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Local MP Calls For More Help For Small Businesses

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Kenora MP Eric Melillo says the Conservatives continue to work with the federal government to secure more assistance for struggling small business owners impacted by COVID-19.

He says some progress has been made but not enough is being done.

“We haven’t seen any movement on yet, a lot of smaller businesses who don’t actually have business accounts. They just go through personal chequing accounts at the bank and that alone should not disqualify them from support.”

Melillo says he would like to see immediate movement to support those who fall in this category.

“Especially for sole proprietors. People that might not be able to utilize the wage subsidy because they are not paying wages. A lot of them don’t have any support available to them at all. And it’s only because of the fact that they are an individual who technically does not use a business account.”

The Conservative member is pleased the government has made some extensions to the wage subsidy program, which he says will help a lot of our seasonal businesses.

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Kenora MP Promotes Internet Policy

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The Federal Conservatives have released a rural Internet policy.

Kenora MP Eric Melillo says we know all too well that there are significant gaps in our region, especially now during the coronavirus crisis.

“But given the fact that people are working from home, people are taking classes from home, or accessing government services. Right now during the COVID-19 pandemic, it just underscores how necessary it is to have reliable Internet connections.”

The Conservative Opposition’s Rural Internet Caucus policy document outlines how the government can improve Internet access in rural and remote regions and includes 14 recommendations.

Melillo says the government hasn’t taken a lot of action on the issue and he is hoping they take the recommendations seriously.

He calls them “Tangible and achievable measures that will help hundreds of Canadians.”

They include:

1. Alleviate short-term bandwidth shortages by requesting that ISP’s or other entities deploy portable Cell on Wheels in communities without Internet.
2. Develop a Canadian Broadband Strategy for rural Internet.
3. Create a Local Connectivity Infrastructure Fund.
4. Stop Big Telecom’s from profiting off of small business government funds.
5. Mandate transparency and accountability.
6. Require simple consumer contracts.
7. Implement a Municipal Ownership Model.
8. Changes to Spectrum Auctioning.
9. Addressing infrastructure concerns.
10. Provide industry-specific relief in light of COVID-19.
11. Extend deadlines for CRTC applications
12. Protect consumers and competition against predatory regional pricing.
13. Incentivize rural build outs through licensing.
14. Government investment according to an improved, results-oriented framework.

Conservative Eric Melillo also has presented the government with a petition that has been signed by hundreds of Canadians calling for action.

To hear more, visit the Audio link below.

 

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Audio: Kenora MP Upset With Firearms Ban

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Kenora MP Eric Melillo says the federal government should be more focused on helping seniors and others impacted by COVID-19 and not his gun control agenda.

Melillo and his Conservative party are voicing their displeasure with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement Friday on immediately placing a ban on 1,500 models of certain assault-style firearms.

Melillo says this should also be a time of healing and reflection for the people of Nova Scotia, stressing now is not the time to act rashly.

“Frankly I’m disappointed that the Prime Minister is using that horrific event as a platform to advance his agenda. Myself and the Conservative caucus have been calling for a number of ways that we can combat gun crime. We’ve suggested more support for the Anti-Gang Unit, youth prevention, increased mental health support.”

He stresses it does nothing to stop criminals who obtain their guns illegally.

“We don’t believe that an arbitrary ban will be effective because the evidence tells us it won’t. It tells us it will be costly and it will only target the law abiding firearms owners. We know in principle that this is going to be ineffective.”

He stresses MP’s should have an opportunity to debate the ban.

“Even more disheartened that the government is pushing this forward with an ‘Order of Council’, instead of bringing it forward to Parliament for debate. I think we will have plenty of time to debate something like this after we come out of COVID-19.”

Melillo stresses “This minority government is choosing to ram this through without proper scrutiny and without the ability of Parliamentarians to do their job and make recommendations.”

To hear more, visit the Audio link below.

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Parliament To Resume For More COVID-19 Legislation

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The Prime Minister says Parliament will resume in a reduced state in the coming days to pass critical COVID-19 legislation.

Justin Trudeau says they also need to look into convening parliament virtually.

“Parliamentarians from across the country who were elected to do their jobs of representing their citizens in normal times and in times of crisis can make themselves heard. It can’t be just about folks who have proximity to Parliament or the ability to get here,” Trudeau said.

The Conservatives are pushing for a smaller selection of MPs to oversee government decisions.

Trudeau also faced questions about whether shipments of personal protective equipment are being stopped at the Canadian border by US government officials. Trudeau said talks are continuing between the two sides and they expect shipments to arrive in Canada.

