Message From BCHA Chair, Bryan Pilbeam |
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Good afternoon accommodation community,
Please join our entire BCHA team and Board of Directors in welcoming Samantha Hackett to the BC Hotel Association Board of Directors! Samantha will replace former board member, Stewart Instance, who in late 2021, resigned from his position to make room for new and diverse perspectives as part of the 50-30 challenge -- BCHA’s diversity and inclusion initiative, launched in 2020, to achieve diverse representation across our Board of Directors. For more information and a timeline on this initiative, please click here.
Samantha is the General Manager of Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino and oversees all business operations at the resort -- from food and beverage outlets, adventure services, and revenue management, to the overall well-being of the lodge and its employees. With a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, Samantha quickly rose to her current position, having started at the resort as a Front Desk Agent in 2008. She fosters a deep commitment to bettering the tourism and hospitality industry, fueled by her belief that collaboration is the foundation of our path forward, and has served on the Tourism Tofino Board since 2013 as a Director, Treasurer, Vice-Chair. Currently, she is the Chair.
An active community member and mother of two young girls, Samantha is involved in several initiatives to enhance life in her hometown of Tofino. In addition to her volunteer work with Tourism Tofino, she is also Chair of the West Coast Multiplex Society: a unique partnership between five first nation communities and three non-first nation communities, to build a recreation facility at the heart of eight growing communities.
We have had the opportunity to work directly with Samantha over recent years and have been inspired by her leadership, acute insight, and collaborative approach - we are thrilled that she has joined our Board of Directors and look forward to the exciting chapter ahead.
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We would also like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank former Board Director, Stewart Instance, for his tremendous service and contribution to the BCHA and our industry at large over many decades. Stewart has served on our board for several terms and has been a true industry pioneer and leader since joining the hotel sector in 1965. With a degree in hotel administration from Cornell University and subsequent advanced degrees in architecture and educational psychology, Stewart's obvious brilliance has been a tremendous resource to our association - we have always highly regarded his thoughtful and well-informed perspective.
Currently, Stewart is President of Ashler Hospitality Corp., a B.C.-based company he started in 1992 to provide management, accounting, asset management and advisory services for the hospitality industry. The company has operated strata, private and institutionally owned hotels throughout British Columbia, including the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort.
We are grateful to Stewart for his years of service, wisdom, and leadership. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Samantha to our board as we forge a positive path forward for our industry. We look forward to continuing to keep our members up to date on our board transformation. For more information, please click here and please join us in welcoming Samantha Hackett!
Best regards,
Bryan Pilbeam
Chair
British Columbia Hotel Association
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Today's update includes:
With the 2022 Federal Budget released earlier today, we have a number of important updates and statements leading today's newsletter. For questions please reach out to Kelsey@bcha.com.
- General Updates
- Budget 2022
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Analysis from HAC & What it Means for YOU
- Major Changes to Union Certification Announced by Government of BC
- Temporary Expanded Service Area Authorizations Extended Until Next Year
- Saskatchewan Announces $1M Investment to Promote Careers in Hospitality Sector
- Happy Global Meetings Industry Day!
- CDC Lowers Risk Level For Travel To Canada
- Beginning Tomorrow | Vaccine Cards & Safety Plans No Longer Required
- REMINDER | Government Announces Positive Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- CanExport SME Program is Now Accepting New Applications
- Reminder | Hiring with EDI in Mind | A Webinar & Resources
- Time to Play! Register for Highly Anticipated Okanagan Golf Tournament!
- News - See more below!
- Hot Off the Press
- BC | Canada News
- World News
- Industry Trends
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- Western Community College Launches Fraser Valley's FIRST EVER Bachelor of Hospitality Management
- Kootenay Rockies Region is Officially a Biosphere Certified Destination!
- Mark Your Calendars - see below!
- Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
- Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
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Budget 2022 | Hotel Association of Canada Analysis & What it Means for YOU |
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The 2022 Federal Budget, tabled today at 4pm, comes as Canada and the world are facing unprecedented and unpredictable circumstances.
TOPLINE HIGHLIGHTS
Here are the highlights for hotels:
- Strong signals point towards borders staying open in the future
- Significant investments to reduce the immigration processing backlog for temporary and longer-term workers
- A new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy
- Noteworthy investments into affordable housing, including rental and new homes
HAC ANALYSIS
The title for the Budget is “A Plan to Grow our Economy and Make Life More Affordable.” The government is placing its emphasis on policies that promote economic growth and affordability. While some new spending measures were announced, the government is committed to reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio, tamping down inflation, and implementing pro-growth policies in targeted sectors. Notably, tourism is acknowledged to be a key growth sector.
The government has removed all funding associated with border closures and quarantine program spending, which is a strong signal that they intend to keep the border open. There was also specific reference to the government’s intent to minimize the impacts of disruptions and unpredictable market conditions in our sector. This is the shift we were looking for from this document and is directly in line with our advocacy work.
