Speaker, I’d like to thank the member from Elgin–Middlesex–London for his question and for the conversation we have around the importance and the impact that tourism has not only in his community but, really, in all of our communities.

Not only is the tourism sector rebounding; it’s becoming stronger than ever. Attractions, sporting events and festivals are up and running again. Hotels and restaurants are full and doing great business. There are examples of this across the province.

Fallsview Casino just opened a new concert theatre last week—with the headliner, Billy Joel. I believe a few members here were at the concert, and I heard it was fantastic.

The Niagara Parks Commission expects a very busy 2023, and they’re going to be hiring 350 new people.

Toronto’s auto show was a huge success, and I know our Minister of Economic Development has been a big leader in that.

Speaker, a lot of great things are happening in tourism. We can’t keep looking in the rear-view mirror. The tourism industry is not doing that. They’re looking forward. A bunch of smart people—

Mr. Speaker, I regularly meet with tourism operators by going to their locations and learning more about their businesses and the struggles that they’ve had, but more importantly, what they’re doing to take themselves to the next level. And that’s exactly what they’re doing. They’re growing faster and stronger than ever.

We’ve helped them through initiatives in sport hosting, like the 2023 Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew, which was a huge economic boost to that community.

The Tim Hortons Brier, a 10-day stint, is well under way in London. It will have a massive impact on that economy. Make sure you buy a couple of tickets.

Thunder Bay hotel occupancy is up from 2019.

The Minister of Education’s announcement about helping people coming through high school and finding a better job and an opportunity for themselves—a lot of them will land in the tourism industry. There are great opportunities and great careers in tourism, and I’m glad there’s going to be a mesh going on between high school—