirements as follows:
- As of January 17th, 2022 - Restaurants and bars, sports and recreational fitness facilities (e.g., gyms) and waterparks, casinos, bingo halls, etc.
- As of February 7th, 2022 - Night clubs, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs
- As of March 28th, 2022 - Meeting and event spaces, sporting events , concerts, theatres and cinemas, racing venues, commercial and film productions with studio audiences
March 28th, 2022 and onwards - All remaining public health and workplace safety measures in businesses and organizations lifted, including masking.
- Revoke public health Emergency Orders under the Reopening Ontario Act.
- Release guidance for specific settings if appropriate.
- Ontario will continue monitor key public health and health system indicators to identify changes that pose risk to Ontarians.
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CEWS, CERS and CRB Will Expire on October 23rd, 2021
Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Thursday that existing COVID-19 support programs will expire as scheduled on Saturday, including the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).
These programs will be replaced with two new, targeted programs: one is a wage and rent support program aimed at the tourism sector called the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program. An average monthly revenue decline of at least 40% is required to be eligible. The 12-month revenue decline would be calculated as the average of all revenue decline percentages for eligible organizations from March 2020 to February 2021. Any periods in which an entity was not carrying on its ordinary operations for reasons other than a public health restriction (for example, because it is a seasonal business) would be excluded from this calculation.
The second is called the Hardest Hit Business Recovery Program. It is aimed at employers that can show they have faced deep and enduring losses due to COVID-19. It will also provide wage and rent supports, up to a maximum subsidy of 50 per cent for businesses that have experienced a 75 per cent drop in revenue. These two programs will run until May 7, with support levels decreasing after March 13.
The minister also announced a new lockdown support program in the event that the pandemic leads to new restrictions on businesses, called the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit. It would provide $300 a week in income support for workers who are unable to work due to a lockdown.
Specifics on these new programs have yet to be made available. Once we receive any information on these new programs, we will feature them in our newsletter.
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The Government of Canada has lifted its advisory against non-essential international travel that has been in place since March 2020. In it's latest guidance, the Government is encouraging individuals to be aware that community transmission of COVID-19 continues in many countries and encourages travellers to be fully vaccinated and allow 14 days after your 2nd dose before travelling. If you are unvaccinated, the Government continues to encourage the avoidance of non-essential travel.
The Federal Government also continues to encourage all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to be aware of the public health measures of their potential destination, to be aware of the transmission of COVID-19, and to avoid all cruise ship travel outside of Canada.
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Tourism HR Canada's Propel Student Work Placement Program
About
Funded by the Government of Canada through the Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers registered Canadian businesses, startups and not-for-profits related to the tourism and hospitality sector a wage subsidy of up to 75 per cent of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500 for each student hired through the program (open until March 2022).
Students enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution can apply for a paid position at a qualified participating business to fulfil the co-op or internship component of their program. The position being covered must be a work-integrated learning opportunity for a post-secondary student in a tourism and hospitality related field: accommodations, food and beverage services, culinary, recreation, entertainment, culture, events, transportation, travel services, and more.
Criteria to qualify:
- Full- or part-time work-integrated learning opportunity
- A minimum of 20 hours a week
- A minimum of 4 weeks
- With a tourism/hospitality employer and/or related to a tourism/hospitality job function
- Taking place in a safe environment
- On-site, remote, and hybrid placements all eligible
- Not funded by other federal grants or programs (including Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy [CEWS] and Canada Recovery Hiring Program [CRHP])
- Student must be hired as an employee of the company (not as an independent contractor)
- Employer cannot hire an immediate family member, unless a clear, transparent, and fair nepotism policy is in place
- Student cannot be replacing a displaced worker or filling a role left vacant due to a labour dispute
Virtual Info Session - November 4th:
Tourism HR Canada is hosting a series of virtual info sessions on the Propel Student Work Placement Program, including an overview of the eligibility criteria and application process. A Q&A session with attendees follows the presentation.
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Vaccine Certificate FAQs
Ontario's enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate with QR codes for individuals and the Verify Ontario app which allows businesses to scan the vaccine certificate QR codes are now available for download for free on the Google Play and Apple Store. These two new tools will be make venturing out more convenient for fully vaccinated individuals and help businesses and organizations verify vaccination status much faster.
Where can I download my enhanced vaccine certificate?
Enhanced vaccine certificates with QR codes are available for download from the COVID-19 vaccination portal. You will need to have your green photo health card handy. People can save the electronic version of their vaccine certificate to their mobile device or print a paper copy.
Will original vaccine receipts continue to be accepted by businesses?
