Two days sees two federal Ministers visit Niagara area ridings

Two different days in Niagara Region, two separate federal Ministers come to visit the local MPs.

Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey and St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle put on their host hats as they were visited first on August 12 by Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier, also the president of the Treasury Board and then on April 13 by Oakville MP and federal Defence Minister Anita Anand.

When Fortier stopped by Wednesday, their first stop was De La Terre Bakery on Geneva St, right next door to Bittle’s constituency officer.

Port Colborne resident Badawey was immediately impressed. Calling it an “amazing business,” he added the bakery “has continued to adapt and evolve over the last two years with the changing landscape of the pandemic.”

“Jan Campbell-Luxton, the owner) took the time to tell us about the both the challenges and opportunities they have had, highlighting supply chain challenges, and the potential of their space in St. Catharines,” said Badawey.

From there, the trio headed to Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill, also in St. Catharines, who lent them the space for a morning meeting where they would meet up with members of the Niagara business community, looking for feedback on the recent federal Budget 2022.

Said Bittle: “It was great to hear from the Great Niagara Chamber of Commerce about the challenges and opportunities small businesses and non-profits are facing in the year ahead so we can continue to provide federal support.”

For lunch, it was off to Badawey’s Welland turf and restaurant M.T. Bellies, where they would engage with the owners to understand how the restaurant had been impacted by the pandemic. “They expressed their challenges with hiring and retaining staff, as well as on going supply chains issues,” said Badawey.

Finally, Fortier would finish her tour at 13th Street Winery in St. Catharines. “13th Street Winery is yet another great, local business that brings together wine, food, and art. We discussed the importance of the wine industry and the ways they have navigated the changing landscape of the pandemic,” said Badawey.

Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier, left, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle, centre, and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, right, met up with the owners of 12th Street Winery on Tuesday.

When Defence Minister Anita Anand landed yesterday (April 13), they started in Welland at the Black Sheep Coffee Roasters “for a roundtable discussion on housing in the Niagara Region.”

“Badawey added, “We discussed the housing elements of  Budget 2022 and the need for all levels of government to work together on housing.”

Later in the afternoon, the trio connected for a meeting with the YWCA of Niagara where Badawey noted, “We discussed the importance of rent geared to income, and housing as a pillar of overall well-being for community members.”

Added Bittle: “During Budget 2022 we accounced $14 billion to address the Housing Crisis. The Federal Government is ready and committed but we heard that we need all three levels of government working together.”

And finally, to the biggest issue these days, they landed at the St. John the Theologian Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Catharines where they met with members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Niagara “to discuss military, economic, and humanitarian aid. Canada’s support for Ukraine is unwavering.”

Oakville MP Anita Anand, centre (white jacket), along with Welland Mayor Frank Campion, Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey got together at the Black Sheep Coffee Roasters yesterday to discuss housing issues in Niagara Region.