Following a disaster, the provincial government may declare the event eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). For more information, see Events Eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance.
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Dr. Anna Spenceley is a leading authority in sustainable and responsible tourism. Dr. Spencely has compiled a list of international resources to help sustainability-focused tourism companies overcome the impact of COVID-19.
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Destination BC has resources to help your business become accessible and inclusive for all employees and travellers.
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Provincial enforcement officers have been given the ability to issue $2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events.
They can also issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not following the direction of police or enforcement staff at events or who refuse to comply with requests to follow PHO orders or safe operating procedures, or respond with abusive behaviour.
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TOTA has compiled accessibility recommendations for tourism businesses to offer experiences, products, and services for all.
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Organizations can apply for the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to receive funding for projects that make Canadian communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with accessibility requirements. Application assistance is available.
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Employers who need to extend workers' temporary layoffs beyond the end of August are reminded to apply for a variance using the Employment Standards Branch’s new online application by August 25. Employers can avoid permanent layoffs and severance payments for eligible employees while the economy restarts by applying for a temporary layoff extension beyond 24 weeks.
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TOTA has signed a formal agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna and Thoughtfull Workplace Wellness Strategies, which includes:
Personal wellbeing resources & services are available free of charge.
CMHA will deliver programming through an ongoing webinar series.
Participants of the Tourism Resiliency Program can access workplace psychological health and safety training and advising at a subsidized rate.
TOTA is collaborating with Okanagan College to offer one-on-one training and mentoring sessions to tourism industry businesses with a focus on managing COVID-19 related challenges.
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Beginning on August 1, 2020, a new needs-based B.C. Access Grant will remove barriers to post-secondary education and training by providing financial support for students at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.
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Transition from CERB to Simplified EI Program
The Government of Canada announced a transition from Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to a simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program.
Canadian employers who have seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of employee wages. This subsidy will enable businesses to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.
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To help improve spaces for artists and cultural activities, organizations can get support through the new $2-million Arts Infrastructure Program. Arts and cultural organizations, including Indigenous groups, will be eligible for up to $75,000 to improve arts and culture spaces or $40,000 to buy special equipment to support art programming.
Applications are open until October 19, 2020.
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B.C.has taken steps to protect people from legal proceedings for civil damages that result from transmission or exposure to COVID-19. This coverage can give comfort to people that they have protection from civil proceedings as B.C. The protection only exists if the person has followed all emergency and public health guidance, or reasonably believes that they have done so.
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Canada and the United States agreed to extend the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border until further notice.
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