go2HR’s B.C. Labour Market Survey

Help the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Return to a New Normal

Participate in the go2HR’s B.C. labour market survey and enter into a draw for prizes valued at $1,500.

go2HR has been hard at work undertaking a Labour Market Information research project to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our workforce. Even before COVID-19, the industry faced some significant human resource challenges. These challenges may increase as we emerge from the pandemic.

go2HR is seeking feedback from a representative sample of employers across all sectors and regions of the province. It takes approximately 25 minutes to complete the survey to share the impact of COVID-19 on your tourism operators, human resource issues, and what can be done to help industry in dealing with these issues going forward. Any information provided will be held confidential, used only for the purpose of this study, and reported only in summary form with the responses of other respondents.

Support Tourism Workers in Need Through the BC Hospitality Foundation Online Raffle

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that tickets for its first-ever online 50/50 raffle are now on sale. This online lottery initiative is a fundraiser in lieu of in person events due to the pandemic. The BCHF, which is the only charity of its kind in Canada, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member.

The raffle starts with a $1,000 jackpot and will increase with every ticket purchased above and beyond until sales close on August 16th 2021. The raffle is half way through sales, with the jackpot is sitting at $2,390. Help BCHF reach $5,000 this week. Winner takes half!

The initiative is a fundraiser for the BCHF, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need, such as:

• Server who suffered soft tissue and head injury from being struck by a car as a pedestrian – covered her rent for a month and other basic expenses so she could return to work.

• Cook who suffered a stroke and his wife had to have an emergency root canal - covered the cost of the dental work and basic living costs for 1 month.

• Restaurant worker who contracted an infection while giving birth to a premature baby girl. Mother and baby were transferred to hospital and stayed for over 3 weeks. The BCHF helped the family to cover the extraordinary costs of the father’s travel, older sister’s care, and living out of home for 21 nights

The winning name will be drawn at noon on August 17 and will be posted on the BCHF website and social media shortly thereafter, pending notification to the winner. Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member.

Purchase tickets online, and view updated jackpot as tickets are purchased.

Resource Roundup | Emergency Wildfire Resources

Sunset from atop Battle Bluff, Thompson Valley
Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

Wildfires across the province have become significant enough that the BC government declared a provincial state of emergency effective July 21, 2021 to support the province wide response to the ongoing wildfire situation. The government is working with the tourism sector to convey the message that many areas of B.C. are open to travel, but public safety is paramount.

TOTA employs a Crisis Management Coordinator, who regularly engages with Emergency Management BC, to closely monitor the region and work with impacted communities, tourism businesses, Indigenous partners, and other stakeholders. 

As well, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program advisors continue to support tourism business operators in the region and are available to provide 1:1 support and plans for moving forward.

We know this is a challenging time for many tourism businesses who have just entered Step 3 of the B.C. Restart Plan and in need of a busy season to recover.

We invite you to share your current experiences so we can inform government of the evolving situation, such as:

• Are you receiving cancellations that are due to concerns (real or perceived) with the wildfire situation?

• Are your customers expressing concern about their plans and whether or not to continue their vacation?

• Are your customers proceeding regardless of the wildfires and smoke, but changing their itinerary as the situation evolves?

• Are you facing any other crisis related challenges?

Feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com with any information on the following questions and other concerns.

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Register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database

We request that all tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation. Thank you.

Register Your Emergency Contact Info

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Emergency Preparedness Resources

Destination BC Resources

Destination BC has prepared current Emergency Messaging Guidance to help the tourism industry navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions.

As part of this, industry partners are encouraged to use the hashtag #RealTime[community name] on social media to ensure current and future visitors have an accurate ‘real time’ visual on current conditions (blue skies, business as usual etc.). Add the date and time the photo was taken, and tag key tourism partners in your post (@DestinationBC / @ThompsnOkanagan on Twitter, @HelloBC / @Thompson_Okanagan on Instagram, and @ThompsonOkanagan on Facebook ) and your Community DMO partners so it can be amplified.

