CAEM Update – December 20, 2021

On Thursday evening, December 16th, MPs and Senators passed Bill C -2 which includes the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP). The fact the trade show industry is specifically mentioned as being eligible for this funding program is a direct result of CAEM's advocacy over the course of the last year –  including nearly 70 meetings with MPs of all political stripes as well as high-ranking staff in key Ministries.  Thank you to the CAEM members and stakeholders who joined us in the meetings with MPs to help drive home the message that our industry desperately needed sector-specific funding.  Your action made a difference.

The strategic alliances CAEM has made with like-minded organizations such as TIAC, TIAO, MMBC and the Conference Centres of Canada, have also played an important role in amplifying our message and getting our voice heard.  We would be remiss if we did not once again thank TIAC President & CEO, Beth Potter for reinforcing the key role our sector plays in tourism and for working with us to make sure our industry was included in the eligibility criteria for the THRP.

As a member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses, CAEM was able to offer significant input as this legislation was proposed and then included in the Liberal election platform.  We have actively participated every step of the way as this legislation was introduced in the House in November and want to thank you for participating in the most recent letter writing campaign to encourage MPs to pass Bill C-2 – over 11,000 letters were sent to MPs by Hardest Hit Coalition member organizations and no doubt CAEM members sent a large number of those letters!

On Friday afternoon the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses met with the
Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, to thank him for his support and celebrate the passing of this legislation (see the photo below).

This is a big win for CAEM and the industry as a whole.  The advocacy work we have undertaken on your behalf led to this point and as a result our industry is named in the eligibility criteria for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and we have not been left behind.

Now that the legislation has passed, it will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the expectation is the application process will be similar to CEWS and CERS.  The funding will be retroactive to October 23, 2021 and it will end on March 12, 2022.

To qualify, businesses need to meet the following criteria:

• An average monthly revenue reduction of at least 40% over the first 13 qualifying periods for CEWS (from March 2020 to February 2021)
• A current month revenue loss of at least 40%

We will let you know immediately once the application portal opens on the CRA website, most likely early in the new year.  In the meantime we are happy to share the details we have at present, here.

As we grapple with the rapid advancement of the Omicron variant and the direct impact on our industry, you can count on CAEM to continue championing the industry's needs with all levels of government.

BC

• On Friday afternoon, CAEM participated in a meeting of the BC COVID-19 Industry Engagement Table where Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, explained the restrictions they would be announcing later in the day to stem the spread of Omicron variant in BC. 
• Beginning December 20th and extending until January 31st, indoor organized gatherings with capacity for 1,000 people or more can only use 50% capacity. 
• The BC government press release can be found here.  The full list of restrictions in place as of December 20 can be found here. The PHO order on gatherings and events can be found here.

Ontario

• Late Friday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford and Chief Medical Officer Kieran Moore announced additional restrictions to combat the rapidly spreading Omicron variant in Ontario. You can find the press release here. 
• The 50% capacity limit announced for certain indoor settings on December 15th – including meeting and event spaces – has now been extended to all indoor settings effective December 19th. 
• The newly announced measures include the following further restrictions on meeting and event spaces:
  
  • Bars and restaurants and meeting and event spaces to close service at 11pm, excluding take-out.  
  • Number of patrons at a table at restaurants and meeting and event spaces limited to a maximum of 10 and patrons required to remain seated.
  • Sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10pm and the consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11pm.
• The government regulations have been updated to reflect the 50% capacity limit and can be found here.

Quebec

• As we reported to you in our update on September 16th, trade and consumer shows held in Quebec are subject to the same health and safety guidance as retail establishments.  Like most provinces, Quebec recently announced measures aimed at lessening the impact of the Omicron variant on its health care system.  As a result, effective December 20th, retail establishments will be limited to 50% capacity and this will also include trade and consumer shows.  More details can be found here.

Sales Manager – One of a Kind Show – Informa Canada 

Customs & Logistics Co-ordinator – Cross Connect Customs & Event Logistics

Sales Executive – dmg events

Senior Sales Executive – dmg events

Operations Manager – dmg events

Administrator – Events – dmg events

Senior Commercial Producer – Content – dmg events

Manager, Shows and Conferences  – ZoomerMedia

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