150 Time Immemorial Grant Program | Apply by December 24, 2021

Indigenous communities, local governments and eligible organizations can apply for funding under the 150 Time Immemorial Program for projects that promote and educate British Columbians about diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and resiliency.

Funding will be provided to successful applicants through three streams:

1. Indigenous Cultural Heritage Infrastructure grants;

2. Sense of Place grants; and

3. Cultural Heritage Stewardship grants.

Eligible applicants include:

• A local government established by or under British Columbia statute

• An Indigenous government or organization

• A not-for-profit society registered in B.C. in good standing and governed by Indigenous people (at least 51% of directors identify as Indigenous)

The deadline for submission is December 24, 2021.

DBC Call for Content: BC’s Bounty – A Guide to Winter Flavours and Festivals in 2021

From festive menus filled with warm-your-belly delights, to cozy spaces for heartfelt social gatherings (and even some in-person events!), it’s time to celebrate the ways that winter’s food and drink offerings can help brighten our year.

Let’s showcase the ways in which BC residents and travellers alike can usher in the new season—together—over delicious food, drink, and holiday events. Here’s where our partners come in:

1. Let DBC know if your community or region has created or will be creating any web content that promotes winter food and drink experiences and festivities. Please ensure that content features providers and businesses that are currently open and follow current public health orders. As always, DBC will only feature businesses that comply with BC’s latest health and safety orders.

This could be in the form of:

• a roundup of holiday events at wineries, breweries, etc.

• info on holiday menus and where to buy local products for gifting

• a listicle of cozy/winter food & drink experiences (cocktail bars, cafes, bakeries, comfort foods etc.)

2. For members of the BC Story Network, consider repurposing an existing story into an AMP or create new AMPs and tag them with the Theme “Winter,” and the Campaign “Recovery”. 

Example: Did you know folks in Kimberley celebrate flannel in February? 

3. If you use CrowdRiff as part of the UGC Partnership Network, encourage local businesses and partners to upload assets to CrowdRiff Collector, featuring local residents and visitors enjoying BC’s fall harvest season for inclusion in curated UGC galleries that can be embedded on websites, consumer emails, and social channels.

4. Please ensure you continue to tag @helloBC on Instagram and use the hashtags #exploreBC so that we may consider your content for amplification.

Send content to GlobalContent@DestinationBC.ca with “BC’s Bounty – Winter” in the subject line so we can fold it into our content planning and distribution, starting November 22nd. 

Managing Mental Health in a Changing Workplace

Our work environment has shifted over the past 19 months – whether new hours, new responsibilities or working remotely. Rather than letting the stress take over, you can control how you respond. Visit BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health to learn how to cope and prioritize your mental health.

Features Resources:

• Coaching Supports for Stress, Low Mood, and Worry

• Coping with Natural Disaster Stress

• Returning to Normal

• Body Image at Work

• Tourism Resiliency Network Business Advice

• Workplace Mental Health Training & Safety Talks

• and more

Swoop Announces Expansion, Including Daily Flights Between Kelowna and Edmonton

Swoop Airlines has announced its largest expansion ever with eight new Canadian destinations added to its summer 2022 schedule, including daily flights to Kelowna / Edmonton beginning on May 5.

These flights will run 7 days a week and one way fare is priced at $49.00 + taxes and fees.

About Swoop

Swoop is on a mission to make travel more affordable and accessible for all Canadians. Established in 2018 as an independent subsidiary of the WestJet Group of Companies, Swoop is Canada’s ultra-not-expensive airline. Offering scheduled service to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean, Swoop’s unbundled fares put travellers in control of purchasing only the products and services they desire.

Swoop’s modern fleet of ten Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, equipped with in-seat power and Wi-Fi connectivity has safely carried more than 3 million travellers in three years of operation.

 FlySwoop.com allows travellers to quickly and easily book flights, manage bookings, check-in, view boarding passes, track flights and access Wi-Fi service in-flight.     

