Madam Speaker, because the topic at hand, of course, relates to our very important tourism industry, I would be remiss if I did not speak to another very recent appointment in the tourism industry. It is that of the new president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, or TIAC, Beth Potter. Beth has done a lot of great work over the years with the tourism industry in Ontario, and I know that her great work will carry over in her advocacy for the industry federally. We welcome her to that post and look forward to working with her to help the tourism industry in its recovery from both COVID and the lack of government response we have seen to the very heavy devastation this industry has faced as a result of the pandemic and some of the measures that have been put in place for it.
Obviously, we are here today to talk about the order in council appointment of Marsha Walden to the role of president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission, or Destination Canada as it is known. I think the context would be a good starting point.
Destination Canada is the marketing arm of the federal government for tourism. It markets our industry internationally, for tourism bound to Canada. Since the spring of last year, borders have essentially been locked down, and now many of our airlines have been directed not to bring flights in from many destinations outside of Canada. It is going to be an incredible challenge for Destination Canada to fulfill its role. Some have argued there needs to be a pivoting of the organization in the short term to domestic markets, but I would argue that it is more important to have a plan from the Trudeau government on how this industry will recover.
The tourism and hospitality industry specifically has been—