NWT Corona Virus Update #27 - Update on GNWT Waivers and Refunds

Dear valued members,

Below you will find an update on things related to industry fees managed by the GNWT.  We are continuing with our advocacy work with our partners in the NWT and across the country and are happy to provide these updates from the various GNWT programs. 

Government Departments Waiving Fees for 2020

1. Outfitter and Guide Licenses
   At the time of the initial request, ENR did not have the legislative authority to reduce and/or waive fees under the Wildlife Act & Wildlife Fees Regulations. GNWT has now advanced an amendment to the legislation which was recently approved, enabling the waiving of fees. GNWT ENR has confirmed that for this year, the Department is waiving fees for Outfitter License Renewals and Guide License Renewals. For those individuals or businesses that have already applied and/or paid fees for this year, they are now eligible for a refund. To arrange for a refund they are required to reach out to their respective Regional Office (the office to which they applied for the license) to request the refund. All Regional Offices have now been made aware of this direction and are prepared to provide assistance.
    
2. Lands Leases 
   GNWT has advised that the land lease rent waiver initiative to assist individuals and businesses during COVID, including the regulatory changes required, has been implemented and that any rents paid for land leases that were made after April 1st have now been refunded (or have been applied to future years if preferred by the tenant).  If a member who has a lease has not received any communication on this from the GNWT or had not received their land lease refund, the member should contact Melanie Williams, Director, Land Administration. You can contact her at this email address: Melanie_Williams@gov.nt.ca
    
3. Refunds on Tourism Operator Licenses
   When the Minister met with the membership of NWT Tourism in May, she discussed that one of the ideas to support operators during the pandemic was through refunding the TOL fees for renewals and significant amendments. At that time, she indicated she supported that initiative and shared that GNWT was working on determining exactly how it could make that happen within the legal environment that these legislated requirements exist. GNWT has recently confirmed that as of July 21, amendments to the Tourism Regulations regarding TOL refunds and insurance waivers were completed and came into force. Many refunds have already been processed and ITI intends to have all of the refunds for TOL renewal and significant amendments processed through the Department of Finance by August 12th. These amendments also give tourism operators who are not providing tourism services in 2020-21 the opportunity to waive their insurance requirement and maintain their TOL in good standing until March 31, 2021. These tourism operators will still be able to market their services so they remain visible for future clientele. Tourism operators who are offering tourism services as part of the Northern Staycation are required to have valid insurance.

If you have any questions or comments on the things we are delivering please connect with me via email at executive@spectacularnwt.com or contact me by phone at 867-873-5007, Extension 1005. 

Don't forget - all of our communications to members are located on our member website for ready reference.  You can find those and other information for members at the link below:

https://members.spectacularnwt.com/

Take care, stay safe and stay in touch. 

Cathie Bolstad
CEO, Northwest Territories Tourism