168 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Laid off, except for a "core team." Don't know the numbers, though. via https://www.tourismv...PCf_HiYyj7_Qzhw

 

ah yes.

 

 

Earlier this week we went from a more positive outlook organisational structure which reflected an ambitious strategy, to a leaner more prudent organisational chart with six positions affected permanently.

 

As the situation continued to deteriorate with borders closing and transportation scaling down, much of the rest of our team was put on recallable notices layoffs today, effective March 25 with an anticipated return date of June 15. This will allow two days to transfer files and wind down non essential operations.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 March 2020 - 09:55 AM.

[spanky123]

^Why don't they just speak english? I am sure that staff feel a lot better being told they were 'prudently reorganized' and on 're-callable notice'.

[kxl]

Their 2020 visitors’ guide is so much better though (a cover that actually depicts a real scene within Victoria city limits! a map that shows a ferry connection to SSI now!) Too bad untold thousands of global citizens will not be exposed to this masterpiece.

[Victoria Watcher]

^Why don't they just speak english? I am sure that staff feel a lot better being told they were 'prudently reorganized' and on 're-callable notice'.

 

i think a layoff with no prospects for recall (the six positions noted) is just a "termination" like any other dismissal without cause.  the rest are a layoff.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 March 2020 - 10:24 AM.

[spanky123]

i think a layoff with no prospects for recall (the six positions noted) is just a "termination" like any other dismissal without cause.  the rest are a layoff.

 

Employers are using layoffs as they are not required to pay severance or remit holiday pay until the layoff period expires. It is probably a good bet that the layoff period will be extended. If the company doesn't make it and files for bankruptcy then they don't have to pay the severance.

Edited by spanky123, 20 March 2020 - 10:54 AM.

[Matt R.]

I have one expert opinion that the severance portion after 13 weeks will not apply, as this situation falls under “ (d) employed under an employment contract that is impossible to perform due to an unforeseeable event or circumstance other than receivership, action under section 427 of the Bank Act (Canada) or a proceeding under an insolvency Act“

The expert warned that this is not a legal opinion as there has never been a situation like this, but in their 35 years as a policy expert with the Ministry of Labour, this is their opinion. “ Since there has never been an event of this nature since modern Employment Standards law came into existence, there has never been an opportunity for a court or tribunal to rule on this question.”

Matt.

[spanky123]

I have one expert opinion that the severance portion after 13 weeks will not apply, as this situation falls under “ (d) employed under an employment contract that is impossible to perform due to an unforeseeable event or circumstance other than receivership, action under section 427 of the Bank Act (Canada) or a proceeding under an insolvency Act“

The expert warned that this is not a legal opinion as there has never been a situation like this, but in their 35 years as a policy expert with the Ministry of Labour, this is their opinion. “ Since there has never been an event of this nature since modern Employment Standards law came into existence, there has never been an opportunity for a court or tribunal to rule on this question.”

Matt.

 

That is the same opinion held by many experts at this point and what I referenced here last week. If the place of work is closed due to health and safety reasons or an event such as you referenced then the employer is not obligated to pay severance.

[Bernard]

Does anyone know if there has been any analysis of the tourism sector here in town and how it will do this year?

[Victoria Watcher]

Does anyone know if there has been any analysis of the tourism sector here in town and how it will do this year?

 

 

the two largest downtown hotels are closed.  isn't that a pretty good indication?

[Bernard]

the two largest downtown hotels are closed.  isn't that a pretty good indication?

I was looking for any numbers than the anecdotal things we can see.   I want data 

[Victoria Watcher]

I want data 

 

dine-in restaurants open:  0

museums, art galleries, attractions open:  0

tour companies operating:  0

bars and pubs open:  0

fishing charters, ocean tours operating:  0

airline operating capacity:  10%

international ferries serving victoria:  0

cruise ship visits 2020:  0

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 March 2020 - 10:58 AM.

[Midnightly]

i don't see it being a banner year for tourism that's for sure

[Victoria Watcher]

The notion that tourism in the capital region will struggle but survive on local and regional travel is erroneous and not supported by data. It is also dangerous because it may inadvertently influence federal and provincial decision making. In recent years, domestic travellers from B.C. contributed less than one-third of Greater Victoria’s annual tourism revenue.

 

We typically have 2.4 million visits by B.C. residents annually and that would need to grow to six million visits to offset lost revenue — completely unrealistic.

