Sault businesses receive COVID-19 relief funding
The Ontario government is providing $1.8 million for businesses in Sault Ste. Marie to help them adapt to COVID-19 public health restrictions.
It's part of the province's Northern Ontario Recovery Program, which is designed to reimburse businesses for money spent on pandemic-related expenses.
"Any out-of-pocket expense that an individual business would have had to put forward to ensure that their business could continue to operate under the restrictions that were in place during the pandemic, during the lockdown portions," said Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano, who announced the funding Tuesday morning.
Management at the Marconi Cultural Centre used its $25,000 to convert its restaurant to comply with health restrictions -- just in time for Friday's reopening.
"We've been lucky with being able to be outside and offer our services that way, as well," said owner Trevor Zachary. "So the transition should be all right and now that we're prepared with all of our indoor items and barricades and so forth, we'll be ready for then."
Stephen Alexander, owner of live music venue Loplops Lounge, is receiving just more than $24,000, which will help the business with its COVID transition.
"We're going to be opening up an online bottle shop, focus on our takeout food," said Alexander. "We're going to be adding a patio to the front of Loplops either later this summer or the early fall."
Kumon Sault Ste. Marie also received funding to the tune of $19,000, which is being used on a new HVAC system and some new computers.
"It makes it way more comfortable and safer for students and staff to be working in here," said owner Shelly Skinner-Noel. "The second portion that I got was new computers. We had to go online when COVID hit."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.