SURREY, British Columbia, July 14, 2009 - Mr. Russ Hiebert, Member of Parliament for South Surrey–White Rock–Cloverdale, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced the Government of Canada's investment of more than $345 000 to support the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair.
"Today's announcement is exciting news to all involved in the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair," said Mr. Hiebert. "The funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government's recognition of the real impact that this rodeo and fair has on our local economy."
"The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is incredibly grateful for this funding," said Shannon Claypool, President and Publicity Chair of the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association. "This announcement is incredibly important to the future growth and success of our event, which has a historic and important place in British Columbia. This funding will be used to expand existing programming and develop new attractions to grow our attendance as well as attract international visitors to our event and community."
The five-day family-friendly rodeo and music event takes place annually on the May long weekend and features one of the best-known rodeo competitions in North America. Generations of visitors from across Western Canada and bordering U.S. states have returned year after year to enjoy the event, which showcases the world's top rodeo athletes and concert performances by well-known Canadian country music artists. Numerous attractions are designed to appeal to young families, including midway rides, a Kidz Zone area and a large traditional country parade.
The Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible for the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair to build a new facility to house larger and more frequent attractions; to install a mobile stage to accommodate more acts during the festival; to develop new entertainment acts to target the fast-growing regional South Asian community; and to enhance marketing activities to attract visitors from across the western provinces and bordering U.S. states.
The Government of Canada's Marquee Tourism Events Program is investing $100 million over two years to assist events such as this one across the country. This program will help organizers expand the reach of their events and promote Canada as a must-see tourist destination to visitors from around the globe.
The Marquee Tourism Events Program is one of several tourism-related programs announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan. These programs provide measures to support Canada's economy, stimulate the growth of tourism and contribute to the development of Canada's visitor economy over the long term. They include the following:
- $150 million over two years for national parks and historic sites; and
- $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission for domestic and international marketing.
For more information, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program website. For additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Backgrounder
The Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP)
Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $100 million in funding over two years for marquee tourism events that draw a significant number of tourists to Canada.
Marquee tourism events provide significant cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities for Canadians and attract national and international audiences to all parts of the country. Support for these events contributes to Canada's visitor economy by sustaining or increasing the level of tourism and tourism-related spending that benefits hotels, restaurants and a variety of small and medium-sized businesses.
As a result, the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) will provide funding to support annually recurring, world-class events that generate significant levels of tourism and that aim to attract a significant amount of international media attention to Canada as a tourism destination. Events must be well-established and have a tradition of programming excellence.
The Government of Canada recognizes that tourism is an important driver of economic activity in all regions of Canada and that further expansion of Canada's tourism industry can increase tourism export revenues and provide stimulus to the economy at a critical time.
The program requirements are strict and targeted. All interested applicants for the MTEP must demonstrate how their event will contribute to the objectives of the program to help events deliver enhanced world-class programs and experiences, thereby increasing or sustaining the number of tourists from within and outside Canada. If funding is provided, all applicants will be required to provide annual audited financial statements for the years in which funding is received and the two years following the completion of the proposed project. An independent study examining the economic impact of the funding is also required. Applicants will also be subject to monitoring and independent audits for the funds received.
The economic impact of the tourism industry is significant, representing 2 percent of Canada's gross domestic product, over 662 900 jobs in all regions across the country and $20 billion in government revenues.
Canada's Economic Action Plan is intended to stimulate the economy and invest in our long-term growth. The tourism initiatives in this plan lay out a framework for branding Canada as a tourism destination of choice for domestic and international visitors.
