Province launches tourism and travel small business grant

By Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari

The health and well-being of the residents of Carleton, Ottawa & Ontario is my top priority. Please visit my website for the latest information & updates from the Government of Ontario, as well as information regarding upcoming virtual town hall meetings & public consultations.

Recent updates include:                             

• Ontario continues to expand access to rapid testing for workplaces;
• Ontario supports safe and reliable student transportation;
• Ontario supporting agri-food sector with a new labour strategy;
• Ontario expanding access to dental care and affordable prescription drugs for vulnerable seniors; and
• Ontario continues to expand booking eligibility to more Ontarians
  
  

NEWS FROM QUEEN’S PARK

The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100-million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant.

This grant will support eligible small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG), such as travel agents, hotels, motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts. To qualify, businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline between 2019 and 2020.

As announced in the 2021 Budget, Ontario is investing more than $400 million over the next three years in new initiatives to support tourism, hospitality, culture, sport and recreation sectors. This builds on investments of $225 million announced earlier, bringing the total support for these sectors to more than $625 million since the pandemic began.

Small business owners can use the grant in whatever way makes the most sense for their business. Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021.

For information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: www.ontario.ca/covidsupport.

ONTARIO OUTLINES PLANS TO MAKE PFIZER VACCINE AVAILABLE TO YOUTH AGED 12-17

Beginning the week of May 31, youth in Ontario between 12 and 17 years of age and their family members who have not received a vaccine will be eligible to book an appointment to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, including at special dedicated youth and family clinics throughout the weeks of June 14 and 21.

The province will work with public health units to offer both doses of vaccine to youth aged 12 to 17 by the end of August, in collaboration with school boards and other partners. The rollout will be informed by the work of the Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Table and will provide access to multiple channels to support vaccinating this group, including mass vaccination clinics, community or school pop-ups, and pharmacies.

OFFICE NOTICE:

In an effort to contain the COVID-19 virus, our Constituency Office went virtual on March 16, 2020. Our location will remain closed until further notice. We are still open & working during regular office hours to answer your calls & emails. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. It’s why I’m here. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

– Goldie
Your voice at Queen’s Park