Living the Dream

As the Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie Member of Parliament, Tony Baldinelli is living out his childhood dream.

“I knew I wanted to be in politics from the time I first visited the incredibly beautiful Centre Block building in Ottawa, when I was a student in Grade 6 at Notre Dame School and we visited Parliament Hill. Now, I’m so fortunate to be living my dream!”

For Tony Baldinelli, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie, going to work every day is great because he loves what he does. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Tony attended McMaster University after graduating high school where he studied political science.

“I officially became a member of the Conservative Party in 1984 with my first vote for the late Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. After graduating with my degree, I was so fortunate to get the opportunity to work with the Honourable Rob Nicholson, MP from 1988-1993 as his Legislative Assistant in Ottawa.

Politics are politics -- In 1995, Tony moved to Queen’s Park, where he served as Legislative Assistant to the Honourable Marilyn Mushinski, who was then Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.

After serving as a Public Relations, Public Affairs and Community Relations specialist with Hill and Knowlton Strategies in Toronto for five years, Tony returned home to Niagara Falls in 2001. From that time, he served as the Senior Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Relations for The Niagara Parks Commission, promoting everything Niagara for 18 years.

Following the announcement that Mr. Nicholson would be retiring from politics after proudly serving for over 24 years, Tony successfully ran in the next federal election campaign as the Conservative candidate. On October 21, 2019, Tony was elected Member of Parliament for his hometown riding of Niagara Falls. In the following federal election on September 20, 2021, Tony was successfully re-elected.

When asked what he likes best about the job, Tony answered quickly, “Being in the riding and at events with constituents.” He goes on to say, “I love hearing their issues, stories, and getting to know them.”

Tony loves representing Niagara because it has so much to offer.

“Niagara is filled with experiential tourism opportunities – the agriculture we have is incredible and this pours into the restaurants, and the wine industry – where people are literally immersed in the experience of farm-to-table in every respect.”

In summing up what Niagara is to him, Tony eloquently says, “It’s an iconic destination! We are the number one leisure tourism destination in all of Canada and we are in a great strategic position to accommodate worldwide travel and tourism.”

But it’s not just about Niagara Falls.

In addition to Niagara Falls, Tony also ranks the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake as one of Niagara’s premier spots to take in. “It’s one of the foremost cultural institutions in our country. The quality of theater offered there is excellent. And from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie, we have the greatest concentration of 1812 war sites anywhere.”

Tony continues to promote Niagara and advocate on behalf of his constituents as he navigates his way between Ottawa and his home here in the city.