- A Message from our Executive Director
- Note to our Preferred Suppliers
- Reminder for Bear Operators
- NOTO Latest Impact Survey - Deadline Wednesday May 6th
- Today's FAQ: Housing Essential Workers
- Government Announcements
- Update From NOHFC
- Adapt 2020: A Webinar Series for Tourism
- Call, Survey and Webinar Notes From This Past Week
- NOTO's COVID-19 Page
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 our Executive Director
Along with our continued efforts to advocate for better supports from all levels of Government for the resource-based tourism industry, we have now committed as well to supporting the industry by developing health & safety protocols for our sector.
NOTO has put together a working group of industry stakeholders to help with this development and to ensure that the protocols cover all of the necessary activities but that they remain practical for implementation. We are coordinating our efforts with the other sector associations with the help of TIAO. These protocols will be vetted through the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services to ensure they align with health and safety requirements of the Ministry of Labour before being presented to the Provincial Government.
We know that having these protocols developed and in place for our sector will provide much needed support to tourism business owners as they begin to turn their thoughts to bringing in staff for maintenance and preparing for potential opening of their establishments to the public.
We also know that Government is keenly watching for industries and sectors who are making best efforts to be prepared while continuing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We want to help our sector be best prepared.
The Ontario Government has announced 14 Provincial Advisory Panels that will gather information and report recommendations back to Minister MacLeod. NOTO has expressed concern that the list of advisory panels did not clearly reflect our sector of tourism. NOTO is not currently sitting on any of these advisory panels however a Sub-Committee representing Northern Ontario has been formed and will be chaired by David MacLachlan, Executive Director of Destination Northern Ontario. NOTO along with our northern DMOs, municipal partners and other tourism organizations will all participate in this sub-committee. We remain united and strong on behalf of our tourism industry.
NOTO has been asked to sit on the MNRF's Hunting, Fishing & Resource-Based Tourism Minister's Advisory Committee which will do the same work as the Advisory committees mentioned above but with a focus on our outdoor tourism sector. The work of this committee will begin next week.
NOTO has prepared another survey that will help us inform our work and the work of others on these panels and committees. We urge you to respond by the deadline of Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
To enhance our efforts to support tourism businesses, we continue to collaborate with other organizations. We have recently been contacted by the Northwestern Ontario Air Carriers Association to align efforts and elevate our voices to all levels of Government. We continue to collaborate with Indigenous Tourism Ontario, TIAO, Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations (CFOA), TIAC, and Attractions Ontario and more. These collaborative efforts are critical to amplifying our voices. We welcome new partners in our advocacy efforts. We are stronger together.
Stay safe,
Laurie
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To Our Valued Preferred Suppliers
We are reaching out to you to see how you are faring as a result of COVID-19. We want you to know that NOTO is here to support you through these difficult times as well.
We would like to have a conference call with you all
Thursday May 7th at 10am to hear about how you have been impacted by COVID-19, to see if some of you may have changed your services for the time being and to talk about designing a strategy to bridge the gap between members and preferred suppliers. Maybe there are messages you would like to send to operators during this difficult period or products or services you would like to highlight. NOTO is here to help you get your messages to operators across the province.
Please keep an eye open on your inbox on Monday for the call details and the agenda. If there is anything NOTO can do to support you and your businesses as well, please let us know. We are more than happy to help. We are stronger together.
Take care,
NOTO Team
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Reminder for Bear Operators
Although the MNRF is allowing the bear hunt to proceed, it is important for bear outfitters to remember that the Emergency Orders remain in place at least until May 12th. This means the following:
- Leisure travel is not permitted in Ontario
- US/Canada border remains closed (review May 20th)
- Accommodation restrictions do not allow you to accommodate those travelling for leisure travel (can only provide accommodations for essential workers who need an alternative to their own homes)
- Guiding services are not on the essential business list
- No camping on crown land is permitted
- No campfires are permitted
We want outfitters to be aware of these points to avoid possible fines and to support their conversations with potential guests. All of these points can also be applied to anglers in the upcoming weeks.
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NOTO's Latest Resource-Based Tourism Survey
As NOTO continues to support tourism businesses through this COVID crisis, we want you to know that we appreciate the phone calls and emails that we receive from you highlighting the struggles you are facing and the recommendations that you are making.