An Open Letter to Parliamentarians from Canada Ski Council

Letter originally published November 15, 2021 in the Capital Hill Times

"On behalf of Canada’s 236 ski areas, we want to thank you for supporting Canadians, our employees and our sector during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Collectively, Stats Canada estimated the pre-pandemic economic impact of ski areas to be $1.2 Billion. The same estimate pegged employment at 35,000 people. The pandemic negatively affected ski areas across the country seeing revenues drop by up to 60%. As our nation emerges from the worst of the pandemic, the coming winter promises to be a recovery year for ski areas as restrictions lift and businesses return to more normal operating routines. Canada’s ski areas stand ready to play a part in the economic recovery of the tourism sector.

Our value to Canadians

The CSC research estimates that up to 21% of the Canadian population (7.9 million people) has tried or is actively engaged in snow sports. Of the active market (those who have purchased a lift ticket in the past season), the CSC estimates that in 2018/19, there were 2.7 million active Canadian skiers and snowboarders.

The ski industry in Canada is a labour-intensive business. Total annual payroll in 2018/19 is estimated at over $450 million, with ski area contributions of over $50 million in payroll taxes. With total employment estimated at over 35,000 winter staff, the industry is relied upon by many small resort town communities.

It is imperative that after nearly two years of restrictions and lock downs that Canadians are able to get outside and enjoy our wonderful Canadian winters to the fullest. Skiing and snowboarding offer physical and mental health benefits as a winter activity.  Perhaps this has never been as important as Canadians seek naturally distanced outdoor activities. 

A looming threat to our recovery

The tourism industry has appreciated the work of the federal government to support our operators and workers, however a significant threat has emerged to our recovery. The labour shortage at Canadian ski areas has become a critical issue that may see as much as 30% of positions go unfilled this winter. Our members will not allow operations to go on in a manner that compromises safety. Still, the current shortage means that many supporting hospitality businesses will face closure or reduced hours that will further hamper the economic recovery of our industry.

Ski areas across our nation are working hard to engage the domestic workforce for this coming winter. However, a key constraint on the tourism labour force is the low number of International Experience Canada (IEC) participants entering the country. Commonly referred to as working holiday travellers, these individuals are essential workers for the tourism sector. Since March 2021, the number of IEC permits being issued has fallen well below normal levels—and the number of individuals who then actually arrive in Canada on an IEC permit is likely even lower. Rejections of working holiday visas, closed application centres, lack of available biometric screening, and other necessary pandemic measures have contributed to what has been described as a “tightly wound knot” in an essential source of workers. Canada’s ski areas are losing employees due to the extreme backlog of applications.

We are asking the federal government of Canada to ensure all available measures are taken to increase resources focused on the processing of PR and Visa applications relating to winter tourism businesses.

The Canadian Ski Council and our members urge the Government of Canada to act swiftly on this opportunity to preserve the winter tourism season in our country.

Sincerely,

Canadian Ski Council"

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Note on:

“It is a requirement to wear masks on gondolas, on ski lifts, in lineups when you're close to people, and are more and more important this year, of course, but we also encourage everybody who's going there to be vaccinated.” In fact, masks are required on gondolas, but not lifts and lines.  This created a tremor in the ski sector for 24 hours as the CWSAA clarified for operators…it had huge and immediate staffing implications. Fortunately all was resolved.

The following are the notes CWSAA sent to ski area general managers re: the BC Ski Lifts & Face Coverings:

As sometimes happens in the myriad of details, at the November 9th BC Government COVID press briefing, a response to a question around face coverings and enclosed carriers inadvertently conveyed that masks were mandatory on all lifts and lift lines. CWSAA has confirmed with officials today the following:

• Passengers on enclosed carriers (gondolas & trams) require face coverings

• Face coverings are not mandated by regulation on outdoor chairlifts, surface lifts, and lift lines. However they are recommended and encouraged.

