Blog

I want to take this opportunity as another busy week begins to thank all of you who are continuing to engage with us. It is vital that we hear from you to know what challenges you are facing and to talk about how we can work through them together.

We are also working diligently to ensure that our Government continues to hear your messages seeking support and clarity. The need for clarity in regulations surrounding the Emergency Orders has become a very hot topic. Over the last two weeks, we have heard of more and more tourism businesses opening their cottages to the public. I know that folks are looking to see where they fit in the regulations and there is pressure from Ontarians looking for places to get away and enjoy the new summer weather. I know that an opportunity to bring in revenue is hard to turn down.

On Friday, Premier Ford during his press conference was asked when we might see cottage rental vacations open up and he said that we likely won’t see these businesses open until Phase 2 or 3. He made it very clear that our sector is not to open yet. The regulations state that cottages can only be open to accommodate essential workers who need a place to self-isolate. It is important that we abide by these laws.

I am profoundly aware that this continues to be a heartbreaking message and as every week passes opportunities for our tourism operators to salvage revenue from the season becomes smaller but please know NOTO along with other advocacy organizations are fighting for you.

My biggest fear is that we open before we can put the necessary protocols in place to protect our staff and guests. We also have to consider the mindset of the people who are willing to travel from other parts of the province right now. Have they been self-isolating? Will they abide by new rules at your facilities regarding social distancing, cleanliness? What risks are you opening up your business to if you open when the law says you cannot? What if someone gets sick? We could end up in the same situation as cruise lines. We do not need further negative long-term impacts on our sector. The possibility is real.

NOTO is finalizing the protocols for this sector and once we have them vetted by the WSPS, we will share them with all of you as well as the Premier and his Cabinet Ministers so they can be confident we will be ready to open safely. In the meantime, you can find resources on cleaning protocols set out by public health on our COVID-19 page.

We will continue to press Government for better financial support measures and educate the Government on the importance of our sector to the Northern Ontario economy.

Be safe,
Laurie