The messaging guidance can be found on Destination BC's Emergency Preparedness page, along with safe and responsible travel graphics for you to use on your channels, a visitor-facing safe travel brochure (web and print version), and the links to Know Before You Go information.

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Provincial Resources

We have compiled the latest resources to support tourism businesses through this time. We encourage tourism business operators to review the emergency preparedness information below (and on the TOTA Emergency Preparedness page for future reference).

Important resources for communities, destination marketing organizations (DMO's) and tourism operators to use to communicate with guests and prospective visitors can be found here:

1. go2HR Emergency Planning Resources for Tourism Operators including templates, tools, and checklists

2. PreparedBC's 3 steps for preparedness

3. EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation orders

4. B.C. Wildfire Preparedness Guide

5. BC Wildfire Service and interactive map

6. Air Quality Health Index map

7. DriveBC's info about road closures, major events and transportation delays

8. Destination BC's "Know Before You Go" for visitors

9. Thompson Okanagan’s “Know Before You Go” for visitors

Financial Resources

Business and Agriculture Recovery Programs

• The Agri-Business Planning Program provides support for Disaster recovery planning to help producers implement an immediate and long-term disaster recovery plan. The program will provide access to basic financial analysis, specialized business planning and coaching services.
   

• ​Community Futures provides on-the-ground support for businesses. Businesses having a difficult time managing cash flow, planning for the future, selling their business, or seeking other support are encouraged to contact their regional/ local Community Futures Office to learn about the range of support available.

• InvestLocalBC is a crowdfunding platform designed for local nonprofits to create online forums to fund, support and evolve their initiatives and projects. The standard five per cent fixed funding administrative fee is waived for non-profit organizations, businesses and arts and cultural organizations experiencing impacts from wildfires.

Preparing to Support People with Unique Preparedness Needs

Resources to support people with various abilities in preparing for an emergency. You may need to think about additional preparations for guests with hearing, mobility, speech, cognitive, or other challenges.

Learn More

Recovering After a Wildfire

• Recovering after a wildfire and Recovering after a flood pages provide steps to consider before you re-enter or clean your home.

• Visit a Red Cross Support Center or call 1 800 863-6582 (Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM PT) to make an appointment.

• Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) can provide answers to individuals and businesses with insurance questions and concerns.

• The Ministry of Children and Family Development can be reached at 1 877 387-7027 to access services for children, families and caregivers, including child and youth mental-health services.

Federal Recovery Programs

• Tourism Relief Fund (TRF): to help tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. The $500 million national initiative across Canada will be administered by Western Economic Diversification in Western Canada.

• Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Subsidy to cover a portion of eligible expenses until September 25, 2021. Also includes an additional Lockdown Support of 25% if your business was significantly affected by a public health order. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525

• Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Aimed at sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment, and will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans up to $1 million for up to ten years.

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers part of your employee wages retroactively back to December 20, 2020 until September 25, 2021. The maximum subsidy is 75%. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525

• Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is designed to encourage businesses to grow as the economy recovers, whether it’s due to hiring and rehiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay. Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS or CRHP - here is a comparison between the two programs.

• Indigenous Programs: First Peoples' Cultural Council Arts Program. Grants ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 for Indigenous B.C. residents open for the Spring 2021 intake.

First Nations Wildfire Supports

The Province of B.C. works closely with First Nations, local authorities, and businesses to ensure programs are in place to help those impacted by emergencies and to discuss local solutions for community recovery.

• First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Environmental Public Health Services provides public health inspection, assessment and advisory services for in-community facilities.

• The Local Authorities and First Nations Recovery Toolkit (PDF, 500KB) is intended to guide Local Authorities and First Nations as they plan for disaster recovery, including planning for community recovery, infrastructure recovery, demobilization and debris management.

• The Financial Assistance for Emergency Response and Recovery Costs: A Guide for Local Authorities and First Nations (PDF, 971KB) provides local authorities and First Nations in British Columbia with information on the procedures required to maximize claims for financial assistance with the costs of both response and recovery.

