MONTRÉAL, Quebec, August 26, 2009 — The Government of Canada has made an investment of more than $300 000 to support the Montréal Fashion and Design Festival as part of the Marquee Tourism Events Program.
“This is exciting news for all involved in the Montréal Fashion and Design Festival,” said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry. “The funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government’s recognition of the real impact this and other such marquee tourism events have on the visitor economy.”
“The Government of Canada’s support provides unsurpassed leverage to increase tourism to the Montréal Fashion and Design Festival, which, with its unique programming, is enjoyed by thousands,” said Jean-François Daviau, Co-President of Sensation Mode. “This funding helps us in our goal of generating more interest in our homegrown talent in the international community.”
The Montréal Fashion and Design Festival puts on a range of public activities showcasing fashion to promote the know-how, creativity and diversity of Canadian design talent. Funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program has made it possible to enhance programming with the participation of renowned artists and world-class performers. The new federal funding has also been used to increase the Fashion and Design Festival’s promotional efforts.
The Government of Canada’s Marquee Tourism Events Program is investing $100 million to promote Canadian festivals and events, with the intention of increasing tourism to Canadian destinations. Funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program will enhance the ability of the Montréal Fashion and Design Festival to grow into a premier international event. Events such as this, and others funded under the Program, have a tremendous effect on Canada’s tourist economy.
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 more information, 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.
