RUNCIMAN FILES OPPOSITION DAY MOTION ON TOURISM/HOSPITALITY
(Queen’s Park) – Ontario PC House leader Bob Runciman (MPP Leeds-Grenville) yesterday filed an Opposition Day motion to address the challenges facing the province’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Runciman’s motion is scheduled for a full day of debate and a legislative vote next Tuesday, May 16th.
In his motion, the MPP points to a dramatic decline in the number of U.S. visitors, that in 2005 saw the lowest level of border crossings since 1972.
“There’s no doubt factors such as a higher dollar and skyrocketing gas prices are contributing to the decline,” said Runciman. “But the McGuinty Liberals are worsening an already difficult situation through their policies, legislative initiatives, and cutbacks to the Ministry of Tourism budget.”
Runciman’s motion calls on the Liberal government to recognize and address the many challenges facing the tourism and hospitality industries.
Hansard
Mr. Runciman - That the Legislative Assembly calls upon the government,
To recognize that the McGuinty Liberals have cut the Ministry of Tourism budget in both of their last two budgets by a total of $46 million and cut this year's budget by $25 million alone; and
To recognize that a strong Canadian dollar, increased border security, high gas prices and numerous anti-American statements made by prominent Liberals are just some of the many things that are currently hindering the tourism and hospitality industries in Ontario and despite all of these challenges, the McGuinty government has continually undertaken initiatives that further damage these sectors, such as the City of Toronto Act and greater regulation of Ontario's farmer markets; and
To recognize that besides criticizing the federal government, the McGuinty government has not taken any sort of meaningful action or demonstrated any kind of leadership in helping to solve current border issues with the United States or challenges facing the hospitality sector; and
To recognize that in 2005, U.S. border crossings to Ontario reached their lowest level since 1972 and that this decline in U.S. visitation is significant because, in 2004, Americans accounted for 18% of Ontario's total visitors and 26% of the province's visitors' spending; and
To recognize that the total number of person visits to Ontario has steadily declined under the McGuinty government and that, under their watch, these numbers have declined to levels not seen since the early and mid 1990's; and
To recognize that in January 2006, U.S. entries to Ontario fell to their lowest level for the month in 12 years and that in January 2006, Ontario received 40% fewer entries from the U.S. compared to January 2001, the historical peak for the month and 27% fewer compared to January 2003, yet the McGuinty government has continued to cut the Ministry of Tourism budget and proceed with legislative and policy initiatives that further jeopardize the economic well being of the hospitality sector. Addressed to the Premier of Ontario. To be debated on Tuesday, May 16, 2006.
