Restaurants Canada Positive & Inclusive Workplace Guide

If you are in the foodservice industry and looking to foster a healthy workplace environment for your employees, download this in-depth guide from Restaurants Canada.

This guide provides information on:

• Building a Culture of Inclusion

• Hiring Practices to Build a Vibrant Labour Force

• Racial, Cultural and Gender Diversity

• Mental Health

• Sexual Harassment

• Sick Leave/Parental Leave

Download Guide →

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Join a New Working Group to Help Rebuild the Tourism Workforce | Apply by Feb 18, 2022

Tourism HR Canada's new Workforce Recovery Project aims to restart tourism by securing a skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce.

As a part of this project, Tourism HR Canada is calling on tourism industry leaders, business owners, workers, educators, and students to join working groups.

The goal of the working groups is to gather recommendations to align the project with the realities experienced by the sector and by sharing a wide range of ideas to ensure the representation of diverse tourism stakeholders from across Canada.

Apply by February 18, 2022

Learn More & Apply →

Free Resources for Sexual Harassment Advice, Response, and Prevention for Workplaces (SHARP Workplaces)

The Sexual Harassment Advice, Response, and Prevention for Workplaces (SHARP Workplaces) project aims to increase public knowledge, skills, confidence, and competence in managing complex issues related to workplace sexual harassment, and to improve access to legal supports and resources for people who experience workplace sexual harassment.

SHARP is offering FREE online SHARP Workplaces’ training sessions designed for small businesses and non-profits across B.C.

1. Foundational Course (for employers and workers)

2. Rights and Responsibilities (for employers and workers)

3. Workplace Investigations (employers only)

4. Best Practices for Developing a Workplace Sexual Harassment Policy (employers only)

5. Legal Options and Remedies (for employers and workers)

They also offer free legal advice.

View Resources →

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Kal Grad 2022 Globox™ Fundraiser | Raffle Ends March 15, 2022

Building on the successful Globox™ fundraiser of 2021, the 2022 graduating class of Kalamalka Secondary School in Vernon are again working with Glohaven Community Hub to support their fundraising efforts.

KSS usually raises 10K-12K through their annual Apple Pie Fundraiser, however the event was unable to proceed in 2021 due to COVID. Instead, the Kal Grad Globox™ Raffle 2021 raised over $14,000 - making it the single most successful fundraiser in the history of Kal High School.

The 2022 online raffle ticket campaign has launched with nearly $12,000 worth of amazing prizes from an incredible 45 local Okanagan businesses, including Indigenous businesses and Biosphere Committed Companies.

Prizes include:

• 2 Indigenous Globoxes™ (featured experiences: a getaway to Spirit Ridge Resort and a Moccasin Trails excursion)

• 1 Remarkably Loved Globox™ (featured experience: a getaway to Sparkling Hill Resort).

• 1 Family Fun Globox™ (featured experience: Sicamous Houseboats Vacation package)

• 1 Eldorado Resort VIP Globox™ (featuring a getaway to the Eldorado Resort in Kelowna)

View Prizes & Buy Tickets →

1 for $20, 3 for $50, OR 7 for $100!

Raffle Ends: March 15th at 11:59 pm

About

This type of fundraising campaign is one of the ways Glohaven is supporting communities, partners, and the creators of local products and experiences (Glohaven offers to purchase their products / experiences).

They call this a TRIPLE WIN; the 2022 Kalamalka High School Grads WIN with their graduation expenses being covered, the local businesses involved WIN with fabulous exposure, and the recipients of the 5 fabulous Globox™ prizes WIN! Anything that is raised in surplus, will be left as a legacy gift for the school and put towards an outdoor learning structure.

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If you have products or experiences that you would like to participate in these fundraising opportunities to spread the word about your business, contact: angela@glohaven.com.

Reminder: Employer Reimbursement Program for Paid Sick Leave

This is a reminder of the extended submission window for employers seeking reimbursement for employee claims for COVID-19 related sick leave taken between May 20th and December 31st, 2021.

The reimbursement program intake is open and will close on February 11th at 4:00 pm PST.

Please submit all eligible claims for reimbursement for employee COVID-19 related sick leave taken up to and including December 31st in order to access the reimbursement program.

Employers that already have a sick pay benefit program for their employees are not eligible to receive reimbursement.

