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) REOPENING GUIDELINES AND GLOBAL PROTOCOLSWe have been diligently gathering across different sources a number of reopening guidelines available for different sectors of our industry. Below is a list of documents available. RV and Camping
Golfing Events and Attractions
Workplaces Boating
Aircraft Global Protocols
SURVEY 5.0 RESULTSAt TIAO we are proud to be your voice to government. We have included this survey data in the Tourism Leaders Economic Impact Report delivered to Minister Lisa MacLeod. Thank you for communicating where the risks are so that we can continue to push for what the tourism industry and workforce need to survive. The data collected from survey 5 indicates that the greatest risks to tourism operations are: • Uncertainty around when and how they will be able to re-open Thank you to everyone who continues to take the time. When you provide us with the data, you give us the best tool we have to advocate on your behalf. Read our report here
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TIAO’S AGM AND A DAY FULL OF TOURISM EVENTS ON MAY 27thJoin us virtually in the Kingston Region for TIAO’s AGM, RTO9’s AGM, a highlight reel of Visit Kingston’s Initiatives followed by a TIAC town hall next Wednesday, May 27th. Please note you will only be able to vote in AGMs if you are a member of that organisation. TIAC’s Tourism Town Hall series is an event partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada and the local host partners. Our virtual Tourism Town Halls will provide an opportunity to engage small and medium-sized business owner operators across Canada to share information, government policy work and available COVID-19 recovery tools with our stakeholders. Town halls will allow owner-operators to provide first hand input on issues they are facing and hear from leading tourism organizations on the efforts being made to support tourism. Links and relevant documents will follow by email after registration. Sign up for your free tickets here WATCH MINISTER LISA MACLEOD’S MULTI SECTORAL TOWNHALL RECORDINGYesterday Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries hosted her fifth townhall to give stakeholders an update on COVID-19 as it applies to their businesses and organizations. If you missed the live townhall you can watch the recording on her YouTube channel here APPLICATIONS OPEN MONDAY MAY 25 FOR CANADA EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CECRA)Application documents and updated criteria for Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses are now available. The program will be opened for applications beginning on Monday May 25. Find more information of the program including eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions here ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPCOMING WEBINARSThe Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is pleased to share a series of upcoming webinars:
WELCOME NEW TIAO MEMBERSWe have been actively onboarding new members as part of our free membership initiative to individuals and businesses in the tourism industry for 2020. We will continue to advocate on your behalf, and provide an even more inclusive message as we represent your voice to the provincial government. We have over 688 new members and counting. 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. CITY OF OTTAWA ANNOUNCES BUSINESS REOPENING TOOLKITThe City of Ottawa has developed a business reopening toolkit, in consultation with Ottawa Public Health, to help businesses answer critical questions before they can reopen safely. The gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the months to come will bring new challenges for local businesses to navigate, as well as opportunities to innovate. The toolkit provides guidance for employers on preparing their workplace, including employees and operations to resume while ensuring physical distancing, and also provides links to official resources such as public health signage, sector-specific guidelines and government financial assistance programs. Information and resources will be updated regularly on the website as guidance from the Government of Ontario and Ottawa Public Health continues to evolve. The online toolkit can be found here FCM DELIVERS NEXT PHASE OF ASSET MANAGEMENT FUNDING FOR MUNICIPALITIESOn May 15, the Government of Canada and FCM launched the next phase of funding to help communities improve their asset management practices enabling them to use sound and reliable data to make more informed decisions about key roads, water systems, buildings and other infrastructure. The funding is available through a renewed federal investment in FCM’s Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP), first announced in last year’s federal budget. Since 2017, MAMP has funded more than 585 local asset management projects in communities across Canada. It’s proven to be so popular and effective that Budget 2019 committed an additional $60 million to the program. More information on the program can be found here SPORT TOURISM INDUSTRY LAUNCHES RECOVERY TASK FORCEIn response to how COVID-19 has affected the sport tourism industry, the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) has announced the formation of the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force. The purpose is to develop an action plan for the responsible, safe and effective reopening of the $6.8 billion sport tourism industry. The task force includes representatives from all stakeholders, including destinations, national/multi-sport organizations, facilities and suppliers to the industry. The group will work toward establishing and sharing guidelines and recommendations, specific to the sport tourism industry, to demonstrate to all levels of government that there is a clear plan to re-open the industry. More details can be found here OAKVILLE ANNOUNCES FREEZE ON COMMERCIAL RENT EVICTIONSThere’s been a long wait for rent relief for many local businesses. Weeks in the making, the rent program that resulted from pandemic policy making is one that has faced much confusion for landlords and tenants alike. Yesterday in Regional Council the municipality of Oakville unanimously supported a Resolution brought forward to freeze commercial evictions in Ontario and update the Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (OCECRA) program. Find the notice of motion here
IT’S NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN TOURISMIt has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us, both professionally and personally, because of COVID-19. That’s why its never been more important to ensure that when we have defeated COVID-19 we recognize the achievements of those in our industry who make our province so attractive to visit. This is an opportunity for organizations, businesses, and individuals to be recognized on the main stage at the 2020 Ontario Tourism Summit, the province’s premier tourism industry event of the year. More importantly, it’s a chance to be acknowledged by industry peers for the incredible work you do for Ontario’s vibrant tourism sector. Jointly presented by three organizations —TIAO, Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) and Attractions Ontario — these awards recognize achievements in business growth and innovation, travel media and tourism marketing, culinary tourism and popular attractions. To self-nominate or nominate someone else simply click here GOVERNMENT NEWS & RELEASESOntario Extends Emergency Orders to Keep People SafeOffice of the PremierThe Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended all emergency orders currently in force until May 29, 2020. That includes the closure of bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery only, restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and staff redeployment rules for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women’s shelters. The government is also allowing drive-in religious gatherings. Related:
Ontario Government Supporting Parents as Economy ReopensOffice of the PremierThe Ontario Government is protecting licensed child care in Ontario during the COVID-19 outbreak by ensuring parents retain access to local licensed child care, as well as EarlyON Child and Family Centres. The government unveiled a plan that, together with federal and municipal partnership, provides supports to licensed child care providers to ensure they remain sustainable and ready to open when parents return to work. Related:
Ontario Collaborates with Med-Tech Innovation Hub in the Fight Against COVID-19Office of the PremierThe Ontario government is working with Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX), Canada’s first industry-led hub for med-tech start-ups, to provide non-medical manufacturing companies free support as they retool to provide essential supplies and equipment to health care facilities during COVID-19. As Ontario Reopens, People Urged to Continue Following Public Health AdviceOffice of the PremierAs the Ontario government carefully and gradually reopens the province, those taking public transit, returning to work or going out shopping are being urged to continue to adhere to public health advice as the best line of defence against COVID-19. To assist the public, the Ministry of Health today released specific recommendations on how to choose, wear and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies. Ontario Leading COVID-19 Research in CanadaOffice of the PremierThe Ontario government is quickly moving forward with innovative research to prevent, detect and treat COVID-19. These projects, part of the government’s $20 million Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund, focus on areas of research such as vaccine development, diagnostics, drug trials and development, and social sciences. Additionally, Ontario is leading the country with 22 clinical trials investigating COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Ontario Reduces Financial Barriers to Postsecondary EducationMinistry of EducationThe Ontario government is reducing financial barriers for full-time students attending postsecondary education. Starting today, those most in need can apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for the 2020-21 school year. During this unprecedented period, the government is providing a six-month temporary deferral of OSAP loan payments and interest accrual on OSAP loans from March 30-September 30, 2020 to support OSAP borrowers in good standing. |
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