Kenora MP Eric Melillo is sponsoring a petition calling for supports for the region’s tourism industry.
The petition was created by Temple Bay Lodge owner Jeff Moreau and calls on the government to provide “direct financial relief to tourism operators.”
The sector has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the Canada/U.S. border.
Melillo says the Liberal government has forgotten about Northern Ontario in their pandemic response and he’s urging everyone to sign the petition.
The petition notes that many tourism operations may not be able to operate until the border closure is lifted, and that current government relief programs for businesses aren’t optimized for seasonal industries.
Melillo says the closure of local operations would be a huge blow to the economy of Northern Ontario.
The Conservative has been calling for grants for operators since the beginning of the crisis.
Melillo has been writing multi-partisan letters in addition to private and public lobbying.
The petition can be signed at https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2737
If we want the government to listen, everyday Canadians need to speak up.
If you haven't yet signed this petition calling for support to local tourism operators, please sign here today:https://t.co/i0ddxOyhUIhttps://t.co/I1xItdUHqs
— Eric Melillo (@Eric_Melillo) August 17, 2020