ontario tourism recovery

None of the $100M promised to Ontario tourism businesses has been delivered

Applications for covid-19 recovery fund closed in november, government says it's still 'working through' them.

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Six months after Ontario's tourism industry was promised $100 million to help it recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, not a penny of that money has flowed to businesses. 

The delay leaves hundreds of tourism operators across the province in limbo as they try to prepare for what they hope will be their busiest summer in three years.  

Premier Doug Ford's government announced the creation of the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program last September and gave businesses a mid-November deadline to apply.

Tourism operators were told to expect a response in eight weeks and to be prepared to start spending the money as of April 1. With that date just days away, none of the funding has been disbursed and the government isn't saying when it will be. 

"We are currently working through the applications," said Derek Rowland, a spokesperson for Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod, in an email to CBC News.

"This pandemic was particularly difficult for this sector. As a result, the response to the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program was significant," said Rowland.

A senior government official told CBC News that 700 businesses applied, and their combined requests for funding mean the $100-million program is oversubscribed, but would not say by how much. The official said MacLeod is pushing cabinet to agree to boost the funding.

• Ontario business owners welcome $100M in pandemic recovery funds for tourism sector

The fund is specifically designed for tourism-focused companies that lost more than 50 per cent of their revenue during the pandemic. Businesses are eligible for a range of funding depending on their size, with the biggest companies potentially getting upwards of $1 million.    

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario says its members need to know if they'll be getting the funding so they can scale up for summer. 

"We understand there are some bureaucratic delays in this, but we're urging [the government] to do all they can to get this money out as quickly as possible," said Christopher Bloore, the association's president and CEO.

"Every day that is lost is opportunities lost for Ontarians to be hired and for businesses to get the revenue that they've simply not had for the last two years," Bloore said in an interview. 

The uncertainty is causing grief for a range of tourism operators, from the owners of a fishing lodge in northwestern Ontario to the operators of shore excursions off Great Lakes cruise ships.

• Planning a staycation? You can claim a tax credit if you travel in Ontario this year

Bruce O'Hare, the president of Lakeshore Excursions, says his company's revenue virtually disappeared in 2020, dropping 98.6 per cent from the previous year. The losses over the course of the pandemic now run into the millions of dollars. 

"We ran a profitable business, we've never needed any government money or funding," O'Hare said in an interview from his base on Manitoulin Island. "Right now, we could sure use a lifeline."

While he was hopeful about the provincial tourism recovery fund, O'Hare says his repeated inquiries about his application have been met with "radio silence" since submitting it last fall.    

"We don't know what the status is," O'Hare said. "But what we do know is the tourism industry generally is hanging on by a thread these days. We're no different." 

At the time of announcing the program, MacLeod said the funding would protect jobs across Ontario and help tourism businesses prepare to reopen for the 2022 season. 

• Travellers to Canada doubled after border reopened to Americans

That's what Kathy Campbell is trying to do now at the Lac Seul Onaway Lodge, the fishing camp she owns and operates about 400 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.

The lodge can accommodate 72 guests and attracts almost exclusively American visitors. The pandemic has been devastating to the business, Campbell said in an interview.

"We've gone through all our savings. We've cleaned out our bank account. We're just about at the end of our overdraft protection," she said.

The tourism season begins in five weeks and Campbell said the business has costs to cover in the meantime.  

"I'm not quite sure where we're going to get that money from," she said. 

"We need to get gasoline. We need to get minnows. We need to make sure the boats are all running. We need to check the cabins, some of which haven't been used for over two years." 

• Travel agencies flooded with requests after Ottawa says it will drop pre-arrival PCR test for travellers

Campbell applied to the province last fall and was told the business could be eligible for up to $100,000 in funding. Her application status is listed as "under review" on the provincial website. 

Her message to the government: "Tell us if there is not going to be any money forthcoming. Then I have to make that really hard decision if I'm going to sell my place or go and get loans to make it through another season." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior reporter

Mike Crawley covers provincial affairs in Ontario for CBC News. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in B.C., filed stories from 19 countries in Africa as a freelance journalist, then joined the CBC in 2005. Mike was born and raised in Saint John, N.B.

• Follow Mike Crawley on Twitter

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Ontario Tourism Recovery Program to Launch on October 13 to Support Tourism Businesses in Attraction, Accommodation, and Leisure Travel Sectors

The province has confirmed that the $100 million Ontario Tourism Recovery Program, previously announced in the spring budget, will launch in mid-October. The Tourism Recovery Program will support for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors that help drive employment and visitors to their regions. Eligible businesses include hotels, inns, resorts, boat tours, ski hills, distilleries, hunting and fishing camps, airlines, motor coaches, live performance venues, cinemas, drive-in theatres, amusement parks, museums, and Indigenous attractions. 

