Ontario lifts restrictions, reopens short-term rentals starting today

A pair of chairs sit on a dock at a cottage in Ontario's Muskoka region. Mark Spowart

By The Canadian Press

Posted June 4, 2020 1:43 pm.

Last Updated June 5, 2020 5:41 am.

Ontario is lifting restrictions on short-term rentals today.

Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli says the facilities were able to resume operations as of 12:01 a.m.

Lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and bed-and-breakfast rentals are all included in the reopening.

Ontario’s tourism minister said Thursday the sector had been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lisa MacLeod pledged more government support but also urged Ontarians to support local businesses and take staycations.

She says the province may not see its visitor levels return to 2019 levels until 2024.

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