"Checking-In" with Temporary Foreign Workers
The old adage that "Canadians are born all over the world, it just takes some time for them to get here" continues to ring true, particularly, as accommodators look outside of Canada to welcome new employees. Temporary Foreign Workers contribute immensely to our industry in British Columbia, but we share a friendly reminder that additional documentation is required to ensure these workers meet employment and immigration protocols.

Please see below for a quick guide on how you can confirm this, reviewing your use of third-party organizations and contractors:

  • Most importantly: please check the work permits of all Temporary Foreign Workers employed at your property, ensuring that their permit has NOT expired.
  • Please note, SIN numbers have an expiry date for TFW so just having the number does not mean it is valid. TFW’s SIN numbers will expire on the same date as their work permits; therefore, a copy of the work permit is better to have than just a worker’s SIN.
  • PR cards will also have an expiry date; therefore, it is best to have a copy of the actual card.
  • We also recommend you have the following documentation in the TFW’s personnel file: (Please note, if you were to be audited by Service Canada or IRCC, they will request this.)
  • For temporary foreign workers (workers on working holiday permits, post-graduate work permits, LMIA supported work permit)
  • Copy of current work permit
  • Copy of SIN number
  • Proof of medical coverage- usually temporary medical coverage
  • Copy of plane ticket/transportation being paid (for LMIA supported work permits)
  • Job offer letter
  • Employment contract or job description
  • Copy of pay stubs (if you cannot easily access this through your payroll)
  • For workers that have their PR or in the process of getting their PR finalized:
  • Copy of PR card or proof of application to IRCC
  • Copy of SIN number
  • Proof of medical coverage- usually MSP enrollment
  • Copy of plane ticket/transportation being paid (for LMIA supported work permits)
  • Job offer letter
  • Employment contract or job description
  • Copy of pay stubs (if you cannot easily access this through your payroll)
  • If you have an undocumented TFW at your property:
  • We recommend reaching out to one of the following immigration consultants. As there are many immigration consultants that do not follow proper policies or procedure, the BCHA has extensively vetted these companies and are pleased to share they are reputable and trusted organizations.
  • Bell Alliance, LLP:
  • Heather Bell Consultant and Manager, Immigration
  • hbell@bellalliance.ca
  • 604 873 8723 x 130
  • Radar Immigration:
  • Rena Dhir RCIC B.Comm, CPA, CGA (Former Board Member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada)
  • rena@radarimmigration.com
  • +1 604 725 7050
  • Crease Harman, LLP:
  • Sarah N. Goodman B.B.A. (Hons), J.D. | Lawyer
  • sgoodman@crease.com
  • 250-388-5421 | Fax: 250-388-4294
Today's update includes:

  • General Updates
  • Deadline Extended to Tomorrow! BC Accommodation Survey
  • Support the BC 2030 Olympic Bid
  • FYI | go2HR’s Employment Tracker and Workforce Profiles Share Employment Info
  • WorkBC | Preliminary Base Rates for the 2023 Insurance Year
  • Elevate Your Property with Organic & Fairtrade Linens from Takasa! Member Pricing!
  • BCRTS COVID-19 Tourism Impact Survey Report
  • Legal Considerations When Developing a Work From Home Policy
  • TOTA Seeking Board Nominations
  • Help Industry Colleagues Facing Financial Crisis Participate in BCHF Golf Tournament
  • News - See more below!
  • BC | Canada News
  • World News
  • Industry Trends
  • Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
  • On the Move! Congrats to Industry Colleagues and Friends Making Changes and Taking on New Roles
  • Mark Your Calendars
  • Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
  • Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
Deadline Extended to Tomorrow! BC Accommodation Survey
BC hoteliers, accommodation operators - we need your help!

As the voice of BC's accommodation sector, the BC Hotel Association is looking to hear from the provincial accommodation community to shape our advocacy, communications, and member services efforts moving forward. This is your LAST CHANCE to participate in our BC Accommodation Engagement Survey. Please submit prior to July 20 at 5pm!

PLUS: Share your name and email to be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card to the Keg Steakhouse & Bar!
Support the BC 2030 Olympic Bid
Bringing the Olympic Games to BC in 2030 could have an enormous impact on our provincial accommodation and tourism industries. This week marks an important milestone to bring the games back to BC, with the organizing committee meeting with various councils, including the City of Vancouver.

Support the BC 2030 Olympic bid by doing the following:
  • Register as a speaker
  • Send a letter or comment to council
  • Attend and support visibly
  • Complete the engagement survey on the GamesEngagement.ca site
FYI | go2HR’s Employment Tracker and Workforce Profiles Share Employment Info
Did you know? BC’s Tourism and Hospitality employment went down by 3% between May 2022 and June 2022. Though this is still lower than pre-COVID levels, the number of jobs in June 2022 is much higher than the same month in both 2020 and 2021.
 