The Tourism Recovery Program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50% of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019. Eligible applicants will receive up to 20% of 2020-2021 qualifying revenue losses with a funding cap of $1 million. Program funding will go towards helping businesses reopen safely, develop innovative tourism products, and/or retain and create tourism jobs. Eligible expenses include reopening and operating costs such as staff salaries and maintenance, health and safety measures for visitors and workers, tourism product and experience development, or marketing. 

Applications for the Tourism Recovery Program will open on October 13, 2021. 

For more information, read the news release  here.   

For a full list of eligible businesses, activities, and application details, visit the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program page  here . 

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Published plans and annual reports 2021-2022: Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries

Plans for 2021-2022, and results and outcomes of all provincial programs delivered by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries in 2020-2021.

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Ministry overview, ministry’s vision.

The Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries ( MHSTCI ) contributes to a spectacular double bottom line – a financial bottom line that creates thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars in economic activity, and a social bottom line that enriches the province as a vibrant, dynamic, diverse and inclusive place to live, work, visit and play. The ministry operates with a clear mandate to improve quality of life and promote economic growth by supporting and delivering tourism and cultural experiences, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Ontarians, supporting the arts and cultural industries and championing participation in sport and recreation activities across Ontario.

To achieve all this, the ministry will:

• Work with the tourism industry and regional tourism organizations to bring international investment and increase visitation.
• Invest in festivals and events across the province.
• Preserve, Ontario’s rich history, cultural heritage resources and natural beauty for generations to come.
• Promote science knowledge, the arts and creative economy.
• Fund public libraries.
• Support community projects and engagement.
• Honour and celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of Ontarians.
• Promote active lifestyles and safe participation in sport, recreation and physical activity.

The ministry, through its strategic support and investment, will create a province where residents and visitors will experience Ontario as the world in one province.

COVID‑19 response

Tourism, the arts and creative industries, museums and public libraries, amateur sport and recreation activities were hit first and hit hardest by the pandemic, and it is going to take the longest for these sectors to recover. The ministry acted quickly to protect Ontario’s tourism, culture, heritage and sport sectors by taking immediate steps such as adapting its programs to expedite funding in a nimble and responsive way to support businesses and organizations as they adapt to a new way-of-life and a new way of doing business during the pandemic.

The ministry continues to engage with its partners and adapt its existing programs and create new ones to support businesses and stakeholders, as well as local communities. When the timing is right, countries and communities will start to re-open and Ontario needs to be ready to rebuild and assist the ministry’s sectors in their short-, medium-, and long-term recovery.

Looking towards the future, the government is:

• Transforming Ontario Place into a world class, year-round destination that will attract local, provincial and international visitors. As Ontario Place marks its 50 th anniversary, it will be central to the recovery of heritage, culture, recreation and tourism for all Ontarians post pandemic – both as a tourism destination but also as a display of Ontario’s strong cultural identity.
• Reinforcing the work of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s annual $103 million budget by investing $105 million over two years in the Community Building Fund to support community tourism, cultural, sport and recreation organizations that are experiencing significant financial pressures due to the pandemic.
• Supporting small businesses through an estimated $100 million Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant in one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses which can apply for support to help them recover from the impacts of COVID‑19 as well as to help create and protect jobs. Ensuring cultural media tax credits and other program supports for the cultural media industries remain stable while working to streamline the time it takes to process them.
• Supporting the arts sector with increased investment to help cover operating losses incurred as a result of COVID‑19, help arts organizations throughout the province adapt their programming as they rebuild their audiences, and support jobs.
• Continuing to promote recovery and modernization in the community museum and heritage sector, particularly through support for digital capacity. Enhancing digital capacity will allow the province’s museums and heritage organizations to reach new and broader audiences and generate new sources of revenue.
• Introducing the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program, a new $100 million initiative for 2021-22 to help tourism operators, anchor businesses and attractions recover from the impacts of COVID‑19. This initiative will provide support for historically successful businesses that have helped to drive employment and visitation in their regions by assisting with costs related to restructuring, safe reopening, recalibrated marketing activities and partnership development.
• Providing a travel incentive program to help encourage Ontarians to choose travel within Ontario and explore their own backyard. Ontario residents could receive support of up to 20% for eligible Ontario tourism expenses to encourage them to safely discover Ontario when it is safe to do so. The Government has set aside $150 million for this initiative and this will be an important part of supporting business sustainability and keeping Ontario competitive within the industry.
• Modernizing the 11 Ontario Travel Information Centres ( OTICs ) operated by Destination Ontario across the province to amplify our pride of people, pride of place and pride of local products. The ministry will identify options and opportunities to modernize visitor services offered through the OTICs , including evolving the traditional model to deliver information services in a new, modern and customer-focused way that promotes tourism and Ontario-made products.
• Supporting community tourism, cultural, sport and recreation organizations that are experiencing significant financial pressures due to the pandemic through the Community Building Fund.
• Strengthening the relationship between the ministry and its provincial sport partners to help the sport sector recover post pandemic, instill confidence in parents that it is safe to play, inspire children and youth to be active and best equip our high-performance athletes for competitions around the world.
• Modernizing Ontario’s honours and awards programs so we can best recognize those who have selflessly contributed their time and their expertise to the advancement of their fellow Ontarians.

