Give us the data to fight for YOU! We need more CFOA surveys completed.
The cancellation of Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program aka the HST Visitor Rebate Program, means that non-resident guests can no longer receive the 6.5% rebate either applied for or included on their invoices from tourism packages.
Reminder: The HST visitor rebate program has been cancelled effective January 1, 2018
NOTO is continuing to coordinate lobby efforts with our friends at the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations at the Federal level. Our initial proposal to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is to exempt packages rather than having a rebate program. This type of program would have each tourism business submit a detailed description of their packages to the CRA to receive a letter authorizing that approved packages could be exempt from the full 13% or at a minimum 6.5%. This would address the CRA’s concerns that the former rebate program was an administrative burden.
In order to continue our efforts on this proposal and other Federal issues, we need your help. Earlier this year we sent out a link to an economic impact survey to you. WE NEED THOSE NUMBERS!! Please take some time over the next month to complete the survey, it is very important. Without being able to show the benefits to Canada that all of you contribute, we cannot be effective in our lobby efforts either Provincially or Federally.
As I work with my colleagues from other Provinces, I am proud to say that Ontario has the largest outdoor tourism industry in all of Canada! However, we have the lowest return on these surveys and it also seems we have the most policy and regulations challenges.
I encourage each of you to make the time now to help show a true picture of our industry in Ontario and help me fight for YOU!!
To access the survey, which has 20 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete, please click here or copy and paste the following link: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4061784/b9389e89d78c
There is a second phase to the national outfitter survey and this requires the input from your guests. To see the true economic impacts of our industry, we need to learn more about what your guests spend to come to lodges in Ontario and why they come. We will be sending out a separate email to members shortly with the details and links to the survey.
I know a number of you do not like surveys, but for organizations like NOTO that are here to advocate on your behalf, they provide crucial information that help us get the attention we need to affect positive change.
I would be happy to speak to anyone about these surveys or our lobby efforts at any time.
Laurie Marcil
Executive Director
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