MLA Encourages Constituents to Shop Local

MLA Encourages Constituents to Shop Local

MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk

Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Dear friends and neighbours, After many months of uncertainty, our province is gradually and safely beginning to reopen. Throughout this pandemic, many small businesses in our community have stepped up to provide support to their fellow Albertans. As they begin to reopen, I encourage everyone to support our community’s wonderful local businesses and I know so many of you already are.

I want to highlight Kelsey Kueffler and Steven Ken Dalida who own The Venue/Ken’s Catering for their wonderful initiative Feed the Fort. Their efforts are feeding hundreds of wholesome, nutritious meals to those in need in Fort Saskatchewan and area. Thank you to the owners and to those who are supporting them for generously giving back to your community.

I am happy to share that we are introducing new measures to support our hard-hit tourism and hospitality sector. This week, our government announced that hotels and other lodging providers will be able to keep their tourism levy amounts collected between March 1 and December 31, 2020. This measure will increase cash flow for the hospitality sector, which employs 30,000 Albertans, and will put the sector in a better position for recovery as our province gradually relaunches. Travel Alberta is also working on measures to support local tourism organizations across Alberta that will be announced in the weeks to come. This measure comes in addition to a deferral program for tourism levies collected before March 1, 2020. These measures are part of our province’s plan to help Alberta’s struggling tourism industry recover and eventually grow. The three-phase plan will focus on responding with immediate relief for the sector; relaunching and supporting the sector through recovery, and rebuilding the sector into a position for growth.

In closing, I want to acknowledge our grade twelve graduates. Graduation season is upon us and it will look very different this year. I know this isn’t the ending you were expecting but I want you to be encouraged. High school graduation marks the end of your K-12 journey and accomplishments but it also marks the beginning of what lies ahead next. You are our next wave of innovators, entrepreneurs, creators, and strategic thinkers. Your future is bright. They say it takes a village to raise a child. To the families and support systems that have been there by the graduate’s side to help them achieve this milestone thank you for your efforts in shaping our future generations. Congratulations to the graduates of Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville!