The Yukon government is introducing two new programs to act as safety nets to tide tourism-based businesses over the next few months of the pandemic.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jeanie McLean announced the Tourism Non-Accommodation Sector Supplement and the Culture and Tourism Non-profit Sector Supplement during a media conference this morning.

The new programs are offering $1.3 million in funding.

The money is coming from a $15-million fund set aside by the government to support tourism-based businesses over the next three years.

The industry has been decimated by the pandemic and travel restrictions.

Four million dollars have been earmarked to be spent this fiscal year.

“The tourism sector continues to be hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19, and the closure of the B.C.-territory bubble is a reminder that the pandemic is not over yet,” McLean said.

“Our government recognizes that ongoing relief supports are essential and our priority is to ensure Yukon businesses and organizations survive and are in a position to rebound when the time is right.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders, Yukon First Nations governments, communities, the Government of Canada and other partners in a concerted effort to support this sector.”

McLean said she believed the industry could rebound from the disastrous effect of COVID-19, but said no one could predict when that might happen.

“To help ensure visitor-dependent businesses survive through winter 2020-21, $1 million is available through the Tourism Non- Accommodation Sector Supplement,” McLean said.

“Yukon tourism operators and food and beverage businesses that rely on visitors for at least 60 per cent of their revenues and have maximized their eligibility in the Yukon Business Relief Program and CanNor’s Northern Business Relief Fund will be able to apply for support to break even.

“A total of $300,000 is allocated for the Culture and Tourism Non-Profit Sector Supplement to provide support to culture and tourism non- profit organizations who have suffered revenue losses related to declines in tourism visitation,” McLean added.

Businesses such as bars and restaurants can receive up to $20,000 a month to a total of $60,000 under the Non-Accommodation program.

Under existing programs, businesses have been eligible for up to $100,000 in funding. The new funds are on top of that.

Non-profit organizations can receive up to $20,000 in funding.

Business that have already tapped into the existing programs, such as the Yukon Business Relief Program, should be able to transit directly into the new programs, McLean said.

Organizations projecting year-end deficits in excess of 10 per cent of their overall operating budget will be eligible to apply. This program is to be administered by a third party organization.

“Both of these relief programs are based on needs assessments and stem from information gathered through surveying the tourism and the non-profit sectors and through engaging with industry partners,” the minister said.

“It’s about breaking even,” McLean added.

“These programs are meant as a safety system. It will help them survive this winter. We are not through this yet.”

McLean said she believes about 60 businesses around the Yukon could be eligible to use the new programs.