Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Newsletter
Welcome Back
Welcome back to the Thompson Okanagan’s source for the Biosphere Commitment Program and sustainable industry updates! We want to continue to provide the industry with opportunities to save on costs, be apart of rebate and subsidy programs, and get one-on-one time with professionals in different areas of tourism.
Here is why you should read it
Welcome back to the Thompson Okanagan’s source for the Biosphere Commitment Program and sustainable industry updates! Over the past 8 months, TOTA has shifted our communications to focus on navigating through the year that has been 2020. We as an industry have been resilient, and tourism businesses have shown a dedication to a more sustainable approach as we forge ahead.
We felt now was the time to continue to establish the message of sustainability across the region and highlight those businesses who have excelled in this area. Furthermore, this newsletter will provide updates on resources available to the industry that can help improve their energy costs, reduce their carbon impacts, streamline their health & safety procedures and much more.
We want to continue to provide the industry with opportunities to save on costs, be apart of rebate and subsidy programs, and get one-on-one time with professionals in different areas of tourism.
As we remind you about the Biosphere Sustainable Newsletter, we want to take the time to introduce several new initiatives available to our stakeholders. The following opportunities are open to all businesses and are not exclusive to Biosphere Committed Companies.
go2HR Open House | Drop-in Sessions
Occupational Health and Safety Open House | Every Tuesday from Oct 20th - Nov 17th, 2:00-3:00 pm (PST) | Join Online
go2HR is pleased to offer a series of virtual drop-in Health and Safety Q&A Sessions for Thompson Okanagan Tourism businesses.
Do you have a health and safety challenge or question, but not sure who to ask?
Want to learn more about the health and safety support available for you through the Biosphere program?
Want to meet and connect with other regional businesses to share health and safety insights, challenges and/or best practices?
Whether you have 5 minutes or 50 minutes, a single question, multiple questions OR just want to drop in to meet the go2HR specialists - we would be happy to speak with you.
Note: RSVP is not required. Click the button above to join anytime during the sessions. Stay for as long as you can or need during the one-hour session.
EV Chargers Installment Funding Available: Dual Port Level 2 ($7,000 - $8,000) Depends on Electrical capacity
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is in the process of applying for the Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) grant. This funding opportunity is for the installment of EV charging stations at various locations across the region. Most tourism businesses looking to enhance their parking area with EV charging stations would fit into this application.
The Grant subsidizes a large portion of the costs to purchase and install the charging stations, however, there still will be a cost for each company involved. Preliminary estimates are in the range of $7,500 for a dual port level 2 charging station but will depend on on-site electrical capacity factors. For more information about this opportunity please email industrysupport@totabc.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, each of these will be posted on the TOTA Corporate website. We want to make this newsletter valuable to you so please share your feedback and suggestions to help us improve!
Biosphere Update
We understand the current landscape for tourism businesses has drastically changed over the past few months. During these uncertain times, TOTA has streamlined our priorities to provide assistance to organizations throughout the region.
Our Biosphere businesses continue to remain a high priority, and we are working hard to provide you with updates in a timely manner regarding any provincial programs or assistance as it becomes available. We are also reaching out to businesses to get a better understanding of their operations. Some of you may have already heard from one of our team members, if you have not yet heard from us you can expect a call in the next several days, or please reach out to us at recovery@totabc.com.
In regards to the Biosphere Commitment, we are still moving ahead with the programs and offering online resources for those who want to continue to access initiatives at this time. We also appreciate that there are many priorities currently and you may need to defer some of the opportunities until business and operations begin to normalize.
We encourage you to read through this newsletter which will provide details of Biosphere opportunities that are available online at this time.
Biosphere Update
We understand the current landscape for tourism businesses has drastically changed over the past few months. During these uncertain times, TOTA has streamlined our priorities to provide assistance to organizations throughout the region.
Our Biosphere businesses continue to remain a high priority, and we are working hard to provide you with updates in a timely manner regarding any provincial programs or assistance as it becomes available. We are also reaching out to businesses to get a better understanding of their operations. Some of you may have already heard from one of our team members, if you have not yet heard from us you can expect a call in the next several days, or please reach out to us at recovery@totabc.com.
In regards to the Biosphere Commitment, we are still moving ahead with the programs and offering online resources for those who want to continue to access initiatives at this time. We also appreciate that there are many priorities currently and you may need to defer some of the opportunities until business and operations begin to normalize.
We encourage you to read through this newsletter which will provide details of Biosphere opportunities that are available online at this time.
Thank you again for your ongoing commitment to this program, we believe the values of sustainability will be more important than ever when we emerge from this current crisis. Please reach out to Mike Overend, Director of Sustainability at industrysupport@totabc.com or directly at 778-721-5462.
Stay safe and healthy, and know that we are committed to working to help your business get through this unprecedented time.
Leaders in Biosphere
Highlights of businesses committed to the Biosphere Commitment Program
FortisBC and BC Hydro are currently offering free support from energy advisors who are available to speak via telephone to identify no-cost ways to reduce your business’s energy consumption while you are operating at reduced hours, or even experiencing a temporary closure. Reducing your energy consumption will help you reduce your energy bills, and will also help the utility companies reduce demand during this period of reduced economic activity in our sector. for anyone interested in this free support please reach out to the contacts below directly; they will aim to call you within 2 business days:
For businesses within FortisBC electricity and natural gas areas, please reach out to nicole@greenstep.ca
For businesses within the BC Hydro electric area, please reach out to David.Hevey@bchydro.com
go2HR OHS Overview Training Webinar – NOW AVAILABLE
An introduction to the go2HR OHS training and support provided through the biosphere adhesion program as well as health and safety-related legislation in BC, WorkSafeBC and the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program.
This 50-minute on-demand webinar is FREE for Biosphere Committed Entities and the first call to action within the go2HR OHS Framework for Biosphere.
View Webinar
Other virtual opportunities for biosphere members:
OHS Program Fundamentals: An online, interactive course that will help participants learn the fundamental principles of occupational health and safety (OHS) in British Columbia and the key elements of a safety management system. Upon successful completion, students will earn a certificate of completion.
Safety Basics Assessment: A free, confidential, online OHS self-assessment. Receive practical information, resources and advice to help improve an existing health and safety program or get started on developing a new one, based on your responses.
Foundations of Workplace Safety Training: Designed for young or new workers to help them enter the workplace with knowledge and confidence, it is also a great fresher for anyone already working in the tourism and hospitality industry. This online, self-paced course is free of charge.
The Eco-Efficiency Program, through which participants will receive complimentary energy, water, and waste assessments and access to EcoBase Carbon Software, is still running in a modified format.
During this time, Greenstep is offering virtual assessments via FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Zoom, and other web-based video conferencing platforms to identify low or no-cost initiatives that can help save you money now, while also making recommendations for projects you could implement in the future to achieve additional savings and to improve your footprint.
Read more
Other Updates
1. Biosphere Questionnaire & Certificate
It is a good time to fill the year 1 and year 2 biosphere questionnaire if you have not yet completed it. If you have any questions, please contact tota.sustainability@gmail.com and we can assist you with the process. As we are currently working remotely, we are not able to mail the certificate to you until later. We appreciate your understanding.
2. Biosphere videos updates
Video shooting for biosphere members will be continued once the situation gets better. The completed videos are now in the review process and will be sent to you once approved.