Businesses must accept both electronic and paper versions of vaccine certificates. Original vaccine receipts will continue to be accepted, but are no longer be available for download from the COVID-19 vaccination portal. If you haven't yet downloaded your proof of vaccination, you will be able to download the new enhanced vaccine certificate from Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination portal. Individuals will still be required to show a piece of identification with their name and date of of birth along with the QR code when visiting select businesses and organizations.
Individuals with a red and white health card or who wish to have their vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to them can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 between 8:00am and 8:00pm, 7 days a week.
What happens if someone received their COVID-19 vaccines outside of Ontario?
If you received your first or second COVID-19 vaccine dose out-of-province or out-of-country, contact your local public health unit. They will record your information and you will receive an Ontario receipt that you can access or print from the provincial booking portal.
International travelers will continue to use the ArriveCAN App as proof of vaccination. Only vaccines recognized by Health Canada are accepted as proof of vaccination (Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J)
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Federal Government Announces Canada's COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination
The Federal Government has announced that it will move forward with working with all of the provinces and territories to move forward with a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination. This will provide Canadian residents with a reliable way to demonstrate that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 when travelling within and outside of Canada.
Ontario's new enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate with the QR code already meets the national standards and is already in use today. Canadians can get their proof of vaccination from their province or territory (Canada.ca/vaccine-proof).
The standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination was designed with a common look that features the Canada wordmark. It will allow other countries and transportation providers, such as airlines and cruise ship operators, to recognize the proof as a trusted Canadian document regardless of the province or territory that issued it. The proof also complies with the SMART Health Card standard, which is used and recognized by many top travel destinations for Canadian travellers. The Government of Canada is actively engaging international partners to seek recognition and acceptance of the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination abroad.
ArriveCAN has been updated to digitally verify the authenticity of the new Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination, allowing Canadian officials to easily review it at the border. ArriveCAN users should update their app to ensure the latest functionality. If travellers do not have this new proof, they can continue to upload other proofs of vaccination in ArriveCAN.
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No TIAO Calls Next Week
There will be no TIAO calls on Tuesday, October 26th as they will be in Ottawa hosting the 2021 Ontario Tourism Summit.
Although in-person tickets for the 2021 Ontario Tourism Summit are sold out, you may still purchase tickets to attend the event virtually by clicking here.
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Proposed Legislative Changes to the Public Lands Act
Submit Your Comments Through the ERO (Link Included Below)
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) is proposing legislative changes to the Public Lands Act. These proposed changes are intended to support the government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden on business, and modernize government to be simpler, faster, and more cost-effective, without compromising public health, safety and the environment.
The proposed amendments to the Public Lands Act would:
- Provide the Minister explicit authority to set, charge, waive, change, or refund fees related to the management, use or disposition of public lands to provide for a more efficient approvals process.
- Provide the Minister explicit authority to make public lands-related decisions that currently rest with the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) to reduce the time needed for approvals.
- Prevent the loss of public lands without the Crown’s consent and for less than fair market value due to adverse possession by third parties, including providing the Minister with any necessary related authorities.
- Allow dispositions or transfers of lands bordering water bodies where less than 25 per cent of frontage would remain public land to support Indigenous community interests, land claim settlements, and local community and economic development. These proposed amendments are not intended to significantly increase dispositions along water bodies and the ministry will still be required to undertake any applicable environmental assessment process and fulfill the duty to consult obligations, should they arise, prior to making any individual land disposition decision.
You can review the proposal and provide comments using the following ERO link:
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Tourism SkillsNet North Announcements
Attention Employers:
We still have potential employees in the following regions where there are no employers registered:
- Timmins
- Mattawa
- Atikokan
- Evansville
If you are located in these towns and have any available vacant jobs, or know of any businesses that do, please register for the Tourism SkillsNet North Program!
Sunday Instructor-Led Courses Available:
We have heard from quite a few participating businesses that had concerns about the mandatory instructor-led course only being offered during the weekdays. As a result, a one-day instructor led training will be available on Sunday, October 31 2021 from 10am to 2pm (EDT).
Please be aware that we need a minimum of 6 participants to be able to move forward with these Sunday courses. Your employees will only need to attend one of the two dates.
To confirm your employee's attendance, please e-mail Juan (jpirela@otec.org) or Melody (myang@otec.org) at OTEC and they will provide you with the instructions on how to login to the virtual training course.
REMINDER:
If you have hired staff after June 1st, 2021, you can register them to the Tourism SkillsNet North program to have them trained and receive a wage subsidy! We understand that you may need all hands on deck, that's why we are committed to working with you to have your employees complete the e-training near or at the end of the operating season. As long as your employees complete the online training, you will receive a 30% wage subsidy (up to $3000) per employee!
Register your business and your employees today by clicking on the button below.
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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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Renew Your Membership or Join NOTO!
NOTO has extended 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 for your support!
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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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