In Today's Update
- A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- Ontario's Tourism Economic Recovery Report
- Most of Ontario Moving to Step 2 on June 30th
- Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant Extension
- Travel Restrictions Update
- Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway - Next Round of Winners TBA on Wednesday, June 30th
- TIAO Calls Next Week
- Need Staff? Tourism SkillsNet North Can Help
- Forestry Notices
- 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
If you are a regular NOTO member, you should have received an invoice in your email earlier this week. Preferred Supplier and Associate Members will receive theirs shortly. We know that this pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty but please rest assured that NOTO is committed to working with you if you require payment assistance.
As an organization that relies solely on memberships, your membership is of great importance to us. We encourage those of you who aren't members to consider joining our organization. To view more information on memberships, please click here.
We promise we will keep advocating to get the Canada-US border open, advocate for additional financial support, press to get a bigger portions of the loans forgivable and to get the payback dates pushed back to allow more time for recovery.
Next week NOTO will be elevating our efforts on these two fronts in a big way. We will provide more details early next week.
Please take note that the Ontario Tourism & Travel Small Business Support Grant application deadline has been extended to July 9th. Apply now if you have not yet to get this non-repayable support from the Province of Ontario.
Be well,
Laurie
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Ontario's Tourism Economic Recovery Report
This week, the Government released the report prepared by the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, which made recommendations on how to support the recovery of the tourism industry following the impacts of COVID-19.
The report provides 10 recommendations about how to rebuild and reshape the future of Ontario’s tourism industry. The recommendations include reducing red tape for tourism businesses, restoring consumer confidence in visitors through collaboration between public health officials and the tourism industry and encouraging Ontarians to experience the province through industry coordinated travel days.
The Government will now review these recommendations and input components into the development of the ministry's strategic five-year plan. To view the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force report, please click here.
Over the next few weeks, NOTO will turn it's focus on the implementation of the action items identified in the ministerial task force report to ensure that the items will help with the recovery of the Northern Ontario tourism industry.
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Most of Ontario Moving to Step Two on June 30th
Effective on June 25th, the Porcupine health unit will move into Step 1. The Porcupine Health Unit has declared that they will not move into Step 2 with the rest of the Province on June 30th as they are taking a cautious approach to reopening. Waterloo region will also remain in Step 1. For areas remaining in Step 1, all regulations listed under O. Reg. 82/20 will continue to apply.
The remainder of the province will be moving into Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen on June 30th. Step two focuses on the resumption of additional outdoor activities, therefore not much will change for our sector. For areas entering Step 2, the following regulations will begin to apply as of June 30th (O. Reg. 488/21):
Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (Schedule 2 - #1)
- No indoor dining.
- No buffet-style service.
- Patrons must be seated at all times.
- Tables must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by a distance of two metres, or plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
- No more than six people per table, unless everyone seated at the table is from the same household.
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Must record the name and contact information of every patron that enters the outdoor dining area & maintain the records for a period of at least one month. You must only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act upon request.
- Must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits of the outdoor dining area.
- Must actively screen patrons (must ask COVID-19 questionnaire about symptoms/quarantine requirements) before allowing patrons to enter the premises of the establishment.
Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other rental accommodations (Schedule 2 - #6)
- Any indoor pools, communal steam rooms, saunas or indoor whirlpools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed.
Outdoor recreational amenities (Schedule 2 - #20)
- Open with physical distancing in place.
Tour and guide services (Schedule 2 - #32)
Outdoor tour and guide services, including guided hunting and fishing trips, trail riding tours, walking tours and bicycle tours may open if they comply with the following conditions:
- Every person not from the same household must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person
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The person responsible for the business must record the name and contact information of every patron that participates in the tour/guide service and maintain the records for a period of at least one month. You must only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act upon request.
- The person responsible for the business must actively screen employees and and patrons (must ask COVID-19 questionnaire about symptoms/quarantine requirements).
Marinas, boating clubs etc. (Schedule 2 - #34)
- Any clubhouse, restaurant, indoor pool, communal steam room, sauna or indoor whirlpool, meeting room, indoor fitness centre or other indoor recreational facility on the premises must be closed to the public, except for any portion of those areas that is used to provide first aid services, is used to provide take-out or delivery service or outdoor dining, or contains a washroom.
