In Today's Update
- A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- NOTO's Board of Directors Election Results
- Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week Ends
- Government Drops PCR Test for Short Trips - But Only For Canadians
- Canada to Recognize More Vaccines
- No TIAO Calls Tuesday November 23rd
- Algoma Public Health Re-Introduces COVID-19 Measures
- New Proposal for Changes to White-tailed Deer Hunt
- Tourism SkillsNet North
- 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
We have just completed a successful Fall Tourism Training Week. Thank you to the over 130 people who registered and attended the events. We had some fantastic presentations and a good number of engaged participants. The feedback has been very positive. I wanted to personally take this opportunity to thank the Destination Northern Ontario staff and Kate from our office for the tireless work they put in to make it all happen. We make an amazing team!!
This week we saw the Federal Government remove the requirement for PCR tests for Canadians making short trips to the US. We are optimistic that this is only the first positive change to border crossing requirements. We will continue to push for further relaxations that will support the movement of our US guests across the border. We know that operators need to know NOW what the plan will be for next season so we have been increasing our pressure to get changes and clarity.
We are optimistic that we will have a positive decision on LUP and other crown resource fees in the next two weeks. I know that many of you are eagerly awaiting this decision as are we. Discussions have gone very well. These discussions have opened the door to other more broad discussions on how MNDMNRF and NOTO can work together to provide other forms of support through red tape reduction. We are eager to get further discussions underway and will be reaching out to operators in a short time to get input.
We hope that many of you are finding the time to sit back and take moments to recharge. As my mother always told me, "we won't be of any use to anyone if we don't take care of ourselves". I know from experience, this is not always as easy task but it is important to make the effort.
Be well,
Laurie
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NOTO's Board of Directors Election Results
NOTO is pleased to present you with the 2021/2022 Board of Directors! We also would like to thank our outgoing board members, Ted Putnam (Hawk Lake Lodge), and Kathy Descamps (Waterfalls Lodge), for taking the time to sit on our board to help guide the organization towards our goals and who have contributed significantly to NOTO over the past few years. .
Northeast:
- Jean-Luc Brousseau - Good Time Outfitters
- 2 vacancies remain*
North Central:
- Bob Garson - Garson's Fly-in Outposts
- Kyle Polesky - Brace Lake Outfitters
- John Moffatt - Buck Lake Wilderness Lodge & Outposts - Newly elected
Northwest:
- Mal Tygesson - Evergreen Lodge
- Lucas Adams - Gateway North Outfitters
- 1 vacancy remains*
South:
- Sue Crane - Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge
- Brett MacDonald - Birchwood Cottages - Newly elected
- 1 vacancy remains*
We want to extend a warm welcome to John and Brett our newest Board members. We thank you both for volunteering and look forward to working with you.
We also wish to send out a big THANK YOU to Ted Putnam and Kathy Descamps for their contributions to the Board over the last six years. Your support on the Board has been much appreciated especially through the last two years.
If you are a NOTO member who is interested in filling one of these vacancies, please feel free to reach out to a board member or the NOTO staff. The Board meets virtually once a month for roughly 2 hours (with exception of June and July, where no board meetings are held as operators are busy).
* NOTO's By-Laws provide for the Board of Directors to fill vacancies temporarily (until the next AGM)
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Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week
Thank you to all of the operators who have participated in the Northern Ontario Tourism Fall Training Week! We hope that you have enjoyed the sessions. Please feel free to send us any feedback you may have.
Missed any sessions? No worries!
Destination Northern Ontario will make most of the sessions available on their website shortly! We will update the industry when the resources become available.
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Government Drops PCR Test for Short Trips - But Only For Canadians
The federal government said the test exemption will apply to fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours.
This new exemption will also apply to unvaccinated people with a right of entry if they are under the age of 12 and accompanied by their fully vaccinated guardians, or can't be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Canadians returning from longer trips and foreign travellers, including Americans entering Canada will still have to show proof of a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at the land border.
The Federal Government will review entry requirements for American travellers at a later date.
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Canada To Recognize More Vaccines
Starting November 30th, Canada will recognize those who received World Health Organization approved vaccines Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN as fully vaccinated, in addition to Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
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No TIAO Calls Next Week
Dear TIAO members,
We will not be hosting our Industry Update Call on November 23rd, but look forward to our call the following week.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you,
The TIAO team
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Algoma Public Health Re-Introduces COVID-19 Measures
In response to rapidly rising COVID-19 cases in Algoma, and especially in the municipality of Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma’s Medical Officer of Health with the support of the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking the following three actions.