For an employer to apply for reimbursement, they must do so through their Online WorkSafeBC account profile. If the employer is not already registered with WorkSafeBC and does not have an online account with WorkSafeBC, they can visit WorkSafeBC.

Learn More →

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Vote for Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Station Network by February 8, 2022

“Charging Ahead”, the Peaks to Prairies Electric Vehicle Charging Station Network is eligible for the Green Destinations Peoples’ Choice Award.

Please take a moment to VOTE and highlight awareness of Canada as a destination!

Deadline: before midnight (MST) February 8, 2022

About

The Peaks To Prairies EV Charging Network facilitates travel to and within the beautiful region of Southern Alberta with fast charging and Level 2 stations from Canmore to Medicine Hat, south to Waterton and to the Crowsnest Pass... with many stops along the way!

This project builds upon the success of Accelerate Kootenays in southeast British Columbia and in future will connect with an EV initiative in Montana and is the only nominee from Canada, and the only one from North America in this category.

Awards will be presented at the ITB Berlin International Tourism Conference on March 8-10, 2022.

How to Vote

1. Read the Green Destinations Story →

2. Go to the Green Destinations Story Award voting page →

3. Click on VOTE HERE to open the survey.

4. Enter your name and e-mail. (This ensures only one vote per person.)

5. Choose “Americas” as a category.

6. Choose **“Alberta SouthWest Crown of the Continent”

7. … and submit!

Skift Megatrends 2022 Report

Skift has published a forecast of the top trends that will define the travel industry in 2022. It provides an optimistic outlook for recovery of international travel by 2024. Other key trends revolve around community, ruralization, mobility and climate.

View Report →

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Wines of BC Explore App Awarded GOLD in Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards

The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards announced a GOLD medal for the Wines of BC Explorer App, marking the first ever win for a wine tourism app, and only the second ever for a Canadian based App in the category.

The Magellan Awards is the premier award for the global travel industry, honouring outstanding levels of design, marketing, and services – the Wines of BC Explorer App received the award in the Online Travel Services category.

The App is an essential tool for anyone looking to explore and enjoy BC wine. From plan-your-trip assistance to wine-education content and a personal taste test, the App is the best way to discover BC wine country, and in turn acts as a perfect conduit for BC wineries to connect with potential guests.

With all 300+ BC wineries listed on the App regularly updating new wine releases and tasting experiences, the increasing number of users can always find what they are looking for, and even uncover something they did not know they would love.

Features include:

1. Curated lists of wines and wineries

2. An interactive taste test with resulting wine suggestions

3. Shopping for wine and wine experiences

4. Helpful filters to enable discovery, search by ‘organic wines’ or ‘dog friendly wineries’ and more!

The Wine Growers of BC team is always looking to improve and launch exciting new features. The most recent feature is a geo-location tool designed to assist users in finding wineries and wine shops closest to their location and preferences.

Download App →

Learn More →

The Value of Tourism Video Series by TIABC, BCRTS & Destination BC

The Value of Tourism is a series of short videos capturing the essence of the tourism industry’s contribution to British Columbia from the lens of the people who work in the various sectors and regions that make up our province’s visitor economy.

The videos tell stories using concrete examples from both a personal perspective, in addition to how their business, community, region, or sector has made a difference. The interviewees bring the viewer along and paint a compelling yet personable picture. 

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) partnered with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS), Destination British Columbia, and PacifiCan to produce the videos.

About the Value of Tourism

Tourism contributes to the high quality of life in British Columbia by supporting arts, sports, Indigenous culture, historical assets, festivals and events, restaurants and pubs, parks and recreation, outdoor adventure, among other sectors and activities. Tourism brings significant international benefits through trade and investment, education, infrastructure development, and immigration.

The tourism industry is comprised of thousands of mostly small businesses, whose voices are often unheard. TIABC and its industry partners in British Columbia must come together to strengthen our collective voice to fully capture the opportunity ahead and overcome the obstacles.

The Value of Tourism (VoT) initiative has been designed to increase the understanding of tourism as a powerful engine for economic, cultural, and social well-being, and to secure cross-government support for tourism investments by describing how tourism benefits every community and region in British Columbia.

This project is also designed to increase interest in tourism as a career choice, as well as provide insight into how tourism can be a catalyst for addressing major issues and opportunities such as climate change, sustainability, reconciliation, workforce, among other priorities. 

