Government of Canada Invests in Ontario’s LGBTQ2 Communities

News release

Capital Pride receives funding through the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy

August 25, 2019 – Ottawa, ON

Canada is built on shared values of diversity, equity, optimism and personal security and is recognized the world over as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ2 travellers. Some of Canada’s largest Pride events—including Capital Pride—attract millions of local and international visitors each year.

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, announced up to $200,000 in FedDev Ontario funding for Capital Pride through the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF). This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

Capital Pride creates opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the LGBTQ2 community in Canada’s National Capital Region. It does so through the annual Fierté dans la Capitale Pride festival, where it welcomes everyone to celebrate the LGBTQ2 community.

This funding will allow the organization to develop and implement new events and programming to improve LGBTQ2 tourism, as well as the development of market readiness training for front-line tourism staff in the National Capital Region. 

The Canadian Experiences Fund is part of Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. It supports growth in Canada’s LGBTQ2 tourism segment and will help showcase the country as an inclusive destination for LGBTQ2 tourists from Canada and abroad.

Quotes

“Pride reminds me of what a privilege it is to live in Canada, where we accept and celebrate people of all identities. I often say I want Ottawa to be the greenest capital in the world, but I also want it to be the most rainbow-friendly capital in the world and encourage people to visit. Our government has worked to make Canada fairer and safer for the LGBTQ2 community, and celebrating an event like this, where everyone can be themselves and feel proud of who they are, helps us build a more tolerant, more welcoming, stronger and more diverse Ottawa.”
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre

“Canada has a strong reputation around the world as a welcoming and safe destination for LGBTQ2 travellers. By supporting events like Capital Pride and other LGBTQ2 organizations across the country, we are helping them promote inclusiveness and understanding, both in Canada and abroad.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

“We are proud to receive support through the Canadian Experiences Fund. This funding will support our efforts to promote the Capital Region among 2SLGBTQ+ tourists and further enhance and develop both our summer and winter festivals. Pride events in our community and across the country contribute to building a more inclusive society and this funding will allow Capital Pride to increase the reach and impact that festival has.”
– Davy Sabourin, Chairperson, Capital Pride

The City of Ottawa is grateful for the Canadian Experiences Fund’s contributions towards Capital Pride. We are proud of our 2SLGBTQ+ community and the funding will help us to better promote inclusivity, and attract more visitors to the nation’s capital.”
Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa

“Ottawa is a city of festivals but very few have the incredible colour and vibrancy of Capital Pride. As the site of Canada’s first large-scale rally for gay rights almost 50 years ago, Ottawa has an important legacy to maintain, and Capital Pride is a vital part of how we share these stories with the world.”
– Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism

Quick facts

  • Tourism represents more than two percent of Canada’s gross domestic product and supports more than 1.8 million jobs in Canada.

  • The Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), a two-year fund delivered by regional development agencies, helps Canada's tourism sector innovate and grow by providing targeted investments based on regional priorities.

  • The new federal tourism strategy will create more than 54,000 jobs in Canada and increase economic benefits by over 25 percent.

  • LGBTQ2 travellers, on average, vacation four to six times a year, versus one to two for other travellers, spend 33 percent more, and are known to return to places where they had good experiences.

  • Canada already has an established reputation as one of the most LGBTQ2-friendly countries in the world, and its largest cities are routinely recognized worldwide as popular LGBTQ2 destinations.

  • Approved funding is subject to the terms of a contribution agreement.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

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