The ministry’s continued work will help create employment opportunities across the province and stimulate economic growth in local and regional communities by creating an innovative, vibrant, dynamic, diverse and inclusive environment where businesses and their employees can rebuild and thrive.

Ministry programs

Investments in ministry programs drive economic growth in communities across the province, provide jobs and opportunities for people and help Ontario's communities thrive and succeed by showcasing their strengths to the world. These investments ensure that the ministry remains a powerhouse that fuels a double bottom line, both the financial bottom line and the equally important bottom line of the province's cultural fabric and identity.

Heritage, Tourism and Culture Programs

The ministry is responsible for strategic policy, programs and services, and research initiatives related to the arts, cultural industries, archaeology, museums, heritage, public libraries and tourism in Ontario.

The ministry works with partners to:

• Foster community capacity in the conservation of Ontario’s heritage.
• Raise the profile of Ontario as a province rich in cultural, heritage and archaeological resources.
• Encourage and promote Ontario’s cultural tourism products.
• Cultivate growth in creative industries such as film, television, book and magazine publishing, music and interactive digital media to make Ontario a leader in the knowledge-based economy.
• Raise the profile of Ontario as a place to invest in tourism and creative industries.
• Support new product and experience development and enhance festivals and events across the province.
• Support regional planning and economic development through the Regional Tourism Organizations to build a stronger, more competitive tourism industry.

Heritage Sector Support – The ministry maintains core operating grant programs and provides advice and outreach to support museums, heritage organizations and municipalities to protect and preserve Ontario’s heritage resources. The ministry supports its provincial agency, the Ontario Heritage Trust, administers the Ontario Heritage Act and licenses archaeologists.

Tourism Sector Support and Promotion – The ministry provides a range of tourism sector supports and delivers a strategic set of coordinated programs and activities to maximize the industry’s growth and contribution to Ontario’s economy. These initiatives include targeted investments to attract or enhance festivals and events. This also includes focused planning and economic development activities through Regional Tourism Organizations. The ministry works to maximize opportunities for growth and development through investment attraction, business advisory services, and tourism sector research, actively attracting and supporting private sector investment and development initiatives in Ontario.

Ontario’s Creative Economy Programs and Services – The ministry provides grants and business development assistance to stimulate production, investment, job creation and growth in cultural media industries – film and television production, recorded and live music, book and magazine publishing and interactive digital media.

Cultural Media Tax Credits – The ministry provides refundable tax credit programs to incentivize production in the film and television, interactive digital media and book publishing industries to enhance Ontario’s competitiveness, stimulate job creation and investment and sustain sector growth.

Arts Sector Support – Through funding programs for artists, artist educators, not-for-profit organizations, training institutions and cultural tourism partners, the ministry supports artistic creation and presentation, organizational development and training programs to create a competitive and skilled workforce.

Library Sector Support – The ministry administers the Public Libraries Act, supports cooperation and coordination between libraries and library service boards, provides operating grant programs, project funding, advice and outreach to increase library sustainability and improve capacity while encouraging innovation. Programs help the province’s public and First Nations libraries and sector support organizations to deliver services and programs that are responsive to evolving local needs and help Ontarians learn and succeed in the knowledge-based economy.

Attractions and agencies

The ministry’s attractions and agencies showcase Ontario’s cultural diversity and creativity, as well as its history and cultural heritage, offering learning and entertainment opportunities in venues that have economic, social and historical value to communities and regions throughout the province. These entities promote the cultural fabric of Ontario as well as its economic growth and job creation by offering a range of educational, recreational, cultural and entertainment programs for residents and visitors.

The ministry is responsible for agency relations, governance, appointments, and operating and capital funding for agencies and attractions within its portfolio while driving agency modernization and transformation initiatives.

The ministry is also responsible for Fort William Historical Park and Huronia Historical Parks, two directly operated historic tourist attractions. Both Fort William Historical Park and Huronia Historical Parks act as significant regional economic catalysts through their roles as key tourism attractions, driving economic prosperity and building community partnerships by creating unique visitor experiences.

