Northwestern Ontario’s economy got a boost this past weekend due to a large part of the Manitoba/Ontario border opening. Tourists and cottage owners were finally allowed back into sunset country and bringing with them added revenue to Northwestern Ontario.
MP Eric Melillo talked with Q104’s morning show last Friday about the matter of the border re-opening.
“It's great that we're within the framework of reopening and we're meeting the thresholds were able to start safely reopen and help support our economy and keep things going, so that's definitely great news,” said Melillo
Melillo is urging people that even though the border is open, to continue following public health measures and restrictions as things continue to open.
The Manitoba/Ontario border had been closed for two months before the re-opening last Wednesday
Moving from a provincial border to an international border. Melillo expressed his concern about the federal government not having a vaccination threshold plan for re-opening the Canada/US border.
“What I'd like to see is a federal plan when it comes to the border tied to data and vaccination rate on showing how we can get back to a place where we can safely reopen that border. I'm hoping that's the kind of information we will get, but the bottom line is we need that plan in place because our businesses need that support,” noted Melillo
The federal government is making an announcement regarding Canada/US border in the coming days. The border has been closed to international travel since March 16, 2020