News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Propel Student Work Placement Program with Wage Subsidy | Apply Now for Summer 2022.
Propel is a federally funded Student Work Placement Program offering paid work-integrated learning opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector. Propel offers employers a wage subsidy of up to 75% of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500.
Facilitated by Tourism HR Canada, Propel, a Student Work Placement Program, has been extended for an additional two years, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada.
The program is actively accepting applications for the upcoming summer semester.
Propel provides a direct link to early talent looking for hands-on experience and the opportunity to explore career pathways in the sector. Engaging these students will play an essential role in the immediate recovery of the visitor economy and ensure the ongoing growth of a skilled workforce.
Wage subsidies are available as follows:
Up to 50% of wages or up to $5,000 to provide students with meaningful WIL opportunities.
Up to 70% of wages or up to $7,000 to provide students with meaningful WIL opportunities for the following under-represented students: women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and newcomers; as well as first-year students.
Portal for Federal Subsidies for Period 24 (December 19, 2021, to January 15, 2022)
The federal government announced that the application portals for business subsidy programs will open on the following dates:
Period 24: February 7, 2022
Period 25: March 1, 2022
Regulatory changes announced in December temporarily expand eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program. These changes would:
Apply to claim periods 24 and 25 (December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022)
Allow those entities to qualify if they are subject to a capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more
Reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent for those entities
As a reminder, the federal subsidies available are:
The federal government announced that the application portals for business subsidy programs will open on the following dates:
Period 24: February 7, 2022
Period 25: March 1, 2022
Regulatory changes announced in December temporarily expand eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program. These changes would:
Apply to claim periods 24 and 25 (December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022)
Allow those entities to qualify if they are subject to a capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more
Reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent for those entities
As a reminder, the federal subsidies available are:
Survey on Tourism Relief Fund
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada has been advocating for the faster roll out of Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) support to the industry and asked the government to consider supporting projects under this Fund that help tourism operators recover and relaunch their businesses from the pandemic in addition to projects which:
Create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors; and
Help the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors.
To properly advocate and make changes, TIAC needs up-to-date information from operators on whether the Fund is responding to your current needs, where you are experiencing challenges in accessing the program and the nature of those challenges, as well as how you believe improvements to the Fund could be made.
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada has been advocating for the faster roll out of Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) support to the industry and asked the government to consider supporting projects under this Fund that help tourism operators recover and relaunch their businesses from the pandemic in addition to projects which:
Create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors; and
Help the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors.
To properly advocate and make changes, TIAC needs up-to-date information from operators on whether the Fund is responding to your current needs, where you are experiencing challenges in accessing the program and the nature of those challenges, as well as how you believe improvements to the Fund could be made.
B.C. COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant | Apply by February 28, 2022
The Province of B.C. has introduced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant aimed at assisting B.C. businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases under the December 22, 2021 and/or January 18, 2022 Provincial Health Officer orders.
The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant is extended and supports doubled for eligible businesses that have been ordered to remain temporarily closed through public health measures until February 16, 2022.
Apply by February 28, 2022.
The Province of B.C. has introduced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant aimed at assisting B.C. businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases under the December 22, 2021 and/or January 18, 2022 Provincial Health Officer orders.
The Province extended the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant and doubled supports for eligible businesses that have been ordered to remain temporarily closed through public health measures until February 16, 2022.
Businesses ordered fully closed include:
gyms, fitness and adult dance centres
bars, lounges and nightclubs
event venues that can no longer hold events
The fund will provide relief grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 to help affected businesses alleviate some financial pressures and help with expenses including rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance, and utilities.
The funding amount for each business is based how many B.C. employees or contracted staff they had at the time of closure.
This $10-million provincial program complements existing federal government programs, including the recently expanded Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.
Apply by February 28, 2022.
Businesses can email questions to: covid@smallbusinessbc.ca
Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund | Apply by February 14, 2022
The Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund is a response to the Tourism Task Force’s recommendation to provide relief from fixed costs like property taxes, BC Hydro fees, and Crown tenure and park permit fees.