Sport, recreation and recognition

The ministry promotes a culture that values sport and physical activity and champions the social and economic benefits of active, engaged living for all Ontarians. The ministry aims to increase capacity within the sport and recreation sector and provide opportunities for all Ontarians to enjoy the benefits of being physically active. It also celebrates Ontarians and promotes civic engagement by recognizing and honouring exemplary achievement.

Sport and Athlete Development – The ministry provides support that enables growth of the sport sector, increases sport tourism, and provides athletes of all abilities the opportunity to participate and achieve success. Investments in various programs foster opportunities to strengthen the sport sector and help ensure the sport system welcomes all Ontarians to play organized sport.

Through Sport and Athlete Development, the ministry provides: funding to provincial and multi-sport organizations as the official governing bodies for their sport in Ontario in alignment with national standards; direct support to Ontario athletes enabling them to pursue athletic excellence at the highest levels; and funding to delivery partners for high performance programs and services, coach training and education building leadership in the sector.

Sport Events/Hosting – The ministry provides support to national and international amateur sport events hosted in Ontario; the Ontario Games program that funds the delivery of five multi-sport games with an economic impact of over $15 million; and the Canada Games that are held every two years and are a celebration of youth, sport, culture and community.

Office of the Athletics Commissioner – The ministry is responsible for the Office of the Athletics Commissioner, which oversees the rules and regulations governing professional boxing, mixed martial arts and kickboxing. These rules keep participants safe and ensure the integrity of the sports.

Recreation, Indigenous and Youth Support – The ministry supports active recreation programs to better support organizations in the delivery of high-quality physical activity experiences that focus on improving physical literacy. The ministry’s support is targeted to groups that lack equitable access to participate, including low-income persons, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.

Ontario Honours and Awards – The ministry coordinates and delivers Ontario’s honours and awards programs to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of Ontarians.

The ministry undertook several program changes and actions in response to COVID‑19 outbreak, including:

• Expediting the release of operating funds to public libraries, community museums and government agencies and attractions in order to sustain them during the pandemic.
• Offering a simplified application form for the Community Museums Operating Grant and the Public Libraries Operating Grant, deferring additional required documentation ( e.g. , audited financial statements) until later in the fiscal year, to reduce the burden for applicants and to continue to give them access to funding.
• Providing $2 million in grants to recipients of the ministry’s museum operating program to support enhanced digital capacity. This funding allows museums to develop virtual programs and services to support recovery and innovation. 
• Working with the Ministry of Finance to temporarily extend some timelines and amend some requirements for the cultural media tax credits to help companies maintain their tax credit eligibility.
• Tripling the budget of the Tourism Development Fund and creating the revised $1.5 million Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund aimed at supporting projects that develop innovative tourism products and experiences, drive private sector tourism investments, and support capacity building at provincial sector associations.
• Supporting festivals and events across the province by taking a flexible approach to administering the Celebrate Ontario 2020 program and investing $9 million through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program to support municipalities and event organizers as they maintain public safety requirements to reconnect people to their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences.
• Expediting the release of funding to Regional Tourism Organizations ( RTOs ) to ensure timely and seamless continuity of service. RTOs have responded to the COVID‑19 impact on the sector through initiatives that supported local businesses and operators including: undertaking hyperlocal promotional initiatives; directly facilitating the creation of innovative, safe products and experiences such as small group tours, drive-throughs/drive-ins, etc.; supporting safe reopening of operators; enhancing operators’ digital assets; and developing regional workforce development solutions.
• Working with partner ministries and hotel associations to identify opportunities to utilize available hotel capacity to support health care and other emerging needs.
• Establishing 14 Ministerial Advisory Councils ( MAC s) representing a wide scope of sectors to plot a shared response to the economic challenges of this pandemic.
• Holding tele-town hall updates hosted by the Minister with tens of thousands of people from across Ontario participating since the crisis began.
• Working with provincial sport and recreation partners to ensure that organizations who have experienced devastating revenue shortfalls can remain viable and will be ready to reopen and welcome participants to programming when it is safe to do so, including partnering with the sector on a pilot program that helps kids and families regain confidence in sport and recreation activities and promote safety in sport. 
• Supporting sport and recreation program partners that have continued to deliver programming during the pandemic, using online platforms.
• Working with recreation program partners that have redeployed staff to services and activities that are helping Ontarians deal with the health, social and economic challenges of COVID‑19 ( e.g. , providing food for families, running programs for homeless youth, providing safe transportation for Indigenous elders to attend critical medical appointments).
• Continuing to receive, process and review online nominations for honours and awards programs, to enable the ministry to virtually honour and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Ontarians until it is permissible to gather again.
• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Fort William Historical Park
• Huronia Historical Parks
• McMichael Canadian Collection
• Metro Toronto Convention Centre
• Niagara Parks Commission
• Ontario Heritage Trust
• Ontario Place Corporation
• Ontario Science Centre
• Ottawa Convention Centre
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Science North
• St. Lawrence Parks Commission
• During this period of closure, the agencies and attractions are doing their part to continue to support the provincial response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, for example, by enhancing their online offerings ( e.g. , virtual museums and science curriculums) or donating personal protective equipment to hospitals to support front-line workers.
• In 2020-21, the Ontario Trillium Foundation launched the Resilient Communities Fund to support the non-profit sector to recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID‑19 so they can effectively meet the needs of communities across Ontario. Through this fund, the Ontario Trillium Foundation is investing in projects of eligible non-profit organizations to aid their medium- to longer-term recovery efforts, help with their stabilization and build their capacity and resiliency in the aftermath of COVID‑19 with grants of up to $150,000.
• Also in 2020-21, the Ontario Arts Council launched the Arts Response Initiative to support professional artists and arts organizations and help rebuild the arts sector in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic. 
• Destination Ontario, as the lead marketing agency for the Province, is implementing a phased marketing approach to support the economic recovery of the sector by driving and delivering tourism revenues and employment back to businesses across the province. Destination Ontario is collaborating with the industry, including Regional Tourism Organizations, destination marketing organizations, sector associations, Destination Canada, and other key tourism partners.

