Honourable senators, this summer is tough for Quebec, especially for its weakened tourism industry, which needs to figure out how to adapt its operations to the COVID-19 era.

One of the lessons we’ve learned from this pandemic is the importance of buying local, whether it’s face masks or tourism. We’re so quick to fly off to exotic destinations that we too often overlook the wonders in our own backyards. I journeyed 1,313 kilometres on a voyage of discovery along the legendary North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, all the way to Natashquan, birthplace of our national poet, Gilles Vigneault.

Today I want to pay tribute to the North Shore’s tourism industry, which bent over backwards to welcome Montrealers, like myself, who were coming from the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak. Everywhere I went, I was met with kindness and all the necessary safety precautions, such as masks, Plexiglas and social distancing floor stickers. Still, reopening involves a mountain of work for outdoor guides, restaurants, hotels, and bed and breakfasts, which have to disinfect each room from top to bottom after every guest. As a result, occupancy is cut in half.

It’s clear that these places won’t make much money this summer. Of course, there are a few lineups, some museums are closed, and some national parks have reduced their hours, but the river and its shoreline are so majestic that it’s easy to forget minor inconveniences.

I’m grateful for that welcome because the North Shore was largely untouched by COVID-19, with only 126 cases. While the massive influx of tourists obviously brings economic benefits, tourists are also potential vectors of the coronavirus. If residents of the North Shore were worried, they hid it well. There were problems in other places, like the Gaspé, where tourists didn’t always behave respectfully and were illegally camping anywhere they could. That was most unfortunate.

Unlike what we’re seeing in the regions, tourism in Montreal and Quebec City is hurting badly because Quebecers are fleeing the cities and international tourism has collapsed. Montreal usually welcomes about 11 million tourists in the summertime, but this year it expects to welcome only one million. Conventions, festivals and sporting events have been cancelled. The downtown is empty and businesses are devastated. How much longer will they be able to hold on? Over 60% of business owners think they will have to close their doors by Christmas if support measures and physical distancing rules remain the same.

I’d like to close by talking about a step forward that I’ve been hoping for for a long time: It is now mandatory to wear a face mask in enclosed public spaces and on public transit across Quebec. It is high time that happened given our unfortunate record on COVID-19 victims. Another sign of hope is that three-quarters of Quebecers support wearing a mask. Let’s hope for widespread compliance. Thank you.