LÉVIS, Quebec, July 24, 2009 — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Minister of National Revenue, today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of close to $210 000 to support the Festivent Ville de Lévis as part of the Marquee Tourism Events Program.
“This is exciting news for everyone involved in the Festivent Ville de Lévis,” said Mr. Gourde. “The funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government’s recognition of the real impact Festivent and other such marquee events have on the visitor economy.”
“Thanks to the Government of Canada and to the financial contribution received from the Marquee Tourism Events Program, Festivent Ville de Lévis, the oldest balloon festival in Canada, is happy to announce that two major international shows, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Our Lady Peace, and seven equally spectacular special shape balloons, will be coming to Lévis,” said Yannick Gagnon, President of Festivent inc.
Each year, Festivent draws people from across the province of Quebec and beyond. Its programming includes numerous concerts by well-known artists as well as concerts for children. There are amusement rides and an inflatable games area for families, and everyone can enjoy the hot air balloon launches in the mornings and evenings.
Funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program will allow Festivent to improve both its hot air balloon and musical programming, with the goal of broadening interest from other markets in Quebec and the United States. The new funding will also be used to increase promotional efforts and enhance media relations.
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 or the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Laryssa Waler
A/Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
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.