2021-22 Strategic Plan

The ministry supports the government’s comprehensive action plan to respond to the serious health and economic impacts of COVID‑19, which sets out a total of $51billion in support over four years to protect people’s health and Ontario’s economy by taking the necessary health measures to defeat COVID‑19 and providing direct support to families, workers, employers and communities.

Through strategic and targeted investments in tourism, music, arts, museums and galleries, and sport and recreation activities the ministry will continue to protect and support its sectors as they rebuild, transform and invest in opportunities in their local communities, leading to long-term recovery. Supporting opportunities in local communities will lead to economic and social recovery across the province ensuring Ontario safely emerges post-pandemic as a global destination of choice.

For 2021-22, the ministry’s strategic plan includes the following key priorities and strategic investments to mitigate further impacts of COVID‑19 and support long-term recovery, while protecting jobs and enabling economic recovery:

• Investing $105 million over two years for the Community Building Fund to support community tourism, cultural and sport and recreation organizations that are experiencing significant financial pressures due to the pandemic. To this end, the government has set aside $150 million to encourage residents to explore Ontario when public health experts advise that it is safe to travel.
• Committing to provide Ontario residents with support up to 20 per cent for eligible Ontario tourism expenses to encourage them to safely discover the province in 2021.
• Appointing a Special Advisor on Ontario Place Development, to support and advise the Premier and Minister on transforming Ontario Place into a world class, year-round destination that will attract local, provincial and international visitors; and could include exciting sport and entertainment landmarks, public spaces and parks, recreational facilities and retail.
• Partnering with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to support workforce development initiatives for the culture and tourism sectors including promoting enhanced training on health and safety protocols and quality consumer service.
• Increasing its investment in Ontario’s arts community by $10 million in 2021–22. With support from the Ontario Arts Council ( OAC ), this increased investment will assist with significant costs incurred when preparing for activities and events that could not go forward in 2020–21. It will also help with financial impacts that occurred from the loss of box office revenue and venue rental income, as well as new costs related to health and safety, and digital or virtual programming.
• Increasing funding of up to $15 million for the Regional Tourism Organizations ( RTOs ) in 2021–22. The initiative will help stabilize and support the tourism sector’s efforts to attract domestic and international visitors when it is safe to do so. It will support the continued operation of Destination Toronto, Ottawa Tourism, and the 11 additional RTOs for the recovery of regional tourism, and to maintain and produce new, innovative tourism services and experiences under a modernized mandate.
• Committing $3 million over two years to support the Valour Games, a new, national multi-sport competition for wounded, ill and injured military personnel and veterans. The funding builds on the success of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto by continuing to showcase the athletic skills and abilities of Canada’s wounded veterans.
• Sector survival of the immediate and post economic shock of the pandemic.
• Increased public confidence to safely return to activities that support a good quality of life, such as travelling, participating in sports and recreational activities and celebrating Ontario’s diversity, heritage and culture.
• Increased competitiveness and modernization across all MHSTCI sectors to deliver new, innovative and inclusive experiences for generations to come.
• Long-term economic and social recovery of MHSTCI industries to ultimately drive economic growth and improve Ontario’s social fabric.

Detailed financial information

Historic trend analysis data, for additional financial information, see:.

