Government of Canada supports tourism in Durham and Eastern Ontario
News release
Nine organizations expand and enhance experiences to attract more visitors
August 22, 2024 – Whitby, Ontario
The Durham Region is home to a vivid arts scene, rich historical sites, beautiful waterfronts, and vibrant festivals and events. The region, and neighboring communities in Eastern Ontario, are a stunning four-season destination, attracting visitors with opportunities for adventure and relaxation.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Whitby, visited the Whitby waterfront and learned about the Town of Whitby’s revitalization plan.
PS Turnbull announced an investment of over $600,000 for four organizations across Durham Region, through the Tourism Growth Program, that are enhancing their offerings to attract new visitors to the region. This is part of a total investment of over $1.1 million for nine projects in Durham Region and Eastern Ontario.
As part of this investment, $200,000 will support the Town of Whitby’s revitalization project around Rowe House, which features new space for outdoor water sports, recreation and placemaking areas overlooking the harbour, a rest stop for cyclists, public art, and a new visitor information hub with a hop-on-hop-off food and lights tour. These key upgrades aim to attract out-of-region, year-round visitors, which will lead to important spillover benefits for the region’s hospitality sector and main street businesses.
Further information on these projects funded through the Tourism Growth Program can be found in the backgrounder.
The Government of Canada is investing in tourism projects in the region to support new products and experiences that will support southern Ontario’s tourism economy for generations to come.
Quotes
“The Durham Region and Eastern Ontario are rich with charming towns, unique arts and culture experiences and stunning natural landscapes that are enjoyed by the many tourists who visit each year. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting tourism projects, including the nine highlighted today, which will expand their tourism offerings and cement the Durham Region and Eastern Ontario as a destination of choice.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Southern Ontario’s tourism sector is an incredibly important economic driver and provides jobs for Canadians from all walks of life. Through the Tourism Growth Program, the Government of Canada is supporting local municipalities like the Town of Whitby. As we continue to invest in the sector, we will help bring more domestic and international visitors to the region to discover all that it has to offer.”
- The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism
“Enhancing Whitby’s waterfront is a key priority for our community and myself as Whitby’s Member of Parliament. Whether drawing visitors to our town or being enjoyed by residents, the recreational trails, our marina, boat launch, parks, and historic sites, all add value to what our waterfront has to offer. The support I announced today marks another step forward in realizing the community’s vision for a more vibrant waterfront. It gives me great pleasure to deliver another major federal investment to our community.”
- Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Whitby
“The Tourism Growth Program recognizes the important impact that tourism has on communities, small and large, and ensures that tourism operators and organizations, like the Springtide festival in Uxbridge, are recognized for its support of our local musicians, artists and businesses. Programs like these, contribute to our economic growth and strengthen our region’s tourism industry, and bring residents together in celebrating community and music.”
- Jennifer O'Connell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs (Cybersecurity) and Member of Parliament for Pickering–Uxbridge
“Thank you to FedDev Ontario for supporting our work to develop Whitby’s waterfront into a thriving tourism destination that diversifies the local and regional economy and provides residents and visitors with cultural opportunities and active outdoor experiences. Enhancement of the waterfront is one of the key action items in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan and we are grateful for this investment in building our tourism capacity.”
- Her Worship Elizabeth Roy, Mayor of Whitby
Quick facts
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Incorporated in 1854, the Corporation of the Town of Whitby is located in the Regional Municipality of Durham and is known for its built and natural heritage, including the waterfront, parks, trails and greenspaces, historic downtowns and productive agricultural areas.
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Canada’s regional development agencies are delivering the $108-million Tourism Growth Program, over three years, to support businesses and organizations to help diversify regional economies. These investments in tourism products and experiences will encourage visitation to and within Canada. In southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario is delivering over $30 million through the program.
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The second application intake for the Tourism Growth Program in southern Ontario is now open until September 17, 2024. Tourism businesses can visit the Tourism Growth Program in southern Ontario page to see if they are eligible and submit an application.
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Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $415 million in nearly 1,450 tourism-related businesses and organizations, estimated to have supported over 24,500 jobs.
Associated links
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
FedDev Ontario Media Relations
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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