Share the Value of Tourism

The vignettes and videos are available for use by destination marketing organizations, sector associations, individual operators, and other tourism stakeholders to use in communicating with all levels of government, residents, community and business leaders, organizations, schools and universities, and others to share the Value of Tourism through social media channels, websites, presentations and advocacy initiatives, etc. to help rebuild the reputation and understanding of the importance of the tourism industry post-COVID-19.

Share Videos →

Global Survey on Perspectives of Service Delivery & Traveller Priorities Report | Tourism HR Canada

Tourism HR Canada released a report that provides insight to the current perspectives of the service delivery in Canada and how the travel and tourism industry should prepare itself for the future.

The report concluded that, as the visitor economy gradually recovers from the COVID crisis, addressing service disruptions will need to be balanced against safety and price sensitivity.

The following is a summary of the findings:

1. While many developed destinations consider themselves to be at the tail end of the COVID 19 pandemic, with vaccine rollouts now well underway, the disruption to the value chain as a whole is far from over.

2. According to current projections, the tourism industry in Canada is not expected to recover to 2019 levels until 2025.

3. With this challenge in mind, tourism businesses will need to prioritize and allocate their resources effectively to ensure they are able to develop their products and services to adapt to the new normal while still delivering quality in line with what travellers value.

4. Broadly speaking, the overall visitor experience remains the most important concern for international travellers in selecting a destination to travel to (unsurprisingly as this encompasses a range of factors).

5. Quality service is second only to the overall visitor experience in this regard and thus will be of paramount importance in destination recovery efforts.

6. Quality of service is particularly valuable to the lucrative Chinese market to which international destinations will have to appeal to thrive in the new global travel market in the years to come.

7. However, health and safety concerns (particularly in Britain and Australia) and price and affordability are also major concerns. Price and affordability is somewhat prioritized across destinations and this is likely driven by post COVID price sensitivity among travellers.

8. In terms of the impact of service disruption on destination selection, Canada performs well relative to other destinations, with travellers reporting relatively low impact particularly in the USA, South Korea, France and Germany.

9. China, however, is an exception to this, placing Canada as being most impacted by potential service disruption in terms of destination selection. China is also one of the few countries to consider service disruption in Canada more serious than at home.

View Full Report →

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Improvements Coming to BC Parks Digital Services | Share Your Feedback

BC Parks is inviting British Columbians to participate in the redesign of its digital services since the journey for many people seeking outdoor experiences begins online. Feedback can be shared through the new test site at Beta.BCParks.ca.

People can participate in the redesign to create a more user-friendly and inclusive online experience through BCParks.ca.

The new BC Parks test site is live and provides a glimpse into the design work and improvements being made. New content and features will be added to the site during the coming months. People can also sign up to join future focus groups to help inform the future of all BC Parks digital products and services.

A key feature of the redesign is to improve the online reservation system with expanded features. Opening March 21, 2022, the new reservation service will be available through the BC Parks website and will include key features such as:

• more flexible search options to find and book a campsite;

• maps, calendars and lists of available sites for quicker navigation;

• saved booking preferences and locations within customer accounts; and

• as many as five large photos per campsite.

Share your thoughts on the new website design →

Coalition of Businesses & Sector Associations Express Concern With Province's Sick Pay Program

Originally published by TIABC on January 28, 2022.

In a letter to Labour Minister Harry Bains, the coalition noted that the sick pay program comes at a difficult time for businesses during the height of the new Omicron wave. It's particularly challenging for businesses such as pubs and restaurants which were not closed (and thus many were ineligible for government assistance) and whose business dropped precipitously.

There are many examples of businesses experiencing functional closures and seeing a significant portion of their employees at home sick. Consequently, operationally and administratively it has been a very challenging start to the year.

One of the group's primary concerns relates to the fact that businesses and employees rely on payroll and human resources information systems to track, store and provide accurate information on use of paid sick days and payment for those days. Nearly all of these systems are based on a workplace having a common ‘employment year’ which is most often the calendar year or a business’s fiscal year.

The current wording of the ‘employment year’ definition on the Employment Standards website from the policy interpretation of Illness or Injury Leave - Act Part 6, Section 49.1 is causing confusion for employers and workers alike: “Employment year” refers to the specific employee’s employment year, based on their start date.

Most businesses remain unaware of this interpretation of the policy. In addition, there are problems faced by businesses struggling to understand how to implement paid sick leave for part-time and short-term employees.