• Indoor spaces have face covering and vaccination requirements as per health orders 

Notice of TIAC AGM - January 19, 2022

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 10:30 am. to 1:30 p.m. PST virtually – details still to come.

To access the proxy vote or nomination form, click on the following:

1. Proxy Vote Form

2. Nomination Form

These documents and the link to register to the AGM require you to log in to your membership account with TIAC.

If you have forgotten your login information to access benefits or renew your membership, click here and input your email address and check your inbox.

GreenStep Accepted into UN Accelerator Program

Congratulations are in order for BC based GreenStep Solutions who have been selected out of hundreds of applicants, as one of only ten companies in Canada to be accepted into the United Nations (UN) Global Compact Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Ambition Programme.

GreenStep will participate in a six-month accelerator that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact, including Suncor Energy and Bell Canada, in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 SDGs into core business management.

As a company that supports small and medium enterprises to measure and improve their sustainability performance, GreenStep’s participation in this program will provide an exciting opportunity to more holistically integrate the SDGs into existing and future services, software and programs, as well as setting internal targets towards improving their own sustainability performance.

TIABC Releases 2021 Advocacy Report Card

TIABC is pleased to release the 2021 Advocacy Report Card, which details the updated advocacy efforts and achievements of the organization since fall, 2020.

TIABC’s updated Advocacy Report Card represents the additional work that has been done in the past 12 months and offers a level of accountability to valued members and stakeholders that guide and support the organization’s efforts each year.

You are invited to read the report and connect with TIABC at any time at info@tiabc.ca for questions, comments or recommendations on TIABC’s direction or priorities, as well as any other issues affecting your business.

Swoop Airlines Announces Air Bridge between Kelowna & Abbotsford

Swoop has added new flights between Abbotsford (YXX) and Kelowna (YLW) for travellers in immediate need of transportation or those travelling to assist in the recovery efforts and emergency response.

These flights are being offered for $79 to $99 all-in, from November 22nd to December 15th. They have also increased flights between Edmonton (YEG) and Abbotsford with fares starting at $49 all-in.

Flights are available 4x weekly until December 15, and 3x weekly from December 16 to January 9.

For up-to-date information on the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) please visit www.abbotsfordairport.ca.

Employee Support During Floods & Other Natural Disasters: Tips & Resources from go2HR

go2HR has shared a list of practical things employers can do to help support employees during and after a natural disaster:

1. Check in – Remember that employees may be dealing with the impacts of a disaster both at home and at work. Check in regularly with them and encourage them to do the same. Where possible, provide support such as contact information for your employee family assistance program, benefits provider, employment insurance or mental health resources.

2. Communicate – During and after a disaster, communication will be critical. Provide ongoing communication, updates and information using as many channels as possible (texts, email, social media, phone, communication apps, etc.). Access to power may be limited or interrupted during a disaster so be sure to keep messages brief and concise.

3. Offer flexibility – Often in times of disaster, individuals, businesses and communities join together to support each other. While some employees may need time off to deal with their personal situations, others may have a desire to be involved in clean up or rebuilding efforts however they may not be able to financially afford to take the time off. Offer flexibility such as additional time off (paid or unpaid), alternate work schedules, or adjust shift start/end times for employees who need or seek to be involved.

4. Move forward – As the initial shock and emergency response period passes and recovery efforts start, everyone’s attention will turn to regaining a sense of normalcy. Employees will want and need to know what is happening in their workplace and what is expected of them. Be sure to let your employees know how the business has been impacted and their job/shifts, etc. as a result. Depending on how your business has been impacted, this may include communicating information such as:

• When they can expect to get back to work

• What their schedule will look like

• What they should do if they need additional time off to deal with insurance, clean up or other personal challenges related to the flood

• What they should do if they are working from home and their work equipment has been damaged, etc.

As recovery and clean-up efforts start to get underway, it is important to recognize that it will take time and that individuals will respond and process the events in their own way.

