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July 24, 2020

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Learn about liabilities for operators if customers contract COVID-19 OMCA Please join us for a webinar at noon on July 30th as we host Andrew Buck, Partner with Pitblado LLP to discuss an operator’s liability concerning passenger health risks. While the industry has taken many steps to reduce the risk for passengers including enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, social distancing, temperature checks, facial coverings, and more, as people return to motor coach travel, members remain concerned about their liability should someone ride on a coach and subsequently test positive for COVID-19. Andrew will cover liability and discuss measures to reduce liability including waivers. READ MORE

INDUSTRY NEWS

Atlantic premiers not ready to lift travel restrictions on rest of Canada The Globe and Mail Nearly two weeks after a loosened travel agreement between their provinces came into effect, Atlantic Canadian premiers are not rushing to set a date to welcome visitors from the rest of the country.The Atlantic travel "bubble" that opened July 3 allows residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island to travel between the four provinces without being required to self-isolate for 14 days. READ MORE

Canadian, American tour boats at Niagara Falls become symbol of COVID-19 contrast CTV News To some observers, a pair of tour boats at Canada's landmark Niagara Falls have become a symbol for how the country's COVID-19 response compares to the virus-ravaged United States.It's a tale of two countries as shown by capacity levels on board the Hornblower Cruise on the Canadian side of the falls, and the famed Maid of the Mist on the American side. READ MORE

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Hotel association develops 'safe stay guest checklist' for travelers Travel Pulse To help reassure travelers during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released the "Safe Stay Guest Checklist" to standardize the safety experience nationwide.The new checklist is part of the AHLA's larger set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel guests and employees. READ MORE

How the TDSB plans to resume classes in September CP24 While school boards across Canada are quietly developing plans for bringing students back to class in September, the largest such organization in the country has taken things one step further by laying out a variety of scenarios in stark, costly detail. Some of the models under consideration at the Toronto District School Board involve changing the way certain subjects are taught, while others raise public health and safety concerns among industry observers who fear COVID-19 will continue to present an imminent threat in the months ahead. READ MORE

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Looking to travel in Canada or abroad? Here's what you need to know CTV News As provinces and countries continue to ease lockdown restrictions, many Canadians contemplating a summer trip are wondering what a potential holiday amid the pandemic could look like.While most provinces have opened their borders for travel within Canada, some popular international destinations are also beginning to ease their restrictions in a move to welcome back tourists. However, not everywhere is open, and travellers must follow certain rules. READ MORE

Man who entered Canada from US charged for failing to self-isolate in NS CTV News A man who came to Canada from the United States has been charged for violating Nova Scotia's Health Protection Act after he failed to self-isolate in the province for 14 days.New Glasgow Regional Police responded to the parking lot of a business on Westville Road in New Glasgow, N.S., around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Police found a 23-year-old man who they say came to Canada from California, but failed to self-isolate for two weeks after arriving in Nova Scotia, as required under the Health Protection Act. READ MORE

PRODUCT SHOWCASE About Port Colborne The City of Port Colborne is a community steeped in marine heritage. With a generous climate, ample beach front, and cultural attractions, Port Colborne is an ideal holiday destination. Add to this to our historic shopping districts, variety of restaurants, location, selection of natural attractions and recreation facilities, and Port Colborne is a unique holiday destination. Check out the 2019/2020 Port Colborne Visitor's Guide! LEARN MORE

Marriott will require guests to wear masks at all US hotels Travel Pulse This morning, President and CEO of Marriott International, Arne Sorenson, took to the internet airwaves with a message for customers, announcing that guests of all Marriott properties across the nation will soon be required to wear face-coverings in common areas, regardless of jurisdiction. Marriott’s new mandate that guests wear face-coverings onsite will take effect on July 27, 2020. READ MORE