“We continue to have productive and positive talks with the United States. Emphasizing for them that health care supplies and workers across the border are very much a two-way street and we need to continue to be there for each other because it is in our collective interest,” Trudeau said.

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Conservatives Call For Charity Support

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The federal Conservatives want to see help for local charities and churches during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outgoing leader Andrew Scheer says charities are hurting for donations when many are struggling financially.

“While the need for their services only continues to increase, the donations that these groups rely on have dramatically declined. Churches haven’t been able to hold weekly services, in-person fundraisers and events have been cancelled,” Scheer said.

The Conservatives want the government to increase the charitable donation tax credit for 2020 and remove the capital gains tax on charitable donations.

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Potential Candidates For Conservative Leadership

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The federal Conservative leadership race is officially underway to replace Andrew Scheer.

Party members will select a new leader on June 27th.

Numerous names are being tossed around as potential candidates.

Mount Allison University Canadian Politics professor Mario Levesque says the two strongest candidates are Rona Ambrose and John Baird.

However, Levesque says Ambrose has kind of indicated that she’s not interested in the job, while Baird has been quiet since leaving politics.

Levesque says Ottawa area MP Pierre Pollievre may be young and dynamic but he doesn’t think he’s ready.

He adds Jean Charest might be a former Conservative leader and a Quebec Liberal premier but adds any comeback he’s planning would go nowhere.

Levesque says a relatively unknown Quebec-born businessman named Bryan Brulotte has just tossed his hat into the ring.

“He used to help out with Peter McKay and his former leadership bid years ago. So, Bryan’s in there now which maybe is an indication that Peter McKay is not in there. But Peter McKay always remains an outsider. He’s got a lot of baggage he has to deal with as well.”

Levesque adds MacKay is well-known in Atlantic Canada but doubts if western Conservatives would accept him.

Currently dominated by men, Levesque hopes more women will enter the race to see what kind of new ideas can be brought forward.

John Baird is also being considered as a potential candidate.

(Photo: Mario Levesque)

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Kenora MP Preparing For New Sitting Of Parliament

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Kenora MP Eric Melillo is anxious to return to Parliament Hill for a new sitting.

The next session resumes in late January.

The Conservative member says he has his eyes on a few priorities for the new year.

“I’m going to be working very closely with both the provincial and federal government to ensure that we have a seat at the table and understanding that our riding priorities have to be top of mind. As well, I’ve been working with the Minister of Culture on developing a bill that might be able to help make life a little more accessible for people with disabilities.”

Melillo was able to speak twice before the House rose; once to address the mercury poisoning situation in Grassy Narrows and another on rural internet connectivity.

Melillo adds he’s been having great conversations with members of all parities in the House and he will keep on advocating for the opportunities that are available in the north.

 

 

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Kenora MP Comments On Scheer Resignation

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Kenora Conservative MP Eric Melillo has issued a short statement on the resignation of party leader Andrew Scheer.

Melillo says Scheer has made a decision to put his family first and that he respects his decision.

He also thanked Scheer for his service to Canadians and the party.

Melillo says their goal remains on “delivering positive change for Canadians and holding this government to account.”

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Regional Reaction To Throne Speech

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The Conservatives are not happy with the federal Liberals Speech from the Throne.

Cheryl Gallant is the critic for Northern Ontario and says there is not a single mention of helping those who work in the forestry or mining industries.

Kenora MP Eric Melillo says the speech promises to protect 25% of Canada’s forest land, which will make life more difficult for people who live in the north.

He says a properly managed forest is not only good for the economy, but also for the environment as well.

Melillo says the government has to strike a balance.

 

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Kenora Candidate: Eric Melillo

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CKDR News continues to look at the candidates in the Kenora riding running in the Federal election.

Today the focus is on Conservative candidate Eric Melillo.

He says contrary to popular opinion, his party does have a Green Energy plan.

“I think climate change is an urgent threat here. It requires a global solution.”

Melillo states “we’re going to work on developing a green technology here in Canada, to support our economy and lower emissions on a global scale.”

He is also taking aim at Liberal candidate Bob Nault over his handling of the twinning of Highway 17 between Kenora and the Ontario/Manitoba boundary.

Melillo says “For three years we had a provincial, federal and Liberal government and Bob Nault sat silent while the province pulled the funding away from our region and delayed this project. So, for all his years of experience, that supposedly matters, it didn’t seem to matter because we have gotten zero kilometres constructed.”

He notes “I think it’s time for a new generation of leadership who is going to prioritize investments here in our region and also work to put more money in your pocket. Help you get ahead, balance the budget for future generations.”

The Kenora resident is the youngest candidate in riding and he recently received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

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