Building on Monday’s announcement on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in which accommodations were listed as a priority sector, this Budget places further supports behind expedited processing. This investment is important and will help deal with backlogs as the industry winds up for summer. Commitments were also made to ensure that Canada’s immigration system values the skills most needed by industries like tourism. These were among our key asks leading into the Budget.
A new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy will be launched to rebuild the sector. It will be led by the Minister of Tourism and HAC will be a key input stakeholder. We will have the opportunity to shape this strategy and define what future investments will be needed to support our path to recovery. Certainly, labour will be central pillar.
Having received a significant funding boost in last year’s Budget, Destination Canada will be well-positioned to execute strong marketing campaigns as the industry starts to recover.
The Budget makes investments into affordable housing – including rental housing, which is in short supply for hotel workers.
The pandemic support measures are being wound down. This is not surprising given the industry’s overall recovery track.
Overall, this Budget responds to our key asks of open borders, targeted labour policies, and a commitment to make tourism a priority sector for the growth of our economy.
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Major Changes to Union Certification Announced by Government of BC |
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Yesterday afternoon B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains announced that B.C. would move to a hybrid one-step unionization process where workers will only have to sign unionization cards to get union certification if a clear majority of 55% of the cards are signed. If 45% to 55% of workers sign a unionization card it will move to a secret ballot vote to determine if a union will be certified.
Previously, all certifications required a majority secret ballot vote triggered by 45% of staff signing union cards.
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Temporary Expanded Service Area Authorizations Extended Until Next Year |
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The temporary expanded service area (TESA) authorizations were extended until March 31, 2023 in an announcement today by the Honorable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
The extension was brought in so local governments have the additional time they were seeking to update their patio policies and for licensees to apply to make their new patio areas permanent. The timing of the announcement also avoids businesses having disrupt their patio service during the busy summer months.
In order to make a current TESA permanent businesses need to apply through the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Portal for permanent structural change and they must meet all local bylaws and requirements.
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Saskatchewan Announces $1M Investment to Promote Careers in Hospitality Sector |
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The Government of Saskatchewan has announced support of $1 million to Hospitality Saskatchewan to help them promote careers in Saskatchewan's hospitality and tourism sector. Saskatchewan's hospitality sector, like many other jurisdictions in North America, was one of the first and hardest hit by the global pandemic over the past two years, resulting in a labour shortage in the province.
"This $1 million investment, along with other programs like the recently launched Hard-To-Fill Skills Pilot and the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy, will assist in attracting, training and retaining employees needed to accelerate recovery of the hospitality sector" Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.
The BCHA is acutely aware of the positive impact education resources are to supporting industry training and growth and has engaged government in conversations surrounding this pilot project.
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Happy Global Meetings Industry Day! |
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Happy Global Meetings Industry Day!
Please take a moment to watch this video to understand more about the importance of the meetings and event sector as we celebrate its prosperous return.
#LightUpBlue for the industry!
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CDC Lowers Risk Level For Travel To Canada |
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved Canada down from Level 4 to Level 3 category of travel risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is no longer warning Americans to avoid travel to Canada because of the coronavirus.
In an update to its travel health notices on April 4th, the US public health agency said the level of covid-19 in Canada is “high” rather than “very high”; it had been at Level 4 since Jan. 10.
Level 3: High level of COVID-19
· Make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.
· Unvaccinated travelers should avoid nonessential travel to this destination.
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Beginning Tomorrow | Vaccine Cards & Safety Plans No Longer Required |
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Earlier this week, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer announced changes to remaining COVID-19 measures.
On April 8, 2022 at 12:01 am, further restrictions will be lifted including:
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Proof of vaccination will no longer be required under public health order to access businesses, events and services
- Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring proof of vaccination for entry
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Federal proof of vaccination is still required for federally regulated travel, like air travel
- Businesses will no longer need a COVID-19 safety plan. They must follow communicable disease guidance from WorkSafeBC
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Learn more about communicable disease plans here
- Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for post-secondary student housing
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REMINDER | Government Announces Positive Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program |
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Earlier this week, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development & Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program under the Workforce Solutions Road Map, providing hoteliers with better access to the program! This is outstanding news and has been a key advocacy priority over recent months - it is also the first step towards workforce solutions.
Effective April 30:
- Accommodation and Food Services will be among seven sectors in which employers will be allowed to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFW Program for low-wage positions for one year.
- The policy that automatically refuses LMIA applications in regions with unemployment rate of 6% or higher will end.
Effective immediately:
- Addressing seasonal peaks, there will no longer be a limit to the number of low-wage positions that employers in seasonal industries. In addition, the maximum duration of these positions will be increased from 180 days to 270 days per year.
- Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA’s) will be valid for 18 months, an increase from 9 months. (Prior to COVID-19, LMIA’s were valid for 6 months).
- The maximum duration of employment for High-Wage and Global Talent Streams workers will be extended to three years. This will help workers qualify for permanent residency, contributing to our long-term workforce.