Additional Mental Health Resource

• Tips for Coping with Natural Disaster Stress - If you or your employees are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone and support is available. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC offers tips and resources to help cope with natural disaster stress.

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Canada Drops PCR Test Requirement for Short Trips to US

By the end of the month, fully vaccinated Canadians returning home from international trips 72 hours or less won’t have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

The new rule goes into effect on November 30th, and only applies to Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act.

The exemption also applies to children under 12, and individuals with medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination, however, fully vaccinated Canadians returning from trips longer than 72 hours will still be required to show proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon return.

Also starting November 30th, vaccination will be required for travel within and out of Canada. A negative COVID-19 molecular test will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers have an exemption, such as a legitimate medical reason to not be vaccinated.

Furthermore, come January 15th, certain groups of travellers currently exempt from entry requirements will only be allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into the country.

Highway Route to Southern Interior Reopens

A route to the southern interior of British Columbia is open for goods movement and people travelling for essential purposes only, using Highway 7 and Highway 3.

Essential purposes for travel are defined in the Travel Restrictions Order through the Emergency Program Act. Checkpoints will be in place and travel restrictions will be enforced. This progress will enable the movement of goods and supplies from the Lower Mainland to get to the rest of BC and other provinces.

Drivers should expect sections of single-lane alternating traffic on Highway 7 and three sections of single-lane alternating traffic on Highway 3 east of Hope. Delays will be significant, given the amount of essential goods to be delivered and the many people eager to complete their trips home.

Province Prioritizes Fuel for Essential Vehicles, Introduces Travel Restrictions | BC Gov News

Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. has issued two new orders using the extraordinary powers of the Emergency Program Act. The first includes measures to restrict non-essential travel to and from impacted areas, including:

• Highway 99: from the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet. Only passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles up to 14,500 kilograms will be permitted.

• Highway 3: from the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3.

• Highway 7: from the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 9 in Agassiz to the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 1 in Hope.

This order will be in effect starting today as these highways start to reopen. It applies to non-essential travel along specific sections of highways between the Lower Mainland and Interior of British Columbia. There are circumstances where travel is essential and permitted, specifically for the movement of any goods that are necessary for the health, safety and well-being of British Columbians. As the backlog of essential traffic clears, restrictions on essential travel can be eased.

These measures are enacted under the provincial state of emergency, using the extraordinary powers of the Emergency Program Act. The act allows the minister to implement all procedures the minister considers necessary to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency, including controlling or prohibiting travel to or from any area of British Columbia.

Province Prioritizes Fuel

The second order will ensure fuel remains available for essential vehicles in affected areas of the province.

To help keep people safe and re-establish the movement of critical goods and services following severe flooding and landslides, the Province is taking temporary measures to ensure fuel (gas and diesel) is prioritized for essential vehicles, while keeping it available to British Columbians.

Under this order, essential vehicles will have unrestricted access to fuel as required, using predominately commercial trucking gas stations . A full list of these essential vehicles is available in the backgrounder.

Non-essential vehicles, including the general public, will still have access to fuel available through retail gas stations. People will be limited to 30 litres per trip to the gas station. 

The Province will be working with gas retailers and distributors to implement this order to make sure people are not exceeding their allotted limit per trip. As part of this order, gas retailers will be required to ensure remaining gasoline reserves last until the end of the month. Anyone who is abusive, threatening or belligerent to gas station workers can be subject to a fine under the order.

This order, effective immediately, until December 1st, applies to all fuel suppliers in the Lower Mainland-to-Hope region, the Sea-to-Sky region, Sunshine Coast, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.

Routes for Travellers to Return Home Due to Emergency Response

By Road

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit DriveBC.ca.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed that travellers who must transit through the United States to get to their residence in Canada are exempt from the COVID-19 pre-arrival test (S1.T2.I20), the test in Canada (S2.T2.I14), and quarantine requirements (S2.T1.I14).

