Dear Constituents,
It’s been an honour to serve as your MP for the past year.
I know that these have been difficult times for many Canadians, and that our region faces unique challenges. I’ve appreciated hearing from countless constituents about the issues you are facing, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be your voice in Parliament.
I’m continuing to fight for our fair share of investment and infrastructure funding, and meaningful progress has been made on a number of important projects in the riding. I’m also holding the government to account on their promises to Indigenous communities and advocating for economic development and opportunities in the North.
Since I was first elected, I’ve been lobbying relentlessly for internet solutions for rural and northern communities. Over the past year, I’ve presented a petition to the House of Commons calling for immediate investment in rural internet, and successfully introduced and passed a Committee motion on the subject. I am proud to have advocated for for CRTC approval for Starlink, which has already started providing satellite internet to residents in the Kenora riding.
I was recently appointed the Conservative Party’s Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs. This role enables me to fight for the issues that matter to our region – from healthcare, clean water, and food security to support for small businesses and much-needed investments in infrastructure, transportation, and housing.
And as Conservative Shadow Minister for FedNor, I’ve been fighting for fairness for Northern Ontario businesses, ensuring that economic development funds earmarked for our region are actually creating jobs for local workers.
My Conservative colleagues and I have also been working tirelessly to support Canadians through this pandemic. We fought for and secured changes to the commercial rent relief program, the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), and the wage subsidy to allow more businesses to access support and help more workers keep their jobs.
We also convinced the Liberals to allow CERB recipients to earn up to $1000/month without losing support, and advocated for an increase to the Canada Child Benefit, which the Liberals agreed to in their Fall Economic Statement.
I know that, for many Canadians, the pandemic relief programs offered by the federal Liberal government have not been enough. That’s why I am continuing to fight for better supports for workers and businesses, particularly our tourism operators and remote airlines who have been especially hard-hit.
Over the next year, I will be continuing to fight for the issues that matter to the Kenora riding. I am honoured that you put your trust in me, and I look forward to continuing to be your advocate.
Wishing everybody a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please call me at 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or contact me by email at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Eric Melillo
Member of Parliament