One-time grants to offset certain fixed costs are available for:
Large accommodation providers
Tourism-based commercial recreation businesses operating on Crown land or in BC Parks
The Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund is a response to the Tourism Task Force’s recommendation to provide relief from fixed costs like property taxes, BC Hydro fees, and Crown tenure and park permit fees.
One-time grants to offset certain fixed costs are available for:
Large accommodation providers
Tourism-based commercial recreation businesses operating on Crown land or in BC Parks
To be eligible for this grant, businesses must:
Be majority-owned by one or more B.C. residents
Not owe any tax payments from before the 2020 tax year
Not have permanently ceased operations
Businesses that are seasonal or temporarily closed are eligible
Funding will be awarded in 3 streams:
Property tax relief for large accommodation providers
BC Hydro cost relief for Indigenous-owned large accommodation providers operating on reserve
Relief of fees for rent under Land Act Tenures or Park Use Permits for tourism-based commercial recreation operators
Tourism Relief Fund
The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses, non-profits, and organizations to adapt operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth.
UPDATE: Indigenous sole proprietors are now eligible under the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) with costs qualified on a retroactive basis up to twelve months prior to the receipt of a project application, but no earlier than April 19, 2021.
The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses, non-profits, and organizations to adapt operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives, and $15 million for national initiatives, this fund will position Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:
empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
Tourism Relief Fund projects will focus on:
Product development: For example, projects that enhance tourism experiences; help tourism businesses adapt to the “new normal” and modernize their offerings; and, encourage the adoption of more environmentally sustainable and inclusive practices.
Destination development: For example, projects that position communities to take advantage of post-pandemic opportunities through strategic planning for medium- to long-term investments, as well as supporting destination development prospects in line with objectives set out in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.
Applications will be accepted and funded on a continuous intake basis over the next two years or until such a time as the allocated funding is fully distributed.
Government of Canada Support Programs Available for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses
The following federal business recovery programs are available to support your business:
Note: If you applied for the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) for period 22 (October 24 to November 20, 2021), you may have been affected by an error in the calculation spreadsheet for wage and hiring support, which erroneously showed they were ineligible for the THRP when they may have been eligible.
The following federal business recovery programs are available to support your business.
To understand what your company is eligible for, complete the Determine Your Eligibility form.
Note: These programs were formally known as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).
Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
Apply for wage/hiring subsidy, rent/property subsidy, or both. Business, charity, or non-profit part of the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors, or affected by a qualifying public health restriction.
Note: If you applied for the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) for period 22 (October 24 to November 20, 2021), you may have been affected by an error in the calculation spreadsheet for wage and hiring support, which erroneously showed they were ineligible for the THRP when they may have been eligible.
Local Lockdown Program
The Local Lockdown Program is a way businesses, charities, and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction can be eligible for wage and rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).
You do not have to be in the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors to be eligible for this support.
Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program
Eligible organizations, regardless of their sector, may qualify for the HHBRP if they don’t qualify for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
Eligible employers can claim either the higher of the CRHP, or the wage portion of:
the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP), or
the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP)
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)
Temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown. Employees can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period. You may apply for any weeks your region has a COVID-19 lockdown order between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program | Apply by January 28, 2022
The new BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program will support the expansion of farmers’ markets to accommodate more vendors and maintain operations during emergencies to ensure communities throughout B.C. have continued access to food. The one-time program is providing $475,000, with up to $15,000 available for each eligible applicant.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 28, 2022 on a first-come, first-served basis or until available funding has been fully committed.
Farmers’ markets in the province are receiving funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia to help cover the costs to expand local food and beverage sales, and operate during emergencies.
The new BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program will support the expansion of farmers’ markets to accommodate more vendors and maintain operations during emergencies to ensure communities throughout B.C. have continued access to food. The one-time program is providing $475,000, with up to $15,000 available for each eligible applicant.
Farmers’ markets can use the funding for signs and merchandising, storage and transportation, and power and operations costs. Eligible applicants include non-profit groups, co-operatives, for-profit corporations, local governments, and First Nations that operate a farmers’ market that primarily sells B.C. food and beverage products.