We are asking for your assistance in completing this survey. To take your concerns and comments forward to our Governments and industry partners we need to quantify your sentiments regarding your impacts and needs. We want to show them a full picture of the state of our industry if we were all to remain closed for May and June 2020.
We are also trying to assess the successes and gaps in the current Federal Government supports to help us understand what other supports you need now and in the coming months so we can add those to our list of asks if needed.
Please take the time now and complete the survey.
This survey will close at midnight on Wednesday, May 6th.
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Today's Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I open my accommodations to house essential service workers?
The clarification we received from the Government is yes, you may open your accommodations to essential workers for the purpose of self-isolation, however, the Ministry of Labour will expect you to have signage and enhanced health and safety policies in place.
Here are the specifics under the current emergency regulations: Lodges and camps remain "non-essential" and must remain closed unless you are providing a place for an essential worker to isolate as stated under
"Short Term Rentals"
in the essential services list. Seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks also remain "non-essential" and must remain closed unless you are providing an area for an individual to self isolate who's primary Canadian residence is their trailer as listed under
"Seasonal Campground Requirements"
. These emergency orders, along with all others, will be reviewed on May 6th, with possibility of extension.
Housing Essential Workers:
The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety has put together a great
information sheet with tips regarding housing of workers
and disinfecting/cleaning tips. Although focused on work camps, it can easily be transformed to suit your needs.
Ideally, only have one employee per bedroom/cabin. Otherwise, ensure there is adequate space to ensure social distancing requirements and gathering restrictions can be met.
What type of protocols should I have in place/Ministry of Labour Expectations:
Have a policy in your employee manual that focuses on working during a pandemic. NOTO
created this policy
which can be used by operators to help them create their own policy to best suit their business needs. The ministry also expects businesses to have signage focusing on awareness of the virus and it's symptoms, enhanced hygiene practices and social distancing requirements.
You can also used
NOTO's Infographs
as a resource to help you prepare your business and enhance your cleaning protocols.
NOTO is taking the lead on developing health and safety protocols designed specifically for the resource-based tourism industry. We expect that these will be available in the next two to three weeks.
What types of cleaners should I use?
To find out which disinfectant meets Health Canada's requirements for COVID-19
- Locate the Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the disinfectant product label
- Look for that number on the Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) list by typing in the DIN into the search/filter box.
In terms of laundry, use hot water, detergent and bleach (if possible) and dry items using the hot setting until items are completely dry. For other cleaning recommendations,
visit the CDC's website
.
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Government Announcements
Federal:
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the federal, provincial, and territorial governments have come together and agreed to a set of common principles for restarting the Canadian economy, based on shared understanding and appreciation of what science and experts are telling us. This statement identifies the criteria that need to be in place before we can go back to work and school, or see neighbours and friends.
This statement acknowledges the importance of restarting the economy through a gradual approach that protects the health of Canadians, including high-risk groups, as well as the need to ensure public health capacity for future waves of the virus, while at the same time continuing to support a range of economic sectors and Canadian workers.
The PM has noted that provinces and territories will take different steps at different times in order to ease restrictions, reflecting the specific circumstances in each jurisdiction. There are four main principles, including taking a science and evidence-based approach to decision-making, coordination and collaboration between all jurisdictions, continued accountability and transparency of all governments, and flexibility and proportionality as information changes over time.
Criteria and measures that need to be in place in order to begin to take steps to restart the economy
:
- COVID-19 transmission is controlled, so new cases are contained at a level that our health care system can manage.
- Sufficient public health capacity is in place to test, trace, isolate, and control the spread of the virus.
- Expanded health care capacity exists to support all needs, including COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.
- Supports are in place for vulnerable groups, communities, and key populations. This includes the protection of seniors, residents of group living facilities, workers in close quarters, homeless people, and Indigenous people and those living in remote locations, health care workers and other essential workers, and inmates.
- Support and monitoring of workplace protocols are in place to keep Canadians safe at their jobs, and prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19.
- Restrictions on non-essential travel are eased and managed in a coordinated manner.
- Communities are supported in managing local disease activity, including in child care, schools, and public transportation, and industry and economic sectors are engaged to support the health of Canadians, reduced viral activity, and protection of the economy as it restarts.
The top priority of Government continues to be keeping all Canadians safe during this challenging time.
My Business Account
or through the CRA’s
online application portal
.