• ontario.ca/page/expenditure-estimates
• ontario.ca/page/public-accounts
• budget.ontario.ca/2021/index.html

Agencies, Boards and Commissions ( ABCs )

The ministry is responsible for accountability and oversight of 16 provincial agencies:

Advisory Council to the Order of Ontario: The Order of Ontario is the Province’s highest civilian honour. The independent Advisory Council reviews nominations received from the public and recommends individual nominees from all fields of endeavour and backgrounds for appointment to the Order in honour of their excellence and achievement in Ontario and around the world.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection ( MCM ): Based on a 1965 donation by the McMichael family, the MCM is a major public art gallery devoted to the collection and exhibition of Canadian art.

Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation ( MTCC ): The MTCC manages a world-class convention facility in Toronto with more than 600,000 square feet of exhibit space, meeting rooms, ballroom space and a 1,330-seat theatre to host international and national conventions, trade and consumer shows.

Niagara Parks Commission ( NPC ): Established in 1885, the NPC is mandated to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River corridor for the enjoyment of visitors and future generations.

Ontario Arts Council ( OAC ) (legally known as the Province of Ontario Council for the Arts): As Ontario’s primary funding body for professional arts activities, OAC provides grants, scholarships and awards for the creation of art to benefit and enrich the lives of Ontarians.

Ontario Creates ( OC ) (legally known as the Ontario Media Development Corporation): The OC stimulates employment, investment and original content creation in Ontario’s cultural media cluster, including book and magazine publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, and live and recorded music.

Ontario Heritage Trust ( OHT ): The OHT is mandated to conserve, protect and preserve Ontario’s heritage, including properties of historical, architectural, archaeological, recreational, aesthetic and scenic interest.

Ontario Honours Advisory Council ( OHAC ): The OHAC is an advisory body, comprised of two sub-councils overseeing two distinct divisions (bravery and citizenship). The “Bravery Division” is a sub-council of the OHAC responsible for reviewing nominations and recommending nominees for the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery and for the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery.  The “Citizenship Division” is sub-council of the OHAC responsible for reviewing nominations and recommending nominees for the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. Both sub-councils of OHAC , through the Chair, are accountable to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

Ontario Place Corporation ( OPC ): The OPC is mandated to operate Ontario Place as a provincial exhibit and recreational centre, developing special programs to enhance the image of the province. To streamline accountability and governance for redevelopment of the Ontario Place site, legislation was passed in December 2018 to enable the eventual dissolution of the Ontario Place Corporation.

Ontario Science Centre ( OSC ) (legally known as the Centennial Centre of Science and Technology): The OSC depicts, educates and stimulates interest in science and technology and its relationship to society, and Ontario’s role in advancing science and technology.

Destination Ontario ( DO ) (legally known as the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation): DO promotes Ontario as a travel destination, including joint marketing initiatives in cooperation with the tourism industry, regional tourism organizations, governments and agencies.

Ontario Trillium Foundation ( OTF ): The OTF is one of Canada’s leading charitable grant-making foundations. It helps build strong and healthy communities through contributions to charitable and not-for-profit organizations.

Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation ( OCC ) (operating as the Shaw Centre): The OCC manages a world-class convention facility in Ottawa. The 200,000 square foot facility hosts international and national conventions and consumer and trade shows.

Royal Ontario Museum ( ROM ): The ROM promotes education, teaching, research and publication and collects and exhibits objects, documents and books to illustrate the natural history of Ontario, Canada and the world, and human history in all the ages. It is one of the largest museums in North America.

Science North ( SCN ): SCN features several attractions, including a science centre and model mine. It also provides public programming throughout Northern Ontario about science and technology and their relationship to society.

St . Lawrence Parks Commission ( SLPC ): SLPC provides recreational, cultural and heritage, educational and tourism opportunities at its attractions along 200 kilometres of the St. Lawrence River, including the award-winning heritage attractions: Upper Canada Village and the Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ministry is working with its provincial agencies to plan for the recovery of the tourism, heritage and culture sectors that have been impacted by COVID‑19.  In particular, the ministry will invest in the development of a Community Building Fund to help sustain operations in the short-term and create new attractions, experiences, events and programs. Destination Ontario will also continue leading work with tourism sector stakeholders on developing marketing initiatives to encourage Ontarians to stay local and attract tourists in Ontario. The ministry’s granting agencies ( i.e. , Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Creates and Ontario Trillium Foundation) are finding ways to support their sectors with added flexibility in their granting programs for 2021-22.

