My question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. My home communities of Hastings–Lennox and Addington have very much to offer in the way of hospitality and tourism. Across the vast region of eastern Ontario, there are thousands of lakes, rivers, trees and wildlife that represent the very best of the great outdoors here in Ontario. With summer vacation time fast approaching, many local businesses in my communities are eager to benefit from visitors enjoying our hospitality while they contribute to our local economy.

Tourism is vital to Ontario’s economy and our government must do all that we can to encourage more people to visit our cities, towns and our rural communities across the province.

Speaker, will the minister please explain what our government is doing to encourage and promote tourism all across Ontario?

However, it is vital that our government continues to address the challenges that many tourism-related businesses face. The tourism sector contributes significantly to Ontario’s overall economy and benefits many other industries in the process. The importance of tourism in Ontario simply cannot be understated.

Speaker, will the minister please elaborate on the long-term outlook for the tourism sector here in Ontario?

I’d like to thank the member representing Hastings–Lennox and Addington for his question and, more importantly, telling us earlier today about some of the events and festivals that are going on in your community. That’s what tourism is all about, sir. You’ve got it, and your community is doing it right.

From the buzz of the big city and the bright lights to the stars up north, our government is providing support for tourism across the brand. This year, we are providing $1.3 million through the local regional tourism organizations that will help promote Hastings–Lennox and Addington as a tourism destination. Our government is delighted to spread the news about experiences like agri-tourism and the nature trails and make the member’s community an attraction and destination for all people, because you have a lot to offer.

We’re excited about where tourism is going, and I have more in the supplementary for you.

From my meetings across the province, and specifically in just the last couple of weeks in the Niagara region, I met with Niagara Parks, casinos, hoteliers, the great wineries and the opportunities there—they are ready to go. They aren’t rebounding; they’re there, Mr. Speaker. We are happy to support them, to drive them even further in their destination of what they’re trying to accomplish in being a tourist destination, maybe being the best tourist destination in this country.