In Today's Update
- Message from our Executive Director
- Collecting Questions from Moose Operators
- Public Health Units Moving to New Colour Zones
- Minister MacLeod's Tourism Economic Recovery Task Force
-
Early Bird Pricing - TWO WEEKS REMAIN**
- Attention US Camp Owners: Important New Details for Your Re-Entry to Canada
- TIAO Calls - Tuesday March 16th
- Help NOTO Elevate The Need for Immediate Changes to Aerial Spraying in Ontario
- The Wilson Center Task Force on Public Health and the US-Canadian Border - Invitation to Comment
- ADAPT 2020 Webinar - Participant Satisfaction Survey
- Get Your Safe Travels Stamp
- Forestry Notices
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
As we all look with hope and anticipation toward the upcoming months, we urge all of you to continue to monitor the opportunities to raise your voices. NOTO continues to inform operators of these opportunities as we hear of them.
Over the last week we had meetings with MNRF, MHSTCI, and FedNor and we continued with the weekly and bi-weekly committee and task force work that we have been participating in throughout most of this pandemic.
With the new details around the approval of more vaccines and the reports on vaccinations really ramping up, the conversations are beginning to reflect a sense of relief and forward thinking approaches are starting to take place. We welcome this change and are pleased that others are finally hearing our requests to develop plans now.
With MNRF, we are discussing opportunities to help the outfitting industry by allowing hunting allocations that were not used in 2020 to be allowed for use over the net several years in order for operators to fulfil the needs of their non-resident hunters whose trips have been postponed to future years. We have no further details on those discussions for now.
At our meeting with FedNor this week surrounding funding programs, we are feel strong support of our requests for more of the loans to be made forgivable and an extension on the payback dates from both FedNor and Minister Joly however, we now need to push other Minister's at the Federal level to ensure we can achieve our goal. We will continue to work on this in the days and weeks to come.
I also learned some important deadline details that I want to share with you. The deadline for applying to the RRRF $60,000 loan with $20,000 forgivable through the CFDCs is March 31st. If you miss that deadline or are looking for a larger loan, contact FedNor directly and that RRRF application deadline is June 30, 2021. Click HERE for more details on the RRRF program and how/where to apply.
Our discussions with MHSTCI (Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries) was an opportunity to discuss components of our submission on the White Paper and discuss the need for the Ontario Small Business Grant to cover more businesses within our sector. The discussion was positive and I am optimistic that we will see more support for the RBT sector coming from this Ministry soon.
This coming week I will be participating in a Policy Forum panel discussion that will focus on the restaurant & accommodation tourism sectors. This discussion is presented to the Ontario Public Service so those who work in the Ontario Government and have a role in policy development across all Ministries will be our audience. I am looking forward to the opportunity to talk about our sector and the many policies that impact us.
We will also be meeting with the Minister of Health and a number of MPs around re-opening the border. We are eager to discuss this vitally important topic. It is the first opportunity that we have had to meet with anyone from health on this issue.
The weeks are flying by and I know that you are all dealing with so many unknowns. We will continue to press for clarity.
Be well,
Laurie
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Moose Outfitters: Have Any Questions for MNRF?
In January, MNRF sent out letters to moose operators highlighting regulatory changes for the 2021 moose hunting season. Some operators have expressed some confusion around what they and their guests must do this year for moose hunting.
NOTO has reached out to MNRF and they have confirmed that they are interested in doing a webinar this spring through NOTO for moose outfitters.
To help them prepare for the presentation, we would like to collect questions from our moose operators to highlight areas of confusion.
Any questions, comments, or areas of confusion that you think need to be addressed with regards to MNRF's letter to moose operators can be sent to laurie@noto.net or kate@noto.net.
To view the letter that was sent by MNRF, please click on the button below.
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PHUs Moving into New Colour Zones
Effective Friday March 12th, Sudbury Public Health Region has entered the Grey-Lockdown zone due to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. As of Monday, March 15th, the following health units will be moving into new colour zones according to their local public health trends:
Grey-Lockdown
Red-Control
Yellow-Protect
- Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.
In Northern Ontario, North Bay Parry Sound remains in Red, Northwestern Ontario will become a red zone on Monday, Algoma remains in Yellow, Porcupine and Timiskaming remain in Orange, Sudbury and Thunder Bay remain in Lockdown.
To view the official regulations for the Green, Yellow and Orange Zones, please click here.