Pre-existing exemptions within the Orders in Council (OIC) can be applied to travellers in this situation who must enter Canada through the United States to return to their habitual place of residence in Canada due to geographical constraints.

By Air

The Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and other airports are working with its airline partners to add more capacity between Vancouver and Kelowna in an effort to get B.C. residents home safely.

Air Canada has added more seats to/from Kelowna (YLW) for Nov. 17/18/19 & Kamloops (YKA) for Nov. 17 to respond to highway closures and to move emergency medical supplies and passengers. This new capacity is available through AirCanada.com.

Affordable flights between Abbotsford and Kelowna will fly 6 days a week beginning Tuesday, November 23rd for only $79.00-$99.00. To book a flight visit FlySwoop.com.

Kelowna Yacht Club's Energy Conservation Campaign

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Energy Campaign Details

TOTA’s Energy Analyst recently worked with Biosphere Committed Company, Kelowna Yacht Club in partnership with BC Hydro and FortisBC, in creating an energy conservation campaign to encourage their staff to reduce consumption through simple and effective actions. From September 16th to October 7th, energy conservation posters were placed around different areas of the Yacht Club and encouraged staff to use provided checklists to complete energy conservation tasks such as:

• Turning off the lights when not required

• Utilizing daylight whenever and wherever possible instead of turning on lights inside the building

• Closing the windows when the heating or air conditioning system is running

• Running the dishwashers only on full loads and turning off the internal tank heaters in the dishwashers overnight

Brenda Cortes, Kelowna Yacht Club’s Environmental Manager, helped coordinate all of the campaign activities with their staff members. In recognition of three staff members that actively participated in the energy conservation campaign local gift cards were awarded to Brenda Cortes, Emily Wallich, and Mario Arango.

“Running this campaign brought great participation even though there were actions we already did, it brought conscious awareness back among our staff about energy usage and generated a healthy conversation.”

- Brenda Cortes

Emily Wallich, Watersports & Education Administrator

Brenda Cortes, Environmental Manager

Mario Arango, Front of House Manager

To learn more or receive advice on what sustainable practices you can implement at your place of employment or at home contact TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment team at biosphere@totabc.com.

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BCEDA Resources for Flood Impacted Individuals & Businesses - Google Docs

The BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA), has made a resource guide available on Google Docs, which contains information for individuals and businesses that have been impacted by the flooding in BC.

This guide contains information on travel, weather, pets & livestock, community information and ESS locations, sandbag locations, Red Cross, health, disaster financial assistance, Employment Insurance and much more.

IF you have a resource that you think should be added you can email info@bceda.ca

Local Economic Recovery & Restart Toolkit

The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is pleased to announce the launch of their newest manual as part of the Economic Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Program. The Local Economic Recovery and Restart Toolkit provides a collection of resources developed to assist local councils, organizations and individuals involved in community economic recovery following an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and floods.

As noticed during COVID-19, disasters can fundamentally change the social and economic makeup of impacted communities. The better a community can recognize these impacts, the better they are positioned to take actions that will spur a more rapid economic recovery. This manual is designed to help local and indigenous governments be better prepared for when the next disaster strikes and help complement current efforts to overcome the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Topics Include:

• Local Economic Recovery Committees

• Managing Economic Recovery Centres

• Economic Recovery Action Plans

• Economic Recovery Communication

• Mental Health

Templates Include:

• Local Economic Recovery Committee - First Meeting Agenda

• Economic Recovery Manager - Duties and Responsibilities

• Media Release - Opening of an Economic Recovery Centre

• Economic Recovery Centre Intake Form

• Economic Recovery Centre Daily Briefing

• Economic Recovery Communication Strategy

Go Electric BC - CleanBC

Through the CleanBC plan, the Province is making clean transportation more affordable and accessible for British Columbians.

Not using gasoline means lower costs, which is good for families and businesses. Electric vehicle owners save big on fuel costs – about $1,800 every year for the average B.C. driver.