The Federal Government has made it clear that all
employees must choose between receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
OR
the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
. They can not receive both benefits.
Provincial:
Later this week, the Provincial Government will release guidelines as an addition to the previously released Framework for Reopening our Province. These guidelines will be sector focused and include labour guidelines and expectations for businesses who are capable of re-opening once this plan comes into effect.
The Ontario government is launching the
COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers
website to help businesses overcome the unique challenges created by the global pandemic. Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to the website. The province is prepared to allow temporary changes to provincial rules and regulations in order to remove any barriers that are hindering business
The Ontario government is providing employers with workplace safety guidelines - See news release
here.
Highlights of the release:
- The 61 sector-specific guidelines are available here from Ontario’s health and safety associations.
- Guidelines for construction are available here.
- Ontario recently doubled the capacity of Ontario’s Health and Safety Call Centre to 50 phone lines to deal with a large increase in calls.
- As of April 29, inspectors had completed 5,158 workplace visits and issued 1,822 orders, including 18 stop-work orders, related to COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Ontario government released
A Framework for R
eopening o
ur Province
,
which outlines the criteria Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will use to advise the government on the loosening of emergency measures, as well as guiding principles for the safe, gradual reopening of businesses, services and public spaces. The release of this
plan does not indicate that these initiatives have begun.
Everyone must continue to follow the directives of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the emergency orders.
All currently established
emergency orders
remain in place. The next review will take place on May 6th with possibility of extension.
The
state of emergency declaration
also remains in place with the next review set to take place by May 12th with possibility of extension.
Lodges and camps remain "non-essential" and must remain closed unless you are providing an place to self isolate to an essential worker as stated under
"Short Term Rentals"
in the essential services list.
Seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks also remain "non-essential" and must remain closed unless you are providing an area for an individual to self isolate who's primary Canadian residence is their trailer as listed under
"Seasonal Campground Requirements"
.
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Updates from NOHFC
In response to the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has made the following available for their programs:
- Deferred any repayments of principal and interest on a loan coming due during between April 1 and June 30, 2020
- Waived all interest that accrues on NOHFC loans between March 20 and June 30, 2020
- Extended the maturity date of NOHFC loans to July 1, 2020
- Extended the deadline for current NOHFC programs until June 30, 2020
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Adapt 2020: A Webinar Series for Tourism
By Tourism Excellence North
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This webinar series has be designed to support businesses and communities within Northern Ontario's tourism industry through COVID-19 by providing resources and connections for today and the future. Please view the details for the first two webinars and register if you would like to participate!
For more information contact:
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Turning a Pause into Productivity
20 Low Cost Ways to Work on Your Business
Presented by: Chris Hughes, Owner, BC Hughes Inc.
May 5th 2020 - 11:00 am EDT
There's no question that this is a stressful time. 'Will there be a summer tourism season' and 'how do I pay my bills now' are some of the questions racing through your mind. Chris's fun session can't solve the current situation, but it can help you deal with it and in doing so help your business be ready for when things come roaring back to life.
Chris has traveled across Northern Ontario and met many of you and your businesses as part of the Tourism Excellence North program. Chris will cover such topics as:
- The power of paint
- The back of your house
- R & D
- Rustic by design
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How's Your Digital Health?
Upgrading Your Online Presence During the Pause
Presented by: Mike Jacobs, CEO, The New Business
May 6th 2020 - 11:00 am EDT
Your digital health is a measure of how effective, current and engaging your online presence is.
- Social - What makes for shareable, engaging content? How much should you post, where and when?
- Website - What is essential, what isn't and how to update without breaking the bank.
- Third Party Sites and Apps - Which apps, review sites, and third-party tools are important to monitor, participate in, and win at?
Using these 3 segments, we look at areas for improvement and develop a straightforward plan to improve your digital health with a simple scoring method.
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Call, Survey and Webinar Notes From This Past Week
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This week Destination Canada released two reports on the impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry at a national level.
This presentation has been prepared for industry-at-large to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on domestic travel. This report is based on a model that breaks impact down by province and by key industry sectors.
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Survey 4.0 Results now available
Download the results report
here
.
Q&As
from last week's Tourism Industry Calls can be found
here.
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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.There are FAQ's with answers and tips from NOTO. FAQs will be regularly updated as well.
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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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