QUEEN’S PARK — The Ontario government is providing over $1.7 million to help 85 businesses adapt to COVID-19 public health guidelines in the Kiiwetinoong and Mushkegowuk–James Bay regions. This investment will support building renovations, the installation of safety equipment and the purchase of personal protective equipment.
“During the ongoing pandemic period, our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with northern business owners, entrepreneurs and workers in the Kiiwetinoong and Mushkegowuk-James Bay regions,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “COVID-19 has fundamentally changed our day-to-day lives and how we do business. That’s why our government is supporting small and medium-sized businesses as we safely and gradually reopen.”
The funding is being delivered through the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) and includes:
- $22,400 for Sioux Lookout Floating Lodges to build an outdoor deck where customers can practise social distancing while waiting for their houseboats to be cleaned and serviced.
- $25,000 for Pakwash Lake Camp to purchase new docking systems, a gas pump hose, a UV sanitation light, cleaning equipment, and outdoor picnic tables to accommodate social distancing.
- $24,500 for Wild Eyes Wilderness Escape to build additions on two cabins and construct a 10 x 20 foot dock to accommodate social distancing.
- $22,637 for Vegan Delights Inc. to restructure its business from a catering-focused business to a manufacturing-focused retailer by retrofitting the kitchen and purchasing kitchen materials, personal protective equipment and cleaning products. The funding will also cover registration costs for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training.
NORP was established as a short-term program to help businesses across northern Ontario adjust to the impacts of COVID-19. Applications were accepted until November 20, 2020, and a total of 1,384 businesses have received funding. A running list of NORP funding recipients is available on the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) website.
On February 11, 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.
Quotes
“To say that the past two summers have been devastating would be an understatement. However, from the beginning of this crisis, the Government of Ontario recognized the uniqueness of the resource-based tourism industry in this area. The Northern Ontario Recovery Program funding allowed our business to undertake a project and we have been able to create a safe, appealing and welcoming holding area for our guests to congregate while waiting for their houseboats to be cleaned and serviced. This would not have happened without the NORP funding so we are very grateful.”
– Steve Forbes
Sioux Lookout Floating Lodges
“We are so grateful to receive the Northern Ontario Recovery Program grant. The funding enabled change in order to survive the 85 per cent loss of customers from our American fisherman market. We moved from a fish camp to a family resort with waterfront upgrades focusing on safety for our guests. Thank you for all the government support. It made a difference for us. We will survive the past two seasons and will come out stronger!”
– Denis Grenier and Kim Budweg
Owners and Operators, Pakwash Lake Camp
“So grateful for the Northern Ontario Recovery Program funding. It allowed us do renovations that were needed to safely accommodate guests at our outpost cabin.”
– Kodi Kahoot
Owner, Wild Eyes Wilderness Escape
“The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected my small business and rapid restructuring was required to remain open. The Northern Ontario Recovery Program funding allowed us to continue serving our community through acquiring certain pieces of equipment, better advertising solutions and a rigorous HACCP certification program. This certification opened the door for five of our unique vegan products to be placed on the retail market and they are currently available in a local grocery store.”
– Lisa-Ann Geddes
Owner, Vegan Delights Inc.
SOURCE: Province of Ontario
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