Do you have any questions? Please reach out to BCHA Workforce Strategist, Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com !
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CanExport SME Program is
Now Accepting New Applications
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To help tourism businesses prepare for international markets, the CanExport SME program is now accepting new applications for programs starting after April 1, 2022. The program focuses on export marketing activities of existing products and services in foreign markets.
The funding program is now available to tourism businesses who cater to international visitors, and may partially cover a variety of marketing, advertising and other related expenses. Small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities (up to 50% of costs for export marketing of products and services in international markets with little or no current sales). Activities funded by the program include:
✔ Visits to foreign markets
✔ In-person participation at trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
✔ Attending virtual trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
✔ Translating, adapting or creating marketing materials
✔ Search Engine Optimization
✔ Gathering market intelligence (custom research, reports and studies)
✔ The program now supports costs tied to online advertising on social media platforms, online marketplaces and search engines.
✔Expert advice for digital and e-commerce marketing is now eligible.
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Reminder | Hiring with EDI in Mind | A Webinar & Resources |
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Looking for resources to help your organization build more inclusive job postings, interview techniques, accessibility policies, and more?
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RESOURCE HUB | The Talent MATCH Program is a collaboration between the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, the BC Museums Association, go2HR, and the Association for Co-operative Education & Work Integrated Learning (ACE-WIL) BC/Yukon. The project explores tools and resources to help WIL employers and staff effectively address student barriers around discrimination and inclusion.
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WEBINAR | Join #TalentMATCH for an info session reviewing the resources available on April 26 at 3pm.
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Time to Play! Register for Highly Anticipated Okanagan Golf Tournament! |
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Join us for BCHF’s inaugural Okanagan Golf Tournament at the Harvest Golf Club May 10!
The tournament is expected to attract over 130 golfers and will offer a full day of food, drink, prizes, networking, and fun for owners, managers, and suppliers -- all in the name of helping our own! Funds raised help hospitality workers across BC each year that are in a financial crisis due to a medical condition.
At 7,109 yards, The Harvest is a championship-length layout designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Graham Cooke. Following your round, enjoy a networking reception and silent auction with your fellow players to celebrate our industry among new contacts and friends!
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Inaugural Okanagan Golf Tournament
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Vancouver Golf Tournament
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
BC & CANADA
WORLD NEWS
INDUSTRY TRENDS
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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Western Community College Launches Fraser Valley's FIRST EVER Bachelor of Hospitality Management
Congratulations to our partners at Western Community College - the school has officially announced intake for the BACHELOR OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT program beginning May 2022!
This new degree program will offer our hospitality & tourism industry highly qualified graduates; students will be eligible for a 3 Year Post Graduate Work Permit!
We are delighted that resources are being afforded to pave the way for our next generation of industry leaders!
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Kootenay Rockies Region is Officially a Biosphere Certified Destination!
Kootenay Rockies Tourism was thrilled to receive their Biosphere Certified Destination status on March 23, 2022, from the Responsible Tourism Institute based in Spain.
Kootenay Rockies has joined the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association which are among only a select few destinations worldwide, and the third in Canada, to achieve this status.
The certification is based on established standards in areas that include climate change, environment, social, economy and culture – and guarantees compliance and continuous improvement through a private, voluntary and independent certification system – which is evaluated on an annual basis. The certification allows a region to showcase how they take sustainability seriously, but also ensures they are accountable to make necessary and ongoing improvements.
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Federal Budget 2022 | TIAC Member Talk
Join Beth Potter, President and CEO of TIAC, this Tuesday April 12, 2022
(2-3 pm EST) for an exclusive TIAC Member Talk focused on what the new budget will mean for you and your business.
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The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) announced the launch of the new Okanagan Golf Tournament. The inaugural Okanagan tournament at The Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna will kick off the golf season on May 10, 2022.
Register your team now while availability lasts.
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Online Education Support for Businesses and Employees
Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to offer free access for tourism business stakeholders across the province to online education supporting COVID-19 recovery.
- April 20th - Online Lead Generation for Small Business
- April 20th & 27th - Market Research for your Business Package
- April 26th - Get Started with Email Marketing
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May 8, 2022 – May 11, 2022
IMPACT is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation. The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and your voices are needed.
Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.
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Mar 29, 2022 | 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Host: GreenStep Sustainable Tourism
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Register Now! Vancouver Island Tourism Conference 2022
April 12 - 14, 2022
Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region are invited to attend the in-person return of the annual Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, powered by Tourism Vancouver Island. It will be held April 12-14, 2022 in Victoria, B.C. at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. This year’s conference will focus on Mindful Travel: The health of our environment; The health of our industry; The health of our people. The early bird rate is $375 until February 11th (Regular rate is $475 until March 28th). Learn more and register here.
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Comment Card | Click on Image for More |
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Industry Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day! |
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Celebrating BC's Landscape |
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