Dear editor:

Greetings! To readers, do you know who your current MP for the Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake riding is? Or, where he is?

He has been in office since 2019, but I have rarely seen any media report about a public appearance, let alone any public statement/report/comment/idea.

Often in the past, though not recently, in this local news source, I have seen a small square notice of his existence with the standard slogan along the line, “Proud to represent you in Ottawa.”

Fine, but MP is not an honorary position: MPs are actually expected to do something in representing their constituents in Parliament.

The above suggests to me that our representative is more like a seat warmer backbencher and rote vote — however Pierre Poilievre tells him to.

Once every three to four months, I receive a one-sheet flyer by mail from our MP with a large photo and usually the same slogan quoted above, together with a few rote, boilerplate CPC talking points/slogans, but no personal comments by our MP, and a couple of meaningless “survey questions.”

So, his name is Tony Baldinelli, but, in light of the above, I wonder whether “Tory (rather than Tony) Invisibilitti” might not be a more appropriate appellation.

He was elected Oct. 10, 2019. Six years of service in Parliament are required to qualify for a Parliamentary pension — so, apparently, he will not qualify if he is not re-elected in the current election.

I will leave to the readers the relevance of this point. But, I suggest all readers consider the record, or lack thereof, in deciding on your vote in the current election campaign.

Rick Kirby
NOTL