1) Legally ordering anyone in Algoma who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, or who is identified as a close contact to follow isolation requirements and other public health direction.
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The Medical Officer of Health has issued a Section 22 Class Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, effective immediately across Algoma.
- Not complying with this legal order is an offence and a person may be liable for a set fine of $750 or otherwise of up to $5,000 per day or part of each day that the offence continues, on conviction.
2) Requiring Sault Ste. Marie businesses and organizations to reinstate recently lifted provincial capacity limits and physical distancing requirements, and strengthening masking requirements both indoors and outdoors.
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The Medical Officer of Health has issued a Letter of Instructions under the Reopening Ontario Act, effective Wednesday November 17 at 12:01 a.m. in the municipality of Sault Ste. Marie.
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Masking is required on the premises of businesses and organizations, and at organized public events, both indoors, and outdoors where physical distancing of at least 2 metres cannot be maintained. Exceptions under subsection 2(4) Schedule 1, O. Reg 364/20 continue to apply.
- In general, businesses and organizations must continue to maintain capacity limits so that members of the public on their premises can maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres. This also applies to businesses who opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
- Impacted Sault Ste. Marie businesses who must maintain or reinstate capacity limits and physical distancing requirements include: meeting and event spaces; restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments; real estate agencies; businesses that provide personal care services relating to hair or body, including hair salons and barbershops, manicure and pedicure salons, aesthetician services, piercing services, tanning salons, spas and tattoo studios; indoor and outdoor recreational amenities; photography studios and services; sports and recreational fitness facilities; commercial film and television production settings; concert venues, theatres and cinemas; museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions; casino, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues; amusement parks; fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals and similar events; and businesses that provide tour and guide services, including guided hunting trips, tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries, fishing charters, trail riding tours, walking tours and bicycle tours, boat tours.
3) Requiring anyone aged 12 years and older in Algoma to provide proof of identification and vaccination if they are entering an indoor facility to actively participate in, coach, officiate, volunteer, or spectate at an organized sport.
- People aged 12 and older who are actively participating in organized sport(s) are now also required to show proof of vaccination (not just coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators) or a valid medical exemption.
- Children turning 12 have a grace period of 12 weeks from their 12th birthday during which they do not have to provide proof of vaccination, to allow a reasonable opportunity for immunization to take place.
- For clarity, the proof of vaccination requirement for those actively participating in organized sport does not apply to school sports (intermural or interschool) unless these sports are being played in a non-school recreational facility. If school facilities are rented by a non-school, external league, for example, the proof of vaccination requirement would apply. The requirement does not apply to school sports, including rental of school facilities by another school or school board.
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MNDMNRF Proposes to Simplify and Align Provincial White-tailed Deer Hunting Seasons
On Friday, November 19th, NOTO received a notice from Christie Curley, Director of Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch regarding their proposal to change components of the white-tailed deer hunt in Ontario. NOTO will be reviewing the proposal in depth and will submit comment. We will also share with you a summary of the proposed changes and any notes of importance. We are of course interested in hearing thoughts from operators. Please email laurie@noto.net or kate@noto.net before December 3rd, 2021. We share with you the content of the notice we received below:
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The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is proposing amendments to regulations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 to deliver a modern, efficient, and sustainable provincial deer harvest management system beginning in 2022.
The selective harvest system for deer was introduced across the province in 1980 and deer seasons have evolved over time in response to local ecological and socio-economic considerations and public and stakeholder feedback.
In recent years some hunters and stakeholders have identified a lack of consistency in season types and duration in some parts of the province. While these management strategies have been successful at maintaining deer herd numbers over time, there are opportunities to take a simpler and more consistent approach at an ecological scale.
To further support interested parties we have developed a digital form to provide a supplemental commenting opportunity for this proposal. This digital form lists the proposed changes to white-tailed deer seasons, provides examples for the proposed changes (using 2022 dates), and allows individuals to comment on proposed changes of interest. Please click the following links for access this supplemental resource available in English or French.
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Tourism SkillsNet North
In need of staff? We can help!
Register your business to the Tourism SkillsNet North program. We have job seekers in various areas across Northern Ontario that we will train and match to your business in hopes of filling your vacancies! As the employer, you will be able to interview each candidate we send your way and decide if you would like to hire them.
If you hire staff outside of the program, you can still register them to the Tourism SkillsNet North program to have them trained and receive a wage subsidy! As long as your employees complete the mandatory training courses, you will receive a 30% wage subsidy (up to $3000) per employee!
Register your business and/or 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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