David announces over $60,000 for local festivals

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

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Ontario Government Strengthens Local Tourism and Job Creation

Ontario is supporting festivals and events in Sault Ste. Marie that will draw tourists, create jobs and grow the local economy, announced David Orazietti MPP today.

“Our government is proud to support festivals and events because they contribute to the economy and create jobs right here in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Orazietti. “The Celebrate Ontario program puts the spotlight on our region, highlighting our traditions for residents and tourists to enjoy and discover.”

Through the Celebrate Ontario 2015 program, the province is helping local festivals and events in Sault Ste. Marie that celebrate the region’s diversity, heritage and culture, while also enhancing visitor experiences and increasing attendance, those festivals receiving funding include:

• $47,250 for the Algoma Fall Festival,
• $13,338 for the Passport To Unity Multicultural Festival

“Tourists are attracted to the incredible Algoma landscape just as the Group of Seven artists were nearly 100 years ago,” said Donna Hilsinger, President, Algoma Arts Festival Association.  “We are so pleased that the Ministry of Tourism, through Celebrate Ontario, is continuing to fund our Festival’s arts and culture events.”  

“The Sault Community Career Centre would like to thank the Ontario Government for their support and recognition of the Passport to Unity Festival,” said Karol Rains, Executive Director, Sault Community Career Centre. “In its 8th year, the Passport to Unity three day festival, attracts many tourists while bringing our community together to enjoy a wide variety of cultural activities, workshops, music, food, artists and special guest speakers.”

Helping local festivals and events grow and prosper supports the government's economic plan for Ontario.

The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire. 

QUICK FACTS

• Sault Ste. Marie has received $821,834 from the Celebrate Ontario program since its creation in 2007 to help support local festivals and events
• In 2015, the Ontario government will provide $19 million to support Celebrate Ontario festivals and events in Ontario
• In 2012, there were 8.1 million visits in Northern Ontario and these visitors spent $1.5 million dollars
• Tourism in Ontario generates over $28 billion in economic activity and supports more than 359,000 direct and indirect jobs in Ontario

LEARN MORE

Celebrate Ontario 2015 recipients

Celebrate Ontario grant applications.

Explore more ways to discover Ontario.

Passport to Unity Festival events (May 1st to May 3, 2015) download the app

Algoma Fall Festival – beginning in October 15

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