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Federal
- One of the first Liberal campaign announcements in August was a promise to introduce a temporary wage subsidy and rent subsidy stream for sectors like hotels, tour operators, convention centres and festivals experiencing a minimum of 40% revenue loss. Qualifying businesses in these sectors would be able to access a maximum subsidy rate of 75%, commensurate to their revenue loss, in order to help cover fixed costs like wages and rent between September 2021 and May 31, 2022. Details can be found here. This announcement aligned with an ask the Hardest Hit Coalition has been advocating for over the last few months. CAEM is a member of the Steering Committee of the Hardest Hit Coalition and has been supporting their efforts. Further, it is important to remember CAEM has been advocating for an extension to the wage subsidy and rent subsidy into 2022 at the Federal level since January, so it is gratifying to know our message was heard.Since the announcement, CAEM has been working with Hardest Hit Coalition Co-Chair and President of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), Beth Potter to ensure trade and consumer shows, our suppliers, and venues are included in the criteria for this proposed funding stream. To make this happen we will need to collect specific data about our industry, our economic impact as well as the negative impact the pandemic has wrought on our businesses. Your participation will be essential in this process. So please watch your emails for a very important survey in the coming weeks and make your voice heard.
- Another significant activity CAEM has undertaken during the Federal Election Campaign is the distribution of an updated brief and survey to every candidate in every political party and riding across Canada. Here's the English version and French version. The Federal Election Campaign is the perfect time to make an impact and draw attention to the fact our industry is among the hardest hit; we were the first sector to shut down, we are the last one to be given the green light to fully re-open; and therefore we need extended financial support to aid in our recovery. Our public affairs firm, Crestview Strategy has taken the lead in ensuring the distribution of these documents to all candidates, but to really make our collective voices heard we need you – our members and stakeholders – to amplify our message with your local candidates. We have a finite amount of time to show politicians of all political stripes how important our industry is in Canada's economy and you can make a major impact.
- We have created a toolkit, including key messages and suggested social media posts, for you to use when interacting with candidates. Remember, candidates are looking for votes, so they will want to talk to you!You can find your riding, your local candidates and their contact info here. Please contact the CAEM office at 416-787-9377 or info@caem.ca with any questions you may have and please let us know about the responses you receive from your candidates. Thank you in advance for getting involved in this campaign and making an impact.
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Provincial
BC
- CAEM has been actively participating in BC’s COVID-19 Industry Engagement Table over the course of the last several months. As a result, we have been invited to represent our sector in consultations being held regarding the recently announced vaccine passport program. As we learn more about the consultation process, we will provide you with updates.
- The Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund provides one-time grants to event organizers to support the safe restart of events across BC. Up to 20% of your total event budget, up to a maximum of $250,000 is available to cover a range of operational expenses. Exhibitions are listed as eligible events, so we encourage you to explore this funding option. Applications must be submitted by 1pm PST on October 1, 2021 and funding decisions will be communicated by November 2021.
ON
- On Thursday, September 1, Ontario announced their proof of vaccination program required to access certain businesses and settings starting September 22, with a roll out of QR code technology to happen on October 22. Between September 22 and October 22, government provided vaccine receipts along with government issued ID will be required for admission to the businesses and facilities included in this program. Meeting and events spaces, including conference and convention centres are included in the mandatory requirement. Specific government regulations surrounding this program will be forthcoming but as yet are unavailable.
- Since Ontario began its Roadmap to Reopen in June, CAEM has been advocating for trade and consumer shows to be aligned with the reopening guidelines for retail businesses – as has been done in other provinces. When the cap on meeting and events spaces was announced in Step 3 ( 50% of capacity or 1000 people whichever is less) CAEM immediately began seeking clarity on who was included in the capacity limit, for example, are exhibitors and event staff included in this number. The response received from the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Policy Branch offered little clarity on this matter and in fact suggested our members seek legal counsel to assist in interpreting the regulations. Click here for our most recent correspondence.When it became clear the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture was unable to offer the clarity needed, CAEM proactively sent a letter to the Ministries of Finance; Red Tape Reduction and Small Business; Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; and the Treasury Board to plead our case for trade and consumer shows to be aligned with retail. You will find the letter here. We successfully secured a meeting with Deputy Minister Giles Gherson from Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade on August 26th to discuss our sector’s situation. Deputy Minister Gherson was very receptive to our argument and agreed to speak to the Chief Medical Officer on our behalf. We are following up with the Deputy Minister with urgency given the announcement of the proof of vaccine program.
- Rest assured we understand and feel your frustration regarding the lack of clarity surrounding the 1000 person capacity limit and the myriad of unanswered questions and confusion in the announced proof of vaccine program. Further, we understand the urgency of the situation and are working every possible angle to procure the answers and receive the clarity our industry needs. Thank you for your continued support as we work on your behalf.
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