New Brunswick is giving $3 million in rebates to residents who staycation in the province Global News New Brunswick wants residents to have a staycation in the province this summer as a result of COVID-19 restrictions — and it's announced a rebate system to encourage it.Expenses made while on vacation within the province could qualify New Brunswickers for a 20 per cent rebate on the cost of their vacation.An eligible vacation must include a paid overnight stay between July 15 and Sept. 30, according to a news release. READ MORE

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Niagara casinos will not reopen Friday Niagara Falls Review While casinos are allowed to reopen as the province permits Niagara to enter Stage 3 of its recovery plan, Niagara Falls' two gaming halls will remain closed.Under provincial guidelines, casinos are permitted to open, but must abide by significant restrictions including capping indoor gatherings at 50. "It's not a casino issue, it's a capacity issue," said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. READ MORE

Ontario begins expansion of highways 6, 401 between Hamilton and Guelph Global News The Ontario government says an expansion project that will widen highways 6 and 401 between Hamilton and Guelph in addition to circumnavigating the town of Morriston is underway.The Ministry of Transportation says the new expansion is expected to remove the bottleneck near Morriston, where Highway 6 becomes a single lane in each direction. The new design will bypass Morriston and directly connect highways 401 and 6. READ MORE

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Ontario Place will reopen to host events and festivals amid COVID-19 pandemic CP24 The Ontario government will spend $2 million to reopen Ontario Place in order to host on-site events and festivals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Minister of Tourism Lisa MacLeod made the announcement afternoon, just after the province revealed the regions that will be moving to Stage 3 of the province's reopening plan.Toronto, where Ontario Place is located, remains in Stage 2 along with Peel and Windsor-Essex. READ MORE

Safer design could make bus crashes like Jasper National Park rollover less deadly, expert says CBC News More comprehensive federal regulations could help reduce the dangers of bus crashes like the deadly rollover in Jasper National Park on Saturday that killed three people and injured two dozen others, says a road safety expert.What caused the rollover of the big-wheeled, off-road tourist bus remains under investigation by RCMP, and spokesperson Cpl. Deanna Fontaine said it could be months before collision reconstructionists can finish their work and release a report on what happened. READ MORE

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Union warns of looming school bus driver shortage this fall CP24 The union representing many of Ontario school bus drivers is warning that there will be a shortage of drivers this fall if the Ford government doesn’t provide new protocols to ensure bus operators and students are safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.In a statement released this week, Unifor says urgent action is needed to ensure drivers can safely transport students to school starting in September.The union adds that engagement between the provincial government and school bus drivers has been minimal. READ MORE

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Check out Ripley's Aquarium from Home Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada - in the heart of downtown Toronto next to the CN Tower. Immerse yourself in a world of 20,000 aquatic animals and discover your own underwater adventure featuring North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel. LEARN MORE Reach Your Prospects Every Week Thousands of industry professionals subscribe to association news briefs, which allows your company to push messaging directly to their inboxes and take advantage of the association's brand affinity. Connect with Highly Defined Buyers and Maximize Your Brand Exposure LEARN MORE

What clients need to know about the expanded wage subsidy Advisor's Edge Changes to the federal government's wage subsidy program will provide a boost to employment and support household incomes as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) winds down, a report from TD Economics says. Recently, the federal government detailed changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), as the program is extended and qualifications for employers are eased. READ MORE

Where is the COVID-19 contact tracing app that was supposed to launch in Ontario? CTV News Premier Doug Ford says a contact tracing app that could prevent a "potential second wave" of COVID-19 in Ontario will "possibly" be unveiled, more than a month later than the original launch date.The federally-backed COVID Alert app, designed in partnership with Shopify and Blackberry, was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in mid-June with plans to test the software in Ontario before launching the program nationwide. READ MORE

Where the world wants to go: Vacation choices for 2021 The Travel Industry Today Due to the effects of the coronavirus, many peoples’ travel plans this year have either been cancelled or postponed. Although there are a number destinations that are still not able to be visited in 2020, interest in 2021 vacations has been growing in the past few months. In fact, according to Google Trends, searches for 2021 vacations have increased by 124 percent when compared to the end of March. READ MORE

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