In its letter, the coalition offered a number of recommendations for the province to consider including amending the definition of 'employment year', as well as reimbursing businesses for the additional sick days paid over the annual intended five days paid sick leave businesses understood they were required to pay.

Organizations that signed a letter include TIABC, BC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Vancouver BC Restaurant & Food Services Association, Restaurants Canada, go2HR, ABLE BC, BCHA and others.

Buy a BC Parks Licence Plate to Support Park Services

The BC Parks Licence Plate Program is a partnership between the Province and ICBC whereby motorists in British Columbia can choose one of three specialty plate designs depicting scenes from B.C.’s parks and protected areas.

The designs include the Kermode bear, an elusive white version of black bear found on B.C.’s coast, the snow-capped Purcell Mountains symbolizing the province’s interior region, and Porteau Cove overlooking Howe Sound.

Available at Autoplan broker offices throughout B.C., a BC Parks plate costs $50 for the initial purchase, and $40 to renew each year.

All net proceeds from the sale and ongoing renewals of the licence plates are re-invested back into provincial parks through the Park Enhancement Fund (PEF), a special account separate from the B.C. government's annual budget to BC Parks.

The BC Parks Licence Plate Program is marking its five-year anniversary, and more than 300 diverse projects and programs have been supported to further protect and enhance B.C.’s world-renowned parks system. In March 2021, the BC Parks Licence Plate Program reached a milestone with the sale of 250,000 specialty plates.

Through partnerships with Indigenous partners and community groups across the province, projects related to conservation, Indigenous reconciliation, fire-based ecosystem and land management, engagement, education and inclusion were completed over the last five years, as well along with support for the Student Ranger Program which started in 2018.

Buy a BC Parks License Plate →

Learn More →

Service Provider: Everything Podcasts

Everything Podcasts, part of Pattison Media, is a full-service podcast production company. They help brands evolve and expand their media strategy into the audio space with a custom podcast series.

Everything Podcasts works with brands, organizations, and companies to create powerful content creative, promotional support, production services, marketing, sales representation, research, and access to the fastest-growing media platform in the world, podcasting.

The most fundamental challenge brands face in the “attention economy” is: how do you capture people’s attention? By telling stories. 93% of Podcast listeners listen to all or most of each episode!

Learn more →

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B.C. Vaccine Card Extended, Youth Tournaments to Resume

In a press conference January 25, 2022, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) announced that proof of full vaccination will continue to be required to access some events, services, and businesses in B.C. The requirement is in place until June 30, 2022. It applies to all people born in 2010 or earlier (12+).

The vaccine card will be reviewed regularly and stopped sooner if the situation changes.

Sport tournaments for children and youth will resume effective Feb. 1, 2022. The prohibition on adult tournaments will continue to be in effect.

Both amendments will be reflected in the Public Health Order covering Gatherings and Events.

Learn More →

View Proof of Vaccination Requirements →

World Travel Awards™ Call for Travel Excellence

World Travel Awards is pleased to announce its annual "call for entries" for inclusion in the most prestigious awards and recognition initiative in travel and tourism.

In the quest to identify and reward excellence, World Travel Awards invites brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence to participate in the annual programme.

Each country's very best brands and products are invited to submit their applications to participate and stand a chance to win the ultimate industry accolade. Awards will be given to nominees by country, continent, and, finally, world best.

The deadline to apply is March 27, 2022. Voting opens on 4th April, 2022 when all of the short-listed nominees for Canada 2022 will be announced.