Top Ten Steps to Prepare your Business for Evacuation

If you are on evacuation alert or think you will be put on evacuation alert, there are some important steps you will want to consider. If you have an evacuation plan, review the plan and start the implementation process.

If you do not have an evacuation plan, you can review this print-friendly list of 10 things to consider for your business to prepare by the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA).

General Tourism Resources

For the latest industry info and trends, you can refer to TOTA's News Centre, Research page, Resiliency Research page and Fast Facts publication.

We also recommend signing up for the Destination BC and Destination Canada industry newsletters for additional tourism industry news.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Names New President & CEO

Kelowna, BC – Michael J Ballingall, Board Chair of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, formally announced the appointment of Ellen Walker-Matthews as the CEO of the destination management organization.

Walker-Matthews succeeds Glenn Mandziuk, who officially resigned from the position June 25, 2021 after heading the organization for the past 13 years.

Ballingall indicated that the association is being placed in very capable hands. “Ellen has an extensive history with TOTA during which she has built a stellar reputation. In the past six months she has continued to demonstrate the leadership qualities that both the sector and our organization require as we forge our way through the COVID pandemic and look to create a strong path moving forward.”

“The past 15 months have been incredibly challenging for the tourism industry and individual businesses,” said Walker-Matthews. “I am surrounded by an incredible team and supportive Board and am honoured to play a role in helping the sector not only get back on its feet – but come back stronger than ever and carve out an exciting future for tourism in this region.”

Ballingall and Walker-Matthews. Walker-Matthews has spent the past 29 years living in Summerland, BC – so, it is only fitting that the signing of the formal agreement would take place in the community she calls home.

Walker-Matthews has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry, including the last 11 with TOTA in various capacities, including Vice President of Stewardship, Senior Vice President and, for the past six months, Acting President and CEO. She has spearheaded and played a significant role in key initiatives including Biosphere Certification, GreenStep Certification, and Green Destination Top 100; overseeing the Tourism Resiliency Program; development and implementation of regional tourism strategies; and sales, marketing, and business plans.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism region includes 90 communities and hamlets and 33 Indigenous communities – and is located on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territory of three Interior Salish nations: the Syilx, Nlaka’pamux, and Secwépemc Peoples.

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About TOTA

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) provides destination development, marketing, industry and experience development, and research services in an effort to minimize the industry's impact on our natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit TOTABC.org

Media Contact:

Kelly Gleeson
kgleeson@LBMG.ca
604-240-6231

FireSmart Community Funding & Support

The First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) are working with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development to deliver the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program.

Eligible applicants:

• Include all local governments (municipalities and regional districts) and First Nations (bands, Treaty First Nations and Indigenous National Governments with authority for lands and resources) in BC are eligible to apply.

• May apply for up to $50,000 or $150,000, depending on their specific risk of wildfire. There are opportunities to apply for additional funding for regional districts, and for fuel management proposals that include Provincial Crown land within and adjacent to community boundaries. Information on determining risk is provided in Appendix 2 of the Program Guide.

For enquiries about the program or application process, please contact UBCM at cri@ubcm.ca or 250-356-2947.

The FireSmart Begins at Home Manual was developed to help people reduce the risk of personal property damage due to wildfires.

Download FireSmart Guides & Manuals here.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Indigenous Community Business Fund

Indigenous Tourism BC in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and the Aboriginal Financial Institutions in BC are once again delivering a Tourism and Hospitality Fund through the Indigenous Community Business Fund.

The fund supports the operation of the businesses as well as costs to support the adaptation, planning and reopening of businesses.

It is intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these businesses and micro-businesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic, with the goal of positioning them for recovery.

This fund will provide non-repayable grant contributions to First Nation owned businesses and micro-businesses in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Who can Apply

Your community or collectives are eligible if the business:

• is First Nations, community or collectively-owned business

• is located in the provinces of BC

• has been in operation since October 1, 2019

• has either incurred a negative financial impact due to COVID-19 or that financial support will prevent layoffs, bankruptcy or permanent closure

• has been solvent, financially viable, and not declared bankrupt prior to the economic disruptions associated with COVID-19

• currently operates as a for profit entity and expects to continue to operate with a reduction in revenues from the previous year over the coming months as a result of COVID-19 in line with the terms of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

• has previously applied for federal business support and been declined, in whole or in part, or does not qualify under business support eligibility criteria:

• this may include applications to more than 1 federal program depending on the requested support

• First Nations, may apply for funding for 1 or more community-owned businesses.

