Dear Hotel Community,
We are delighted to share with you that, after aggressively pressuring the provincial government to extend the temporary layoff provision, it was announced earlier this afternoon that it will be extended until Aug.30. This is a significant win for our industry and the province at large as the expiration of this provision would have been detrimental to employers and employees across British Columbia. With this extension, hoteliers can retain the staff they hope to eventually recall without having to pay large severance payouts at this time.
While we extend our thanks to the government for heeding our concerns, we recognize the further work that is needed to Section 72 of the BC Employment Standards Act, which allows employers and workers to extend temporary layoffs by making a joint application to the Employment Standards Branch. Though this solution would work during typical circumstances, we are currently facing a global pandemic that has caused the worst economic downturn in 100 years. As such, we anticipate an immense backlog of applications with no guarantees around processing times, no assurance of outcome and additional paperwork for already struggling businesses.
Although we our grateful for the extension, we also recognize that our sector is not expected to fully recover for many months and that a further extension of the temporary layoff provision will likely be needed. The BC Hotel Association will continue to call upon the government, advocating for this along with revisions to Section 72, making it more workable for businesses across the province.
Finally, today we received important news surrounding the BCHA Hospitality Beverage Program.
This does not affect the Commercial Insurance or Employee Benefits Insurance program, but may affect those members who have a beverage component to their insurance policy. If you are a member of the BCHA HIP, please read the entire letter by
clicking here
.
Stay safe,
Ingrid Jarrett
President & CEO
BC Hotel Associatio
n
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Temporary Layoff Provisions for
Workers, Employers Extended
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Following conversations with business and worker representatives, the Province of British Columbia has extended the temporary layoffs provisions to a maximum of 24 weeks expiring on Aug. 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extension will give employers and workers additional flexibility to support economic recovery in the province with the expectation that businesses honour their obligations to workers and reach agreement with their employees in the event a further extension is required.
As the hotel sector does not anticipate a full recovery for many months, the BC Hotel Association will continue advocating for further provisions along with amendments to Section 72 of the BC Employment Standards Act. Read more about this announcement below.
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Premier Horgan Announces BC Entering Phase 3
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B.C. moves to Phase 3 of restart plan, allowing for more openings and travel
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Premier John Horgan has announced the province is moving to Phase 3 of its
restart plan,
which allows for more travel in the province. The phase, which is the third of four phases, also allows hotels, motels, spas, resorts, hostels and RV parks to resume operating.
British Columbians who wish to travel within B.C. this summer are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns.
Premier John Horgan says the province been successful at flattening the curve on COVID-19, which means the province can ease more health restrictions and gradually move into the third phase of its reopening plan.
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On June 19, the Provincial Health Officer released an
updated public order
for liquor and food primaries. This order repeals and replaces the previous order made on June 10, 2020.
We recommend reviewing the
updated public order
to ensure your establishment is in compliance with all guidelines.
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HAC: CEWS to Remain at 30% for June
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Launch of Expanded CEBA Criteria Postponed
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The recent federal government announcement stated they would be expanding eligibility criteria for the
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
to now include hoteliers that are sole operators, hotels that rely on contractors, and family-owned businesses that pay employees through dividends. Originally, the launch date for these changes wasr June 19. The government has now postponed that date, as they are still working on launching the expanded criteria across 230 financial institutions. We will continue to update as new information becomes available.
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Member Profile: The Heriot Bay Inn
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Celebrating the splendor of Quadra Island,
The Heriot Bay Inn & Resort
is a cozy home-away-from-home, offering picturesque views, warm island hospitality and a number of comfortable amenities curated for an unforgettable stay.
A full service adventure resort and boasting an idyllic marina, The Heriot Bay Inn is located on the Northern Golf Islands, a mere 10 minute ferry ride from Campbell River, off the central east coast of Vancouver Island. Known for its surrounding nature, the Inn & Resort acts as the perfect home base for island adventures of all varieties.
In addition to its cosy accommodations, beautiful natural surroundings, and gift shop, the Inn is also home to casual seaside eatery
Herons
(open seven days a week beginning June 24), along with the lively
HBI Pub
(open Fridays and Saturdays, beginning June 26). Visitors are encouraged to enjoy gorgeous ocean views from the waterfront deck at Herons and adjourn to the HBI Pub for live music each weekend.
For more information on Heriot Bay Inn and Resort call
250.285.3322
or email
info@heriotbayinn.com
. For live updates on the resort's reopening visit their
Facebook
page.
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BCHF Fundraiser: Reconnect 2020
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B
C Event Management has partnered with the Harbour Convention Centre to host
“Reconnect 2020”
.
The goal of Reconnect 2020
is to showcase a new way to connect. F
rom meetings to events to tourism, we all need to connect.
Proceeds from the Reconnect 2020
hybrid event will go to the BC Hospitality Foundation to support our hospitality family. Thanks to our sponsors no management/admin fees, venue rentals costs or AV rental costs will be incurred. The fundraiser will be a model for safe and healthy events for the hospitality, tourism, meeting and event industry.
Read more about Reconnect 2020.
BCHF is
requesting any prizes or donation
s
from anyone who is able to provide at this time. If you can donate auction items or make a cash donation, please register your donation
here
.
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As part of our education pillar, BCHA continues to offer new courses and webinars from our education partners. Through our education series, BCHA members and hospitality professionals may access tools for continued growth within the hospitality industry at a significantly reduced price. We encourage you to take this time to explore the courses below:
Okanagan College
Kennedy Training Network
C
lick here
to sign up for any of the upcoming courses or webinars or
learn more
about all the education BCHA has to offer.
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