More information about BC’s Tourism and Hospitality Labour Market can be found in the go2HR Employment Tracker, including statistics on employment by region and/or sector, unemployment rates, average hourly earnings, and more. The Employment Tracker is updated monthly, keeping the information timely and relevant.
WorkBC | Preliminary Base Rates
for the 2023 Insurance Year
WorkSafeBC announced the preliminary base rates for 2023. The employer experience rating letters, confirming the new rates, are expected to be available at the end of July. This change of an earlier release date is intended to provide employers more time to factor in and plan for any potential cost increases when budgeting for 2023.
 
WorkSafeBC also announced that the average base premium rate for 2023 is 1.55 percent of employers' assessable payroll, which has been maintained at the same level since 2018.
  • To learn more about how rates are set and how they could impact your classification unit or industry in 2023, click here.
  • To search your classification unit for your preliminary base rate, click here.
Elevate Your Property with Organic & Fairtrade Linens from Takasa! Member Pricing!
Takasa is a British Columbia Benefit Company, based in Vancouver, and the first Canadian company to have their bed and bath linens certified for both GOTS organic and Fairtrade Cotton. Takasa bedding, towels, robes and accessories are crafted with the highest standards of sustainability, while delivering superior comfort and durability for your guests and facility. Takasa’s product lifecycle is measured from seed to final delivery and they can provide you with environmental footprint and carbon offset data for ESG reporting and WELL Certification. In an environment where consumers are making choices based on their social and environmental beliefs, awareness around sustainability in hospitality continues to grow and trend upwards. By incorporating sustainable linens into your hospitality business, you can not only appeal to environmentally-conscious guests, but also do your part for people and the planet alike.

BENEFITS TO MEMBERS
  • Exclusive BCHA pricing on organic and Fairtrade cotton bed and bath linens
  • One-on-one support and free consultation to help you get set up
  • Self-service portal for re-ordering
  • Linens that make you and your customer feel good inside and out
  • Minimizing your carbon footprint

HOW TO GET STARTED
Visit https://www.takasa.co/pages/hospitality for more information, or contact Kuljit Rakhra at ose@takasa.co or call 1-866-282-5272
BCRTS COVID-19 Tourism
Impact Survey Final Report
The report is a summary of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the visitor economy in British Columbia from April 2020 to December 2021. This report is intended to share the experiences of the visitor economy as BCRTS stakeholders persevered through one of the most challenging periods in the province’s history. The experience of the visitor economy during this challenging time contains many lessons for partners and stakeholders on navigating future events, impacts, and crises.
Legal Considerations When
Developing a Work From Home Policy
The COVID-19 pandemic had many impacts on the business world but perhaps the most enduring will be employees’ desire to work from home and employers’ need to accommodate them. WorkSafeBC advises that employers who have remote employees should have a policy addressing the whole working from home scenario.
 
Smithson Employment Law Corporation published an article, ”Working From Home - The New Reality,” outlining the legal and human resources considerations for employers when developing a Work from Home Policy.
TOTA Seeking Board Nominations
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is seeking qualified candidates (see Eligibility Requirements) to serve on the TOTA Board of Directors. Aiming to attract enthusiastic and energetic tourism professionals representing a wide range of the Thompson Okanagan’s tourism sectors, communities, and perspectives, the TOTA board is eager to explore new ideas and learn from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
 
If you are interested to run in the TOTA board election and meets the criteria outlined above, please submit a signed nomination form to TOTABC.org/AGM/election by Friday, August 12, 2022.
Help Industry Colleagues Facing Financial Crisis Participate in BCHF Golf Tournament
The BC Hospitality Foundation’s 8th annual Victoria Golf Tournament is fast approaching! Join our industry at the new venue, Olympic View Golf Club on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022 for a day of golf, fun, networking, food and drink - all for a great cause!

There are three ways you can participate and help raise money: Play, Sponsor, Donate! Get involved today and secure your tickets!
Industry News & Quick Links
Tipping Our Hat to Industry
On the Move! Congrats to Industry Colleagues and Friends Making Changes and Taking on New Roles

  • The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is pleased to announce Orie Berlasso as our new Vice President, Events & Engagement. Orie is an accomplished and recognized leader with almost two decades of project management experience focused on event strategy, marketing, business development and stakeholder engagement.
  • Jungwon Suh has started a new position as Banquet Manager at Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier! Planning an event in Vancouver? You know who to connect with.
  • Graeme Benn has been appointed Dual General Manager of JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection Hotel! The industry veteran has 35+ years of global hospitality experience in luxury and full service hotels - a perfect fit for the luxury hotels.
Mark Your Calendars
Jul 19, 2022 – Jul 21, 2022 | 1:00 PM
Host: Destinations International 
Jul 27, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Host: Small Business BC
Jul 31, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Host: Small Business BC
July 31 – August 2, 2022 I Nashville, TN 
Yes SHEF! Elevating Women in Food & Wine returns this summer in Vancouver!
August 15, 2022
More details to come! Email yesshef@worthassociation.com for sponsor / partnership opportunities
Comment Card
BCHA on TikTok | Meet Our Employee of the Month!
Industry Book Recommendations to Inspire Positivity
Congratulations to WCC
Hospitality Graduates!
Have You Tried the Famous
Toe-Tally Cocktail?
Last Laugh