It appears the hands of a Thunder Bay MPP are all but tied now that the Finlandia Association is selling its assets in the face of a $1-million debt.
Michael Gravelle tells us he tried to help before Wednesday night’s vote, but that decision has set the building’s future in motion.
“Don’t think there’s any government agency that can help in this case. If there’s anything I can do as an MPP, I’ll be open to any suggestion,” says Gravelle.
He adds he tried to help when the bank did not want to move forward with an application to receive federal assistance.
“So I did get directly involved in putting a plea to the financial institution to reconsider that application. That wasn’t successful, obviously,” points out the MPP.
Gravelle further points out he kept reaching out to other government officials. He says he’s heartbroken, adding this won’t just affect people locally, it’ll reach beyond this city.
“I think it will reach beyond Thunder Bay, I mean this is a world famous organization, and site. It’s the spot people bring others to when coming to Thunder Bay,” he says.