The funding is a one-time, cost-shared, reimbursement-based program delivered through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, in collaboration with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. It will help markets come back stronger from their pre-pandemic operating levels, set a strong foundation for future growth and long-term success, and support efforts to strengthen B.C.’s food security.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 28, 2022 on a first-come, first-served basis or until available funding has been fully committed.
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)
The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.
The CWLB is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown order is designated for a province or region.
Those eligible for the CWLB, can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period and apply for any weeks their region is eligible between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.
The CWLB is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown order is designated for a province or region.
Those eligible for the CWLB, can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period and apply for any weeks their region is eligible between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
Local Lockdown Program for Non-Tourism Organizations
The new Local Lockdown Program is a way non-tourism and hospitality businesses, charities, and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction can be eligible for wage and rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).
The new Local Lockdown Program is a way non-tourism and hospitality businesses, charities, and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction can be eligible for wage and rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).
BC Increased Employment Incentive
Applications for the B.C. Increased Employment Incentive must be received by December 31st.
The BC Increased Employment Incentive is a one-time refundable tax credit for employers which encouraged the creation of new jobs for BC workers or increases in payroll for existing low or middle-income employees in the last quarter ending December 31st.
The tax credit is calculated at 15% of the amount that the employer’s eligible remuneration for the last quarter exceeds the employer’s eligible remuneration for the quarter ending September 30th, 2020.
The B.C. Increased Employment Incentive is a one-time refundable tax credit for employers. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2021.
The Increased Employment Incentive allows employers to apply for a one-time tax credit. The credit is 15% of the amount that the employer’s total eligible remuneration for all eligible employees in the qualifying period exceeds the employer’s total eligible remuneration for all eligible employees in the base period.
The base period is from July 1 to September 30, 2020.
The qualifying period is from October 1 to December 31, 2020.
All employers are eligible for the credit if they:
Increased their eligible remuneration for the qualifying period compared to the base period
Had a permanent establishment in B.C. for the qualifying period, even if they didn’t begin to have a permanent establishment in B.C. until after September 30, 2020
New Support for Small Business: Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
Applications open October 26 for grants of up to $5,000 to cover costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to business to meet health and safety requirements, and enhance digital/e-commerce capabilities.
Applications open October 26 for grants of up to $5,000 to cover costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to business to meet health and safety requirements, and enhance digital/e-commerce capabilities.
For Small Business Week, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced an investment of $12 million in the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund.
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, which is managed by the OCC, is supporting Canadian businesses across different sectors and industries with grants of up to $5,000. These grants will help thousands of small business owners cover the costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to their businesses to meet local health and safety requirements, and enhance their digital or e-commerce capabilities. This is especially important as we enter the second wave of the pandemic.
Canada United is a national fundraising campaign created by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in collaboration with private sector partners and provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). The campaign has been rallying support from Canadians for local small businesses in every corner of the country.
This investment builds on the Government of Canada’s continued support for small and local businesses through a wide range of COVID-19 emergency programs, such as the expanded Canada Emergency Business Account, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
Quick facts
Starting on October 26, small businesses can apply online through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the next wave of Canada United Small Business Relief Fund grants.
Applications are open to small businesses across sectors and industries in every part of the country that have between $150,000 and $3 million in annual sales; have up to 75 employees; are registered in Canada; and would use the grant to cover the costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to their businesses to meet local health and safety requirements, and enhance their digital or e-commerce capabilities.
To support Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada introduced the largest relief package in our country’s history, which includes the following major programs for business owners and their employees:
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is helping businesses by covering up to 75% of payroll, retroactive to March 15 and with the intention of continuing support into summer 2021.
The expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) will provide businesses with an additional $20,000 interest-free loan on top of the original $40,000 CEBA loan.
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, building on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA), would provide simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by the pandemic.
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies and supports small businesses across Canada that have been unable to access existing relief measures. Originally vested with $962 million, the RRRF has been topped up with an additional $600 million.
In addition to broad support programs, the government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan includes targeted measures to help tourism businesses, rural communities, artists and athletes, innovative high-growth businesses, Indigenous-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs, farmers and agri-food businesses, and more.
The new application window will be open on Monday, October 26, 2020.