 

While we will try and make the best of what we have to work with, the hard truth is that without significant and timely financial support, even with a green light of confidence to encourage local, provincial and potentially national visitors, the majority of our businesses won’t survive 2020, let alone until spring 2021 when prospects for travel hopefully improve.

 

The provincial government’s Restart Plan earmarks easing restrictions on travel towards the end of July 2020. This timing understandably depends on the continued containment of COVID-19. However, it is impossible for tourism-reliant businesses to plan or resource with any certainty. Businesses will lose virtually the entire tourism season.

 

Although the federal and provincial governments have consulted on what the needs are for various sectors, neither domestic travellers nor the government supports presented to date will enable tourism businesses to retain or re-employ their staffs.

 

Unless financial support is received quickly, the very limited time left for the tourism sector to recover coupled with ongoing uncertainty will result in the collapse of most businesses dependent upon visitors travelling to our communities.

 

The federal government has created and implemented special programs to bolster oil and gas, agriculture, and other sectors, but, so far, there has not been any direct support of substance for tourism — a $102-billion industry nationally that in our region contributes more than $2.3 billion to the local economy.

 

We are trying to make the best of a health crisis that has also become an equally severe economic crisis. We are trying to hang on this season, not profit.

 

On behalf of our member businesses and their employees, we are calling upon all levels of government to be more attuned and responsive to what is really happening on the ground — here in the capital region, around the province and across the country.

 

We urgently need the provincial and federal governments to take immediate action to ensure that tourism businesses emerge from the pandemic whole, so they can continue to be a major contributor and help rebuild our economy here at home and across the country.

 

In order to survive, tourism needs support to stay solvent.

 

The Conference Board of Canada report forecasts 2021 will be better business-wise for everyone. GDP is expected to gradually increase and unemployment will decrease.

 

But in order to still be here and fully realize this anticipated growth, tourism businesses urgently need government help at this critical juncture.

 

https://www.timescol...lure-1.24142502

 

 

so ok.  they are probably right.  but what are they asking for?  just some money to tide them over?  money to who? to pay the rent or the vehicle (boat, bus, bike, car etc.) leases?  to keep staff?  to run some type of alternate business? 

 

it would be nice if the letter indicated what the ask is - other than just "money".

 

if the government gives $1m to prince of whales and that business still does not run boats or hire any staff - does that make sense?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 May 2020 - 11:19 AM.

[Nparker]

...if the government gives $1m to prince of whales and that business still does not run boats or hire any staff - does that make sense?

Agreed. Something more detailed than just a CERB-like handout needs to be part of any assistance for the tourism sector.

[Casual Kev]

The feds' bailout has been a huge deal to tourism and related workers who got laid off and land owners running short on money, so while the measures weren't explicitly targeted at the sector the employment patterns certainly makes those in the industry major benefactors. 

[Victoria Watcher]

According to the Greater Victoria Tourism Rescue and Recovery Task Force, projected losses to the local economy over the next 10 to 14 months as a result of COVID-19 could be as high as $1.4 billion. The task force estimates that more than 20,000 people will lose or have lost their jobs.

 

https://www.vicnews....an-130-million/

[Mike K.]

These huge numbers are meant to serve a purpose on multiple fronts.

Make the number large enough and you get the ears of senior governments. Yield a much better result once it’s all said and done, and you can claim the task force’s and other economic initiatives from sister groups kept those job losses from reaching 20,000.

We just don’t know what we’re going to see yet. Might it turn out that Canadians who would otherwise have spent a week in Paris will choose to spend a week in Victoria? Huge unknown. But what is known is word is already getting out about this region’s social problems and the last thing we need right now is for a family of five wondering what else to do in Vancouver forgo the ferry to Victoria and check out Nanaimo and Tofino instead, or just forgo the added expense of travel to the Island altogether.

[A Girl is No one]

Just curious Mike: Where have you heard about “the word is getting out about Victoria’s social problems”?
Tourism industry? Other?

[Victoria Watcher]

we’ll CBC has a national article.

[Mike K.]

There’s that. And there are expats who are seeing their social media feeds from friends and family who live here.

A high school friend recently reached out to me to ask if what he was reading was true, and if I could fill in the gaps. There’s a collective “what the heck is going on in Victoria?” wonderment out there.