In Today's Update
- New Public Health Guidance Update
- Additional Ontario Government News
- Ontario Parks Introduces Commercial Passes
- Information on the CEWS, Commercial Rent Assistance and Lockdown Support Programs
- Destination Northern Ontario Survey - Please take the time to complete this**
- Operator looking to purchase Beaver aircraft
- Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week Registration
- REMINDER: MTO Northeastern Ontario Travel Survey
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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Message from our Executive Director
Laurie Marcil
This newsletter has a great deal of information updates so I don't want to take up too much space here but I wanted to take a moment to encourage you to share with us your thoughts on any of the items included in this or recent newsletters.
We have a number of advocacy items on our plate at this time as we have since the onset of COVID-19. Here is a quick list of the issues we have been moving on this week.
- 2021 Border safe re-opening plan development
- Tourism Sector specific financial assistance (not loans)
- CEWS - seeking changes to allow seasonal businesses will qualify in the off-season
- Waiving of crown resource fees and other Government licences and fees for 2021
- Providing comment on recently released Ontario budget
- Halt on new price increases and structures for TODS signs and back country billboards
We are moving forward on all of these items and appreciate any support through membership to ensure we have the resources needed to see these items through to success.
Be well,
Laurie
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New Public Health Guidance Update
The most recent COVID-19 modelling shows that if the number of cases continues to grow at its current rate, the province could register up to 6500 new cases daily by mid-December. As a result, the Government is reducing the COVID-19 case thresholds for each level in the framework to help limit the spread. Based on these new thresholds, the following public health unit regions would be moved to the following levels as of Monday, November 16th, at 12:01am with exception of Toronto which will move into the Red Zone as of tomorrow:
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Red-Control: Hamilton, Halton, Toronto, York, Peel
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Orange-Restrict: Brant, Durham, Eastern Ontario, Niagara, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Waterloo Public Health
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Yellow-Protect: Huron Perth, Middlesex-London, Public Health Sudbury & District, Southwestern Public Health, Huron Perth, Windsor-Essex
Premier Ford also stated that a lockdown is not out of the question if the current trends continue.
The following recommendations apply to all public health unit regions in the province:
- Avoid social gatherings and limit close contacts to your household or the people you live with;
- Adhere to the restrictions in your region on public and private gatherings;
- Maintain 2m of physical distancing from everyone else;
- Wear a face covering indoors and wear one outdoors if physical distancing may not be maintained or if wearing one is required;
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly;
- Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild;
- Cover your cough;
- Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you've been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through the COVID Alert mobile app;
- Individuals and families from higher transmission regions should avoid travel to lower transmission regions, except for essential reasons; and
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Download the COVID Alert mobile app.
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Additional Ontario Government News
On Monday, Premier Ford called on the Federal Government to use rapid testing to replace the 14-day quarantine for all international travelers in 2021. Similarly to the pilot in Alberta, Premier Ford would like to see all individuals tested upon arrival, and tested a second time on day 6 post-arrival.
We've also been receiving questions about the $100 million that was announced in the Community Building Fund as it relates to tourism. This fund would assist not-for-profit organizations and municipalities which are experiencing significant financial pressures due to the pandemic, and would be delivered through the Ontario Trillium Foundation through 2 streams: one to provide supports for local community tourism, heritage and culture not-for-profits, and the second to support municipalities and not-for-profit sport and recreation organizations. Unfortunately this money will not provide direct assistance to tourism businesses.
The Ontario government is also proposing to give municipalities the flexibility to provide property tax relief to small businesses. The province would consider matching these reductions as part of the 2020 budget. In the budget, the government also announced that it will lower the Business Education Tax starting January 1st, 2021. The province also increased the Employer Health Tax exemption for 2020 from $490,000 to $1 million in payroll. Click here to view the budget.
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Ontario Parks Update
- 2021 Annual permit from January 1 to December 31 is reduced from $155 to $99
- 2021 Summer permit April 1 to November 30 is reduced from $111 to $75
- 2020-21 Winter permit from December 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 is $75
- The 2021-22 Winter permit from December 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 will also be reduced to $60 starting next year.
Ontario Parks is also launching a new Commercial Vehicle Permit which tourism operators can lend to their guests. The permit is valid from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 for unlimited day uses. The pass would allow park entry for one vehicle and its passengers for the day and was designed to be shared with the customers of your business. Ontario Parks hopes that this new product will provide a simple, effective and affordable option for tourism operators to add value to their guests' experience by packaging and promoting day-use visits to local provincial parks. The permit is now available for purchase online at the Ontario Parks store for $225 +HST.
Here is an FAQ provided by Ontario Parks about this new Commercial Day-Use Permit:
1. What are the benefits of buying a Commercial Day-Use Vehicle permit for tourism businesses near provincial parks?
The new Commercial Day-Use Vehicle Permit for tourism businesses, such as accommodations and resorts, allows them to purchase this permit to lend out to their guests to enjoy a nearby provincial park for the day as part of their stay. This new commercial day-use vehicle permit caters directly to the tourism sector, allowing businesses the opportunity to expand their visitor experience by packaging access to local provincial parks as part of promotional offers or an added perk for guests.
2. Why does the Commercial Day-Use Vehicle permit cost more that the Annual Day-Use Vehicle Permit?
The cost of the Commercial Day-Use Vehicle Permit recognizes that this permit will likely be used more frequently than an Annual Day-Use Vehicle Permit, as businesses will share with numerous customers.
