NIAGARA FALLS, ON - Tony Baldinelli, Member of Parliament for the riding of Niagara Falls, has been appointed to the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet by newly elected Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole. Mr. Baldinelli will serve as Special Advisor to the Leader on Tourism Recovery.
“Tourism is a critically important economic sector in Canada, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are we experiencing the economic hardships brought about by the pandemic in my community of Niagara, but they are also being felt and are impacting tourism and communities across the country,” said Baldinelli.
“Conservatives have long been advocating for a tourism recovery plan from the federal government throughout this pandemic. So far, we have been disappointed by the lack of response from the Trudeau Government to support this important sector, which has been hit so hard,” he added.
Baldinelli understands tourism well. Prior to being elected as Member of Parliament for the riding of Niagara Falls, he spent over 18 years as Senior Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Relations for The Niagara Parks Commission, an agency of the Ontario government, dedicated to the management, preservation and promotion of those lands located all along the Niagara River corridor, including the iconic Niagara Falls. In his role, Baldinelli became very familiar with the importance and role tourism plays as an engine of economic growth, not only in his community of Niagara, but and across the country.
“COVID-19 impacted tourism immediately. It hit this sector of our economy hard and it will take the longest to recover. The federal government has a role to play in helping tourism recover, and I am honoured to be named to this portfolio as a member of the Official Opposition,” said Baldinelli.
“I look forward to working with tourism stakeholders from across our great country, as well as with our new Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, and my parliamentary colleagues, towards achieving tourism recovery in Canada in response to COVID-19,” he concluded.
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