Learn More & Register →

Award Categories

• Leading Airline

• Leading Airline Brand

• Leading Airline Lounge

• Leading Airport

• Leading Airport Hotel

• Leading Airport Lounge

• Leading Beach Destination

• Leading Beach Hotel

• Leading Beach Resort

• Leading Boutique Hotel

• Leading Business Hotel

• Leading Business Travel Destination

• Leading Car Rental Company

• Leading Casino Resort

• Leading Chauffeur Company

• Leading City Break Destination

• Leading City Destination

• Leading Conference Hotel

• Leading Cruise Line

• Leading Cruise Port

• Leading Destination

• Leading Exclusive Retreat

• Leading Family Resort

• Leading Honeymoon Destination

• Leading Hotel

• Leading Hotel Brand

• Leading Hotel Residences

• Leading Hotel Suite

• Leading Inflight Magazine

• Leading Lifestyle Hotel

• Leading Low-Cost Airline

• Leading Luxury Car Rental Company

• Leading Luxury Hotel

• Leading Luxury Train

• Leading Meetings & Conference Centre

• Leading Meetings & Conference Destination

• Leading New Hotel

• Leading New Resort

• Leading Private Jet Charter

• Leading Resort

• Leading River Cruise Company

• Leading Serviced Apartments

• Leading Sports Tourism Destination

• Leading Theme Park Resort

• Leading Tour Operator

• Leading Tourist Attraction

• Leading Tourist Board

• Leading Travel Agency

• Leading Travel Management Company

• Leading Wedding Hotel

• Most Romantic Resort

• Responsible Tourism

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YLW Receives Millions in Federal Funding for Infrastructure Projects & Operations

Kelowna International Airport is receiving over $18 million in funding for key infrastructure projects and operational support from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, including:

• Combined Operations Building

• Airport Terminal Building Roof Replacement

• Airport Biosecurity Infrastructure

• Runway End Safety Area

• Airfield Lighting and Support Infrastructure

Along with the announcement for the critical infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada is also providing more than $3 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund. This will provide funding to maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in Kelowna and surrounding communities.

Learn More →

Welcome to Klippers Organic Acres New Biosphere Committed Company

Klippers Organics Acres

At Klippers Organics Acres, they believe that sustainable, healthy, and delicious food is essential. They are a Certified Organic farm located in the heart of the Okanagan in the beautiful Similkameen Valley.

They joined the Biosphere Commitment Program because Klippers Organics Acres aligns with what the program is all about. They have been working on similar projects since their start of farming over 30 years ago.

Sustainability means to Klippers Organics Acres that they leave the land better than how they found it. They look at their entire footprint of the farm, the guest suites, restaurant, cidery, and Café/Marketplace and work within all of these areas to be sustainable. Klippers Organics Acres uses the fruit and vegetables from the farm to supply the restaurant, cidery, and café. Using sustainable energy sources where applicable and any food waste that does come from the restaurant or café then goes back to the farm and is turned into compost.

Sustainability is everything for Klippers Organic Acres. First they are organic farmers and believe in leaving the soil better then how they found, building the organic matter up year after year. They were also one of the first to start harvesting the sun with a solar hot water system, then used geothermal energy for heating and cooling their house. They successfully put 80 solar panels on poles for energy consumption and they plan to continue to expand in that direction.

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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 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:

1. gyms, fitness and adult dance centres

2. bars, lounges and nightclubs

3. 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

Learn More & Apply →

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Community Outreach Incentive Program (COIP) Funding Helps Promote Electric Vehicle Uptake In B.C.

Community groups and local governments throughout the province can receive funding through the Community Outreach Incentive Program (COIP) to educate and encourage people to switch to electric vehicles (EVs).

The Province is providing $118,000 through COIP under a partnership with the Emotive outreach and awareness campaign to support B.C. communities, organizations and local governments delivering local and regional EV-awareness campaigns that include video production, EV events and demonstrations.

This year, COIP funding was also provided to the Clean Transportation Targets and Planning (CTTP) pilot that supports target setting, policy planning and implementation to encourage the transition to EVs as well as other forms of transportation, such as walking, cycling and public transit.

“More people than ever before are discovering the benefits of switching to electric vehicles in communities across the province,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “With CleanBC, our government is working hard to support people with affordable and clean transportation options that work for them.”

The COIP and CTTP pilot align with the goals and targets in the Province’s recently released CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which details a range of expanded actions to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future and achieve B.C.’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets. These actions include strengthening the Zero-Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Act to require 26% of light-duty vehicle sales to be ZEV by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, which is five years ahead of the original target.

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is leading the country in transitioning to EVs with more than 60,000 light-duty EVs on the road.

• British Columbia was the first place in the world to have a 100% zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) law and is leading North America in uptake rates of EVs at nearly 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2020.

• The Community Outreach Incentive Program is funded by the Province of B.C. and is administered by Plug In BC, a program of the Fraser Basin Council Society.

• Emotive is a B.C.-wide outreach and awareness campaign that encourages the accelerated adoption of EVs in B.C.

• The Roadmap to 2030 also includes a focus on efficiency-first transportation actions, including committing to increasing the share of trips made by walking, cycling and transit, including commuting for work and personal activities, to 30% by 2030, 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050, as well as a 25% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030 (from 2020 levels).