Please be advised that local medical officers of health also have the ability to issue Section 22 orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to target specific transmission risks in the community. All operators are encouraged to reach out to their local health units to make sure they comply with all regulations and restrictions in their respective districts.
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Minister MacLeod Establishes Tourism Economic Recovery Task Force
The mandate of the voluntary task force includes providing strategies and advice that will help position Ontario and its communities as destinations of choice for travel, as well as identifying products and experiences that enhance destination development. The task force is set to deliver a report with its recommendations to the minister in spring 2021.
During her live announcement, Minister MacLeod stated that an announcement specifically for outfitters will be made post-budget. You can watch Minister MacLeod's Tourism Task Force announcement on Facebook.
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Early Bird Membership Pricing
TWO WEEKS REMAINING*
Join now or renew your membership to save and be entered for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize!
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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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Attention US Camp Owners: Important New Details for Your Re-Entry to Canada
We have just learned this week that your 14-day quarantine will be more complicated this year. We are looking for your feedback on the list of requirements below.
Your 14-day quarantine plan will need to include the following:
- You MUST have a civic or physical address for your quarantine location (for visit from officials)
- You must have a phone line (mobile or landline)
- Two take home tests will be provided by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with instructions to take the first test on day one and the second test on day 10 of your quarantine.
- Both tests must be taken with a PHAC agent by video
- Test samples must be sent to an assigned PHAC facility by courier (Purolator was named)
See links below for more information.
We are aware that these specific requirements will pose issues for some of you but I am trying to get an assessment of how many and which requirements will pose the greatest issues. Please email laurie@noto.net ASAP with your feedback.
We urge you to share this information with those that may not be getting our emails and encourage them to contact us as well.
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TIAO Calls - Tuesday March 16th
Northern Ontario Tourism Industry Update
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 552-464-997
COVID-19 Ontario Tourism Industry Update
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 669-530-405
Thank you,
The TIAO team.
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NOTO Urges Operators to Help Elevate The Need for Immediate Changes to Aerial Spraying in Ontario
As we have mentioned in past newsletters, NOTO has been working hard to elevate the discussions with Government around current aerial spraying methods used for pest control and forestry. We are making some progress but need our operators to communicate their concerns around aerial spraying and any impacts to the environment and wildlife that they have witnessed pre and post spraying.
We would ask that operators send letters to Minister Yurick, Minister Yakabuski and Minister Rickford as well as their MPP. We would also encourage you to cc NOTO on your correpondence. We have included a list with emails for all of the Northern MPPs and Ministers.
The negative impacts of aerial spraying on our environment and wildlife has been of great concern to many in our industry for a number of years and it is time that we collectively make a concerted effort to affect change.
Please find below, links to our letter to the Ministers listed above and NOTO's Position Paper on the matter for your reference. You are welcome to reference and share the position paper in your communications.
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The Wilson Center Task Force on Public Health and the US-Canadian Border - Invitation to Comment
The Wilson Center Task Force on Public Health is inviting individuals and specialists to provide submissions on how the border closure has impacted them.
The objective of the Task Force is to advise the federal governments on (1) if and how best to incorporate health inspections at border crossings (including for individual and commercial land, maritime, and air transit), and (2) the design of a plan to lift border restrictions based on specific indicators in phases similar to those announced by governments with regard to business activity and gatherings.
To view the letter and to send a submission, click here.
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Participant Satisfaction Survey for the TEN ADAPT 2020: Webinar Series for Tourism
Have you participated in any of Tourism Excellence North's ADAPT 2020 Webinars? Please take a minute to answer a participant satisfaction survey.
TEN continuously strive to enhance and improve their training programs and your feedback is an instrumental part of the improvement process.
Thank you!
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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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Forestry Notices
It's once again that time of year where forestry activities are beginning to ramp up. 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:
- Abitibi Forest - Annual Work Schedule Changes (Spruce Budworm Program) (closes March 15th)
- Algoma Forest - Inspection of Annual Work Schedule (closes April 1st)
- Caribou & Lac Seul Forests - Inspection of Annual Work Schedule (closes April 1st)
- Dryden, Wabigoon & English River Forests - Inspection of Annual Work Schedule (closes April 1st)
- Gordon Cosens Forest - Inspection of Annual Work Schedule (closes April 1st)
- Nagagami Forest - Inspection of Approved Forest Management Plan (closes April 1st)
- Ottawa Valley Forest - Review Proposed Operations (closes April 1st)
- Whitefeather Forest - Inspection of Annual Work Schedule Changes (water crossings) (closes March 31st)
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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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 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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