Campgrounds (Schedule 2 - #38)
Campgrounds may open if they comply with the following condition:
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Any restaurant, indoor pool, communal steam room, sauna or indoor whirlpool, meeting room, indoor fitness centre or other indoor recreational facility on the premises must be closed to the public, except for any portion of those areas that is used to provide first aid services, is used to provide take-out or delivery service or outdoor dining or contains a washroom.
Gatherings
- Indoor - 5 individuals
- Outdoor - 25 individuals
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Do You Have Your COVID Protocols in Place?
It is Regulation.
Before you open it is very important that you comply with all of the regulations listed and have implemented enhanced health and safety protocols. Any business which is permitted to be open at this time must have their safety plan/protocols in place that can be made available if a health official or enforcement officer requests to see it.
A safety plan is essentially a document highlighting all your health and safety protocols, COVID-19 protocols, and your plan in the event that an employee or guests develops COVID-19 at your workplace.
You may consult and implement NOTO's health and safety protocols to help you comply with all the health and safety requirements. This document covers all aspects of the resource-based tourism industry from road-based and fly-in operations to houseboats and campgrounds, and have been vetted by the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS). Simply pull the components that best suit your business model and build your own document. Reach out if you need help.
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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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Travel Restrictions Update
Effective July 5th, fully vaccinated individuals and permanent residents already permitted to enter Canada under the current travel restrictions will be able to enter Canada without quarantining. Those entering Canada will need to show documents that prove they have received two doses at least 14 days prior to entering the country. Travellers will still need to electronically submit COVID-19-related information in the ArriveCAN app before arriving, take a pre- and on-arrival test, be asymptomatic and still have a suitable quarantine plan to present upon arrival. Once approved, travellers will not need to quarantine. Canadians are still being advised to avoid non-essential travel at this time. All non-essential travel continues to be prohibited.
The Canada-US border closure has been extended to July 21st. Several political members on both sides of the border from all parties, as well as countless sector organizations, mayors, and business owners have been applying pressure to get the Canada-US border open to fully vaccinated Americans.
Keep the messages to Government Going!
The work that TIAC has done with the Open The Border campaign has been strong and received a good amount of media and Government attention. NOTO has supported this campaign through letters and calls to MPs. We encourage all of you to once again write a letter to your local MP as part of this campaign to help elevate the message. Visit https://www.openuscanborder.ca/home to participate in this important initiative. |
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Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway
Next Round of Winners!
Participating Operators: Take Advantage of the Advertising Opportunities!
Only a handful of participating operators have taken advantage of the free advertising opportunity on Fish'n Canada's website! In order to maximize your exposure through this contest, we highly encourage operators to take advantage of these opportunities! If you have any questions, e-mail kate@noto.net.
Want to Participate? There's Still Time!
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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TIAO Calls Next Week
Tuesday, June 29th
COVID-19 Northern Ontario Tourism Update Call
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Canada (Toll Free): 1 888 455 1389
Canada: 1 (647) 497-9391
Access Code: 144-203-493
COVID-19 Ontario Tourism Update Call
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Canada (Toll Free): 1 888 299 1889
Canada: 1 (647) 497-9373
Access Code: 904-529-661
Thank you,
The TIAO team
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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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Forestry Notices
NOTO would like to take this opportunity to remind operators of the importance of staying up-to-date on the forestry activities happening in your region. We encourage all operators to take some time to review Forest Management Plans (FMP) and to participate in the consultations to ensure your business values are respected in the development of an FMP.
The latest notices NOTO has received are listed below:
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Invitation to Participate: 2023-2033 FMP for Whiskey Jack Forest - Closes July 1st
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Review of Draft FMP: Kenora Forest - Closes July 5th
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Review of Draft FMP: Ottawa Valley Forest - Closes July 5th
- Review of Amendment for Wabigoon Forest FMP - Closes June 30th
- Review of Amendment for Dryden Forest FMP - Closes July 2nd
- Review of Proposed Operation for Abitibi Forest FMP - Closes July 11th
- Review of Draft FMP: Whitefeather Forest - Closes July 23rd
To view the notices and to participate in the consultation, please click on the button below. To receive notices for your Forest Management Unit directly in your inbox, register an account on the MNRF's new forestry website by clicking the button below as well.
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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 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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