KENORA, Ont. — A spokesperson for northern Ontario tourist outfitters says the government's decision to waive some fees it charges the resource-based tourism sector will help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Laurie Marcil, executive director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, says it's among a number of relief measures the industry has been seeking.
"We fought for that," Marcil told Tbnewswatch, adding that this will return an estimated $1.2 million to operators' operating funds.
"It is of course very helpful," she said, while pointing out that the industry feels much more is needed.
Natural Resources and Forestry Minister John Yakabuski announced recently that the government will not be charging operators for certain licences and land-use fees, including:
- Licence to Provide Bear Hunting Services fees
- Bear Management Area fees (for land use associated with the licence to provide bear hunting services)
- Baitfish Harvester and Dealer Licence fees
- Baitfish Harvest Area fees (for use of harvesting area associated with the harvesting licence)
Refunds will be provided for fees that have already been paid.
The province is also providing relief from land use fees for outpost camp permits or leases issued under the Public Lands Act, with details to be announced soon.
Outfitters pay the government $822 annually for each outpost cabin operated in a separate location on Crown land.
After Yakabukski's announcement, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford released a statement saying the resource-based tourism sector has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, and the government is "proud to provide immediate support to these businesses."
Marcil noted that not all businesses in the sector will benefit from the measures, but they will help "a large percentage" by putting money in their pockets to help them cover other fixed costs.
She added that the industry has a long list of requests for additional support from both the federal and Ontario governments.
"A lot of our focus now is on the federal side, trying to get some financial assistance for these operations, especially in Northwestern Ontario from Thunder Bay westward, where the percentage of U.S. clientele is much higher in some areas," Marcil said.
She said trying to pivot to a Canadian market in the absence of American clientele is much more challenging in this region.
The industry is asking for federal grants rather than loans, which in some cases are barely adequate to cover basic costs such as insurance.
"We need to carry these folks through to the next season. Pretty much this whole season is at a loss, particularly in Northwestern Ontario. Any revenue they get at this point will not recoup their losses this year," Marcil said. "It will just hold the loss where it is."
In early June, a spokesperson for Kenora-based Sunset Country Travel Association said lodge operators had already lost half their usual annual income because their U.S. clients were barred from entering Canada.