A provincial rebate of up to $3,000 is available to help with the up-front cost of an electric vehicle, which can be combined with other federal rebates for as much as $8,000 in savings. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, so they typically require less maintenance. That means saving time and money on regular vehicle upkeep and maintenance.

Electric vehicle drivers in B.C. can get a sticker that allows them to use our HOV lanes, even if there’s only one person in the car.

Apply for an HOV lane/electric vehicle permit and decal.

Making sure more of the vehicles we use are powered by clean B.C. electricity and hydrogen is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce carbon pollution. Ninety eight percent of the power BC Hydro generates comes from clean, renewable resources.

With an ever-growing network of charging stations, it’s easier than ever to charge an electric vehicle, whether your trip takes you around the corner or across the province. Rebates are available to help people with the costs of adding charging infrastructure in their homes and workplaces.

Learn more about charging station rebates

Range varies by vehicle, but most new electric vehicles have a range over 350 km. It’s also worth considering that most people live less than 25 km from work, so most modern EVs can meet the average commuter’s needs by plugging in just once or twice a week.

Sponsorship Program Helps Build New Home for Caetani Artwork

After opening to the public with a successful season of sold-out tours, the Caetani Centre is launching its latest campaign — to build a new home for Sveva Caetani’s heralded Recapitulation series. Individuals or groups can now sponsor an original painting from Caetani’s Recapitulation Series, featuring over 50 unique large-scale watercolours. Funds raised will be used to build a larger facility to publicly display the entire series at the Caetani Centre in Vernon, BC.

The Recapitulation Series continues to gain both national and international attention. The series documents Caetani’s life story and outlook and was put under the care of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) in Edmonton in the 1980s when Caetani was still alive. The series remained at the AFA for more than 35 years and was exhibited intermittently during this time.

The sponsorship program’s aim is to raise $65,000+ for seed money to attain matching capital grants for the gallery expansion. The sponsorship package includes a five-year patronage, tax receipt, and formal recognition via a permanent plaque on the gallery building, acknowledgement on artwork label, on the Caetani website and through social media channels.

The Caetani Centre is continuing its guided and self-guided tours now through December. For more information on the sponsorship program, tours, and to view the works, visit www.caetani.org or call the Caetani office for a personal viewing at 250-275-1525.

BC Destination Marketing Organization Association AGM

The BC Destination Marketing Organization Association has announced that their Annual General Meeting will take place Virtually (via Zoom) on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 11:00AM - 12:00PM

The meeting is called for the purposes:

• To receive the financial statements of the Association for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2020

• To approve the minutes of the September 29th, 2020 Annual General Meeting

• To elect up to seven (7) Directors

The BCDMOA Nominating Committee has put forth the following slate of Directors for the 2022-2023 term.

• Dustin Bodnaryk, Tourism Dawson Creek

• Allison Colthorp, Tourism Chilliwack

• Monica Dickinson, Tourism Kamloops

• Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler

• Craig Nichols, Tourism Abbotsford

• Chris Peters, Tourism Burnaby

• Denise Stys-Norman, Tourism Ucluelet

The following Directors are mid-way through their term and will continue on the Board for the 2022-2023 term.

• Gladys Atrill, Tourism Smithers

• Blain Sepos, Parksville, Qualicum Beach Tourism

• Nancy Small, Tourism Richmond

In accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the BC Destination Marketing Organization Association, additional nominations are now also open.

Nominations may be made by the Voting Members, provided that such nominations are in writing, each is signed by the Designated Representatives of two (2) Voting Members in good standing and are delivered or sent by registered mail, electronic mail or facsimile to the Secretary/Treasurer at the address of the Association together with the written consent(s) of the nominee(s) not later than the fifteenth (15) day prior to the AGM.

As per the bylaws, all nominations for Director positions, must be received on or before November 29th, 2021. Please contact the Association’s Secretariat, Deborah Kulchiski for a copy of the Nomination Form.