3. Can businesses buy a regular seasonal day-use vehicle permits, rather than commercial day-use vehicle permits, to share with clients?
The Annual Day-Use Vehicle Permits are intended for private use by individuals or families only. The Commercial Day-Use Vehicle Permit is intended for a business to share with their customers.
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Additional Information on Changes to CEWS, the New Commercial Rent Assistance & Lockdown Programs
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland announced that Bill C-9 has been introduced in parliament which if passed, would lead to additional changes to the CEWS program, as well as launch a newly developed Commercial Rent Assistance Program and a Lockdown Support Program.
CEWS
This bill includes the extension of CEWS until June 2021 and the implementation of changes to make the program more flexible. Currently, an eligible employer's top-up wage is determined based on revenue drop over the preceding 3 months when compared to the same months in 2019. The alternative approach proposed in this bill would help businesses determine eligibility when comparing average monthly revenue in the preceding 3 months to the average monthly revenue in January and February 2020. To make the top-up wage subsidy more responsive to changes in revenue, both the base and top-up wage subsidies would be determined by change in an eligible employer's monthly revenues, year-over-year for either the current or previous calendar month. Because the wage subsidy would now be based on the current month's revenue losses, employers who had strong revenues in the summer, but are now facing a revenue decline would qualify. The problem with these new proposed changes is that seasonal tourism operators will not be able to show a decline in revenue using either of these new loss calculations, due to the lack of revenues generated by their businesses from October to May (off-season) every year.
Rent Subsidy
In terms of the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, the program would be retroactive to September 27, 2020 until June 2021. The new rent subsidy would provide benefits directly to the qualifying renters and property owners, without the participation of landlords. The maximum subsidy rate would be 65%, based on revenue losses. Eligible expenses for a location would include commercial rent, property taxes (including municipal taxes), property insurance and interest on commercial mortgages for a qualifying property.
Mortgage interest expenses in respects of a property primarily used to earn rental income from arms-length entities would not be eligible. Payments made between non-arm's length entities would also not be eligible. To view additional details on this program as well as the eligibility criteria, please click here.
The new Lockdown Support program, under the Commercial Emergency Rent Assistance program, is aimed to support businesses and organizations that are subject to a lockdown and must shut their doors or significantly limit their activities under a public health order issued under the laws of Canada or Provincial Government. This support would be retroactive to September 27th until June 2021. To view details, click here.
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Destination Northern Ontario COVID-19 Survey
Win $1,250 by sharing your input on your performance and the impacts of COVID-19 on your property, and learn how best to plan and market your business in 2021!
We realize that you may be surveyed out, but as an industry stakeholder, DNO and its partners really need and appreciate your input. This information is critical to the ongoing efforts by organizations like NOTO to advocate and have informative discussions with Government.
Destination Northern Ontario (DNO), in partnership with Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Algoma Country, Sunset Country and Superior Country, is conducting a new survey that will focus on tracking the fixed roof operating performance, use of government funding/loan programs, and the market impacts of COVID-19 on fixed roof accommodations throughout Northern Ontario. The results of this survey will be put into a final report that can help you to:
- Assess performance in 2020 by sub-region compared to last year;
- Measure losses in 2020 due to COVID-19;
- Forecast short-term topline and bottom-line results by property type, and consider opportunities to access government funding; and
- Better plan and market their businesses in 2021.
With your help, DNO and its partners will have concrete data to advocate on behalf of the industry. Now more than ever, it is important to track the performance of the tourism industry across Northern Ontario. Our industry is one that will need continuous assistance until it is back on its feet.
Survey respondents have a chance to win $1,250 to put towards a membership/advertising package with their regional marketing organization of choice! There will be 1 winner in each of the 4 marketing regions of Northern Ontario.
Survey closes November 30th.
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Tourism Operator Looking to Purchase Beaver Aircraft
If any operators are looking to sell a beaver float plane, please contact Todd at 705-323-7005 or email toddmtl@live.ca.
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Join us virtually this year for the
Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week!
November 23rd - 27th 2020
This year, registration is free to all industry partners, so you can focus on operations, saving money, and staying safe. We hope you will join us!
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How do I register for each training session?
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STEP 01
Open your registration confirmation email and download our app to
start building your schedule!
STEP 02
Register for each session individually.
Note: Clicking + Add to Schedule does not register you for the session.
STEP 03
Once you have registered, you will receive an email with a link.
STEP 04
Click the link to join the webinar at the specified time and date.
STEP 05
Enjoy your training session!
Joining Via Mobile Device?
STEP 01
Download the EventMobi app from the iPhone or Android app store.
STEP 02
Launch the app and enter the unique event code
"Northern-2020"
STEP 03
Access event information, network with other
attendees, build your schedule and more!
Don't have a phone? The app can also be found on the web using this URL:
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If you have any questions or have any
difficulties with registration, please email
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REMINDER: MTO Survey - Potentially Bringing Back Rail Service to the Northeast
The Ontario Government is looking for public input to better understand the transportation needs of people and businesses along the northeast rail corridor from Toronto, Huntsville, to North Bay and Cochrane/Timmins.
As part of their multi-modal transportation strategy, they are looking for importunities to improve bus and train services in the region in hopes of supporting economic development, keeping goods and people moving in the region, as well as improve departure and travel times in the North.
If you are interested in taking this survey and providing feedback, please click on the button below.
Closing date: November 20, 2020
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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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