A Need for an Accommodation Plan in B.C.

Emergency Management BC is asking people in wildfire-affected communities to plan their accommodations, in the event of an evacuation order, in advance to help ensure capacity for evacuees who need hotel rooms.

If possible, the best option would be to arrange to stay with family or friends, so commercial accommodations have capacity for evacuees who have no other option.

If you are under an evacuation order, you can self-register with ESS online.

If you cannot self-register online, go the reception centre designated by your local government or First Nation to register in-person. By registering, your community will know where you are, and loved ones can find out if you are safe.

Emergency Management BC urges people who have self-evacuated to larger communities due to smoky conditions to consider returning home. Because smoky conditions shift and move, self-evacuating to another community does not guarantee a person’s exposure will be reduced. Unnecessary relocation or travel will only add stress and anxiety that can also have negative health effects.

In many communities, accommodations are reaching capacity. By returning home, people can help host-community ESS create capacity for people who have been evacuated from their homes due to a direct wildfire threat.

If you are not on evacuation order and you are worried about smoke issues in your area:

• Stay indoors and keep the air clean (windows/doors closed, no smoking, no burning fireplaces/candles/incense, no vacuuming).

• Reduce the amount of time spent outdoors. Avoid vigorous outdoor activities.

• When in a vehicle, keep windows closed with air conditioning set to recirculate.

• Visit places with controlled air supply, such as shopping malls, swimming pools, public libraries, etc.

• People with asthma or other chronic illnesses should ensure they have an adequate supply of inhalers/medication, and should activate their asthma or personal protection plans.

For information on evacuation orders and alerts, stay tuned to your local authority’s public information channels and Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

Click here to read the full news release.

Changes for Travellers Entry to Canada

Effective August 9th, to be eligible to enter Canada, fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents must have received the full series of a vaccine - or combination of vaccines - accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide evidence supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation (along with the original).

What Changes August 9th:

• Allow discretionary (non-essential) travel for fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents, currently residing in the U.S., who meet all required criteria. This includes the need to submit information electronically through ArriveCAN.

• Allow entry of unvaccinated children under 12 years of age, or unvaccinated dependent children (due to a mental or physical condition), who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently residing in the U.S. and who are accompanying a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor who either has a right to enter Canada (e.g. Canadian citizens and permanent residents), is a U.S. citizen and permanent resident currently residing in the U.S, or is otherwise is permitted entry under the US Prohibition on Entry Order made under the Quarantine Act. They must meet all other required criteria, including submitting information electronically through ArriveCAN and all testing requirements.

• Travellers who do not meet all the required eligibility requirements for discretionary (non-essential) travel will be denied entry into Canada, precluded from boarding their flight, and/or could face additional fines on arrival. It is therefore important that all travellers find out about whether they are eligible to enter Canada well in advance of their travel, and understand applicable requirements.

Testing Requirements

• Allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents travelling to the U.S. for less than 72 hours to do their pre-entry test in Canada.

• Allow individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, but continue to test positive, to present a positive COVID-19 molecular test result on a specimen taken 14 to 180 days prior to arrival in Canada as part of the pre-arrival test requirements.

• Adjust post-arrival testing for fully vaccinated travellers. Using a new border testing surveillance program at airports and land border crossings, fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test. This shift responds to the pandemic's evolution and will monitor prevalence in travellers. It will also identify new variants of concern entering Canada and provide intelligence, including vaccine effectiveness.

• There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.

Temperature screening requirements

• Due to the improving epidemiological situation in Canada, effective August 9, 2021, Transport Canada will remove the requirement for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to perform pre-board temperature screening of passengers on all domestic flights and international departures (including Transborder), as well as airport workers.

