February 11, 2021                                                                                                                   

Hammond, Ontario 

For years, Little Ray’s Reptiles has played an important role in our community, not only helping endangered reptiles and animals but also educating and reaching people of all ages. 

For almost a year, due to the pandemic and like many businesses in our region, Little Ray’s has been closed to the public. A closure that has incredible consequences for the health and safety of the animals and reptiles in its care. 

For almost a week, we have seen a real outpouring of generosity from our community to help Ray, his employees, his animals, and his centre. This outpouring of generosity, that has brought our community together for a noble cause, should make the people of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell proud. The people of Eastern Ontario are an indivisible community who, when faced with difficult times, stick together and help each other. 

As such, I am proud to announce that the federal government will provide a second grant to Little Ray’s Reptiles valued at $366,050.00 through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FEDdev). This echoes the first grant awarded last June 2020 to help this centre which for nearly 20 years has made our community proud. 

The current pandemic is a severe blow to our region, our entrepreneurs and our local businesses. I want to recognize the exceptional work of those who, despite everything, continue to support our small businesses by encouraging local buying. 

With the arrival of vaccines, we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the pandemic will quickly be behind us. The generosity and sense of community created during these difficult times and witnessed today will remain forever. 

Francis Drouin,  Federal Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell