Lifting the need for a PCR, or similar molecular test to enter Canada should help the tourist industry.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo says he’s glad the federal government has finally acted.
“Something I’ve been advocating for quite some time now,” says Melillo.
“I think it’s a very positive step and frankly long overdue to see this redundant testing requirement dropped so I’m happy to see the government moving in the right direction and I’ve been proud of our party’s push to make sure the government moves in that direction.”
Melillo says it’s something he thinks will help the tourism industry in northwestern Ontario.
“From what I’ve been hearing from tourist operators across the riding, they want to get back to more normal operations, being able to welcome their regular visitors, many of them being American. So I think this step is a huge hurdle that’s out of the way, and that’s important.”
The need for the PCR test is scheduled to be lifted on April 1.
Meantime, here is the weekly column from Kenora MP Eric Melillo:
Dear Constituents,
On Tuesday last week, I returned to the House of Commons to watch Ukrainian President Zelenskyy address Canada’s Parliament.
It was a somber moment in the Chamber as President Zelenskyy called on Canada to do more to help repel the Russian invasion.
I was proud to watch our Conservative leader Candice Bergen stand in solidarity with Ukraine and call for our allies to secure Ukraine’s airspace, particularly over humanitarian corridors to allow Ukrainians to flee the war zone.
The same day, Russia announced sanctions against myself and other Canadian Parliamentarians. The majority of Canada’s MPs are now banned from entering Russia
I consider this a badge of honour.
I am not intimidated by these sanctions, which reflect the desperation of a dictator who knows he is off side with the international community. This will not deter me and my Parliamentary colleagues from continuing to defend democracy, the rule of law, and the right of the Ukrainian people to live in peace in their sovereign nation.
Throughout this crisis, my Conservative colleagues and I have supported our government in sanctioning Russia, and urged additional actions to isolate Russia internationally, aid Ukraine in their fight, and assist refugees.
Canada must always stand with Ukraine and with all democratic peoples under threat from tyrants.
Working For You
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please call me at 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or email me at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Eric Melillo
Member of Parliament
(With files from Tim Davidson)
