QUÉBEC, Quebec, December 4, 2009 — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of more than $1.4 million to support the Québec Winter Carnival as part of the Marquee Tourism Events Program.
“This is exciting news for everyone involved in the Québec Winter Carnival,” said Minister Verner. “The funding from our government’s Marquee Tourism Events Program will help bolster tourism, create jobs and stimulate the local economy.”
Funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program will allow the Carnival to create new and enhanced programming, including the Ice Gardens, the Evening Parades, the Ice Palace and a 122‑metre grand slide. Funds will also assist in further promoting the festival to visitors outside Quebec and Canada, expanding its international reach.
“The funding awarded to this event will allow us to offer high-quality diverse and interactive activities that will appeal to carnival-lovers from around the world,” added André Roy, President of the Québec Winter Carnival.
The Government of Canada has also granted the Carnival more than $158 000 in funding under the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture or that celebrate the history and heritage of a region.
For 55 years, the Québec Winter Carnival has been a major winter celebration for families and the general public. Over 300 activities and shows are featured, including snow sculpture events, outdoor dance parties, sleigh races and annual parades such as the one with the iconic Bonhomme Carnaval.
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.
Established marquee tourism events interested in applying for funding under the program are encouraged to submit their proposals to Industry Canada on or before January 8, 2010. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program website.
Visit the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website to find information on all of its programs.
For more information, contact:
Lynn Meahan
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 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.
All interested applicants for the Marquee Tourism Events Program 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.
