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As the voice of the Ontario tourism industry, we recognize that in times of uncertainty there is a need for the industry to have access to clear and reliable information.
Our team is closely following the evolving COVID-19 situation and will link to pertinent articles on our website and social media channels, with a focus on validity and relevance to our industry.
Email us with your Coronavirus/COVID-19 updates to feedback@tiaontario.ca
Call us with your updates at 1-888-436-6441 (TOLL FREE)
ONTARIO EXPANDS INDOOR CAPACITY FOR MEETING AND FACILITY SPACES
The Ontario government is safely reopening more of the economy by easing restrictions for facilities that rent out professional meeting and event spaces. As of August 21, 2020, facilities can have up to 50 guests for each indoor meeting room or event space within the facility. The facility would have to adhere to a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Find more information here and the guidelines here.
ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Tickets for the Ontario Tourism Summit 2020 and the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence on October 27th and 28th are now available. This year’s conference is going virtual and embracing the challenges we continue to face in response to COVID-19.
Your ticket to Ontario Tourism Summit 2020 also guarantees you’re on the guest list for our spectacular gala awards ceremony, where we will celebrate the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence and everything that makes our industry so special. Just because we can’t physically be together doesn’t mean you won’t get the full gala experience. Get your tickets here.
STAKEHOLDER MEETING Q&A NOTES
Thank you to everyone who joined this weeks call with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).
We continue to hold weekly industry stakeholder conference call meetings in order to disseminate information that we have received, address member concerns and share information on our industry consultations and share the latest news from government and our partners.
You can read the notes from this week here.
#SAFETRAVELS WEB PAGE NOW LIVE
Attention all TIAO members, the #SafeTravels web page is now live. Find guidelines, an application form and more information here.
The WTTC in cooperation with the provincial government has created a self-certified Safe Travel Stamp based on worldwide industry protocols the WTTC has put together for every aspect of the hospitality and tourism sector.
CITY OF TORONTO ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COVID-19 INDOOR CAPACITY LIMIT EXEMPTIONS
In response to requests from restaurants, bars and other food service premises to increase their capacity limits, the City of Toronto established a process to apply for exemptions to the limits outlined in the by-law. Owners or operators of venues can complete a survey to be considered for an exemption from the capacity limit. Apply here.
WELCOME NEW TIAO MEMBERS
We have been actively onboarding new members as part of our 2020 free membership initiative to individuals and businesses in the tourism industry. We will continue to advocate on your behalf, and provide an even more inclusive message as we represent your voice to the provincial government.
If you haven’t taken advantage of our offer, we are glad to continue to extend this to the industry. We ask that you reach out to us directly at membership@tiaontario.ca. We will set up your membership and provide you additional information, including the option to choose between:
Membership within TIAO for a period of one year from date of signing.
Or to become a Green shoots sponsor – for those new members that can afford to pay their membership, we will recognize the value of their membership through sponsorship (Green shoots sponsor) and use this value of their membership to continue the research and vital actions to rebuild and represent the industry’s voice to government in Ontario.
1000 ISLANDS GANANOQUE POKER RUN HAPPENING AUGUST 28-29
1000 Islands Gananoque Poker Run is an event in which participants travel between five checkpoints along the St. Lawrence River and drawing a playing card at each stop. The objective for the participants is to have the best poker hand at the end of the event; the person with the best hand at the end of the run is the winner! The best in power boating is always on display – high performance power boats (also called cigarette boats) make up the roster to these events and are a sight to behold for boating enthusiasts and racing enthusiasts alike. Find more information here.
GOVERNMENT NEWS & RELEASES
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
The Ontario government is investing $455,000 from the Ontario Together Fund in Dairy Distillery to retool its operations and increase its capacity to manufacture hand sanitizer to help in the response to the fight against COVID-19.
Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
The Ontario government is investing nearly $13 million to make capital improvements at Fort William Historical Park, one of Northern Ontario’s leading tourist attractions and one of the largest living history attractions in North America. Fort William Historical Park is devoted to re-creating the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur trade.
Office of the Premier
The Ontario government is investing $15.9 million to build a new school and create 88 more child care spaces in Etobicoke. This project is part of the government’s commitment to invest $12 billion over 10 years in new and existing schools, with over $500 million to be invested this year alone. The funding will help build and expand schools, complete major renovations, and create more child care spaces across the province.
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The Governments of Canada and Ontario are providing more than $5.4 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to help food processing businesses improve food safety, increase labour productivity and enable better access to markets. These strategic investments will support more than 75 projects across Ontario and strengthen the province’s crucial agri-food supply chain.
Office of the Premier
As part of Ontario’s plan for students to safely return to the classroom in September, the government has released the Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools document. This guide was developed in consultation with public health experts, including Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, and aims to help schools identify and isolate COVID-19 cases, reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and prevent and minimize outbreaks.
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ontario is delivering on its commitment to create even more economic and educational opportunities in rural, remote and underserved areas of the province through an improved, modern broadband network in Southwestern Ontario. The province announced that Brooke Telecom has been contracted to bring reliable internet to Lambton County.
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
The Ontario government is supporting a plan by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to safely extend the life of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. The updated schedule will provide electricity consumers with emission-free, low-cost energy and allow 4,500 high-quality jobs to remain in Durham region longer. |