Ministry Organization Chart

• Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport – Sheref Sabawy
• Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport (Culture and Sport) – Vincent Ke
• Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport (Tourism) – Billy Pang
• Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister – William Snowball
• Director, Sport, Recreation and Community Programs – Patricia Vena
• Director, Policy Branch – Neil Coburn
• Director, Honours and Awards – Susan Golets
• Director, Culture and Strategic Policy – Dawn Landry
• Director, Programs and Services – Gavin Downing ( A )
• Director, Investment and Development Office – Debbie Jewell
• Director, Tourism Policy and Research – Tony Marzotto
• Director, Project Delivery – Elaine Shin ( A )
• Director, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations – Rose Hong ( A )
• Director, Agency Relations and Accountability – Jennifer Lang
• General Manager, Fort William Historical Park – Patrick Morash ( A )
• General Manager, Huronia Historical Parks – Will Baird
• Director, Financial Performance and Strategy Office -Cameron Whitehead ( A )
• Director, Human Resources footnote 5 [5]  – Jennifer Stewart footnote 6 [6]
• Director, Corporate Finance – Nadia Eid footnote 6 [6]
• Director, Regional Services and Corporate Support – Marie Campbell footnote 6 [6]
• Director, Strategic Policy Development and Planning – Kristina Lauesen footnote 6 [6]
• Director, Communications footnote 7 [7]  – Marc Hudon
• Legal Director footnote 8 [8]  – Cheryl Carson ( A )
• Community Services I&IT Cluster CIO / ADM footnote 9 [9]  – Soussan Tabari
• Destination Ontario
• Ontario Creates
• St.  Lawrence Parks Commission
• McMichael Canadian Art Collection
• Ontario Arts Council
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Advisory Council to the Order of Ontario
• Ontario Honours Advisory Council

Note: “( A )” denotes acting.

Annual Report

Investments in ministry programs boost economic growth and employment in local communities across the province and help improve quality of life by promoting and delivering tourism, heritage and cultural experiences and sport and recreation activities. Ontario’s heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries have in the past become a source of immense economic strength and cultural pride for its residents.

In response to COVID‑19, the ministry created an Economic Recovery Team and collaborated with its sectors on a sector-led response to the economic challenges caused by the pandemic and to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.

Below are results the ministry achieved in 2020-21:

• Established 14 new Ministerial Advisory Councils representing a wide scope of sectors to provide expert advice on ways to recover from COVID‑19.
• Worked with partner ministries and hotel associations to identify opportunities to utilize available hotel capacity to support health care and other emerging needs.
• Supported stakeholders through the Reopening Framework and provided hundreds of sector and business responses to reopening plans and requests from Ontario’s reopening portal.
• Supported recovery efforts and the future sustainability of festival and events across Ontario through the Celebrate Ontario program by investing in reprogrammed, reimagined or expanded events to help kick start visitation and economic recovery across Ontario.
• Released sector-specific guidelines for the tourism and hospitality industry, including the first two guidance documents that allowed cinemas and meeting / event facilities to apply per-room capacity limits. The guidelines helped businesses operate and reopen safely in this current environment. These guidelines included enhanced hygiene procedures, physical distancing measures and screening of both workers and guests for health issues.   
• Supported innovative tourism recovery projects and continued to fund tourism industry associations through targeted funding aimed at industry capacity building and addressed reduction in global travel as a result of COVID‑19.
• Supported municipalities and event organizers by investing $9 million through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program to maintain public safety requirements and allow people to reconnect with their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences. Organizers developed creative programs such as virtual Remembrance Day events, reverse holiday parades with drive-by static floats, drive-in music concerts and movies, holiday tree lightings and New Year’s Eve displays that lit-up iconic buildings. Eligible expenses under this funding included programming and production, promotion, mobile applications and website development, and implementation of health and safety measures.
• Invested $1.5 million through the new Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund and offered promotional incentives at provincial attractions to help the province’s tourism industry and welcome back visitors after the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Engaged with these entities to understand the impact of COVID‑19 on their operations and plan for sector recovery.
• Supported the entities in controlling their costs and managing cashflows; provided ongoing operating support to sustain their operations, where applicable.
• Launched Ontario Live in June 2020, which established a virtual platform for the people of Ontario to explore all the province has to offer from their comfort of their own home including local attractions, festivals, artists and content from other creative sectors. 
• Launched the musictogether.ca website in June 2020 to give musicians a virtual hub to perform concerts from the safety of their homes.  It has facilitated live concert streams by at least 200 Ontario-based artists, each of whom receives a one-time performance fee of $1,000 from an emergency relief fund.  The government supported the fund through a matched investment of $150,000.
• Modernized the Ontario Music Investment Fund to strengthen support for emerging artists, as well as focus resources on record labels and music companies with strong growth potential.  The fund will drive long-term growth and create opportunities for emerging artists to record and perform in Ontario.
• Provided $2 million to the Unison Benevolent Fund to support individual musicians and industry workers, many of whom have lost their sources of income during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Provided a one-time grant funding of $0.5 million to the Canadian Live Music Association in 2020-21 to support local communities to develop and implement music city strategies in a post-COVID‑19 economy.
• Worked with the Ministry of Finance to temporarily extend some timelines and amend some requirements for the cultural media tax credits to help companies maintain their tax credit eligibility.
• Provided a one-time funding of $25 million for individual artists and Ontario’s arts organizations to help cover operating losses incurred as a result of COVID‑19, to remain solvent, and to prepare to fully re-open their facilities, resume full programming and welcome their visitors and audiences when the times comes.
• Announced a new Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force to provide expert advice and recommendations on how to help the province’s $36 billion tourism industry recover from the COVID‑19 pandemic. This Task Force, which is chaired by the former MPP and Cabinet minister Tim Hudak will deliver a report with its recommendations to the minister in the spring 2021.
• Provided $2 million funding to support digital capacity of 166 Community Museum Operating Grant recipients.  
• Collaborated with Ministry of Infrastructure, Community Services I&IT Cluster and the Ontario Library Service to invest more than $4.8 million to upgrade broadband at public libraries in unserved and underserved communities.
• Flowed more than $14 million in strategic funding support to key arts and culture projects such as Ontario Culture Days, Massey Hall Revitalization Project, Digital Archives Ontario, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and the Canadian Film Centre.
• Regional Tourism Organizations ( RTOs ) funded by the ministry responded to the COVID‑19 impact on the tourism sector through initiatives that supported local businesses and operators including: undertaking hyperlocal promotional initiatives; directly facilitating the creation of innovative, safe products and experiences such as small group tours, drive-throughs/drive-ins, etc.; supporting safe reopening of operators; enhancing operators’ digital assets; and developing regional workforce development solutions.
• Unveiled a Memorial to Honour Canadian Heroes of the War in Afghanistan. This permanent tribute delivers on the government's commitment to commemorate the valour and sacrifice of the veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families, including those who served in recent wars. The memorial includes a stone from an Inukshuk dedicated to the fallen that was erected by Canadian soldiers at Kandahar Airfield - almost 11,000 kilometres away.

