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Published October 12, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Tony Baldinelli, left, was chosen as the Conservative Shadow Minister for Tourism by leader Pierre Poilievre today at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
When federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre announced his shadow cabinet today (October 12), a Niagara MP made the cut.
Niagara Falls MP Tony Baldinelli was chosen as the Shadow Minister (official opposition critic) for Tourism.
In a statement, Baldinelli, who was very vocal in his opposition of the ArriveCAN app for incoming tourists, said his time as Special Advisor on Tourism Recovery and 18 years with The Niagara Parks Commission will make his new position an easy transition.
“Before COVID, the travel and tourism sector represented a $105 billion industry, accounting for two per cent of Canada’s overall GDP,” noted Baldinelli, who also covers Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie in his riding.
“One out of every 11 jobs in Canada were directly linked to those who take part in the sharing of our incredible Canadian tourism experiences. These include travel services, accommodation, recreation and entertainment, transportation and food and beverage services.”
However, he added when COVID first hit in March 2020, the Canadian travel and tourism industry “was hit first, it was hit the hardest, and as we expected, it will take the longest to recover.”
He continued to say that “reckless” federal Liberal policies, such as the ArriveCan app, “only further delayed the tourism recovery we so badly needed and hoped for, by deterring international visitation to Canada this past summer, all while hurting Canada’s international reputation as a globally renowned tourism destination.”
He added that, according to the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, full tourism recovery is not expected to be achieved in Canada, until the end of 2025.
“There is a lot of work ahead and I look forward to meeting with local and national travel and tourism stakeholders on this important file, to find creative and innovative ideas to support tourism recovery in Niagara and across Canada.”
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