Quarantine Requirements

• Eliminate the three-night government-authorized hotel stay requirement for all travellers arriving by air as of 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 9.

• Continue to require unvaccinated travellers to undergo Day 1 and Day 8 COVID-19 molecular tests, and complete a mandatory 14 day quarantine, subject to limited exceptions.

• Unvaccinated children under 12 years of age and dependent children (due to a mental or physical condition) of fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to complete a 14 day quarantine, but must follow strict public health measures. This includes those travelling from the U.S for discretionary purposes. This means they can move around with their parents, but must avoid group settings - such as camps or daycares - during the first 14 days after their arrival. Unvaccinated children will remain subject to the Day 1 and Day 8 testing requirements. Provinces and territories may have more stringent rules around people who have recently returned from travel. More details will be available in the coming days.

Proof of vaccination for foreign nationals permitted entry for discretionary purposes, who enter on the basis of their vaccination status

• Starting August 9, 2021, air carriers will be verifying that the travellers coming to Canada have submitted their information digitally by using the ArriveCAN app or website before they board their flight. Discretionary travellers who are unable to show their ArriveCAN receipt – either on their mobile device or a printed copy - will not be allowed to board their flight to Canada, as they are ineligible to enter Canada. In addition to their ArriveCAN receipt, travellers should carry their actual vaccine certificate with them to show officials at the border entry point.

Discretionary travellers include:

• Fully vaccinated American citizens or permanent residents who reside in the U.S., and are entering from the U.S. for discretionary (non-essential) travel (starting on August 9, 2021); and

• Other fully vaccinated foreign nationals coming to Canada for discretionary (non-essential) purposes (intended to start on September 7, 2021)

• Travellers with a right to entry, (e.g. Canadian citizens and permanent residents), or travellers who qualify for entry under another exemption (e.g. immediate or extended family member) or who are coming to Canada for essential reasons (such as temporary foreign workers, or international students) will not be denied boarding, but will be required to submit information relating to their vaccination status via the ArriveCAN app or website.

Read the full announcement from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

BC Provincial State of Emergency Declared

The B.C. government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to support the provincewide response to the ongoing wildfire situation.

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, made the declaration on July 20, 2021, based upon the recommendation from the BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC. The declaration will be in effect starting July 21, 2021.

The state of emergency is initially in effect for 14 days once issued and may be extended or rescinded as necessary. The state of emergency applies to the whole province and ensures federal, provincial and local resources can be delivered in a co-ordinated response to protect the public, which remains the provincial government's top priority.

“Public safety is always our first priority, and as wildfire activity is expected to increase, this is a progressive step in our wildfire response to make sure British Columbia has access to extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act,” Farnworth said. “In a briefing last night, I received word that we’ll be facing a few days of very difficult weather in the Interior. This declaration will address the potential of a mass evacuation scenario and provide our government with the means to secure the accommodation spaces necessary to house our citizens, if necessary.”

As of July 20, there were 299 wildfires burning in B.C., with 40 evacuation orders affecting approximately 5,724 people (2,862 properties), in addition to 69 evacuation alerts impacting approximately 32,076 people (16,038 properties). The extended weather forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions, with heightened wind activity in the Interior and southeastern B.C.

More than 3,180 firefighters and resource staff are currently actively engaged in fighting fires in all fire regions in the province. This includes 1,080 contractors and 135 out-of-province resources.

The federal government has responded to and accepted British Columbia’s request for firefighting assistance. In the coming days, federal personnel and resources will be arriving in B.C. to assist with wildfire efforts.

The state of emergency gives agencies, such as the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Emergency Management BC, the fire commissioner and the RCMP, the authority to take every action necessary to fight the wildfires and protect people and communities.

Quick Facts:

• Declarations of provincial states of emergency may be issued by the minister responsible under the Emergency Program Act.

• The provincial government can extend the period of a declaration made by the minister responsible for further periods of time.

Learn More:

For information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

Keep up to date on the provincial wildfire situation: www.bcwildfire.ca