Attractions and Agencies

• Continued to receive, process and review online nominations for honours and awards programs, to enable the ministry to virtually honour and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Ontarians, until it is permissible to gather again.
• Monitored and reported on the impact of closures and cancellations.
• Enhanced online offerings ( e.g. , virtual museums and science curriculums) or donated personal protective equipment to hospitals to support front-line workers.
• Supported granting agencies ( i.e. , Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Creates, Ontario Trillium Foundation) that introduced flexibility to their granting programs to help communities, non-profit organizations, professional artists, arts organizations, and the creative industries (film, television, music, book and magazine publishing and interactive digital media). 
• Implemented a Domestic Recovery Marketing Support Program through Destination Ontario by investing $7 million in provincial funding and leveraging $6 million from Destination Canada to support locally led marketing programs encouraging Ontarians to stay local.  
• Implemented a $1.2 million Northern marketing campaign in partnership with Destination Northern Ontario (Regional Tourism Organization 13) designed to encourage domestic travel within Northern Ontario while taking travel corridors into consideration.
• Supported a loan through the Ontario Finance Authority $25 million to the Niagara Parks Commission to redevelop the historic Canadian Niagara Power Generating Station into a one-of-a-kind, made-in-Ontario attraction. This project will transform the 1905 heritage building into a thriving tourist attraction that will offer visitors an educational experience about Ontario’s power generating history, and a unique new perspective on the Falls through a new viewing platform.
• Provided $2 million to financially support the Ontario Place on-site activities, including several innovative festivals ( e.g. , drive-in festivals) and virtual events that gave people the opportunity to safely re-engage in arts and culture experiences as well as help with the economic recovery of the arts, entertainment and hospitality sectors in Ontario.
• Offered to front-line workers special promotions or discounts at several of the province’s top tourist destinations ( i.e. , Art Gallery of Ontario, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Niagara Parks Commission, Royal Ontario Museum, Royal Botanical Gardens, Huronia Historical Parks, Huronia Historical Parks and Fort William Historical Park).
• Invested nearly $5 million in grants to help independent local book and magazine publishers access new markets and bring Canadian creative content to new audiences, both at home and around the world. The funding will be used for business development, enable participation in virtual industry activities and events, allow for the development of business strategies, and support innovative business practices.
• Provided $12.81 million to Niagara Parks Commission to help ensure the region remains one of the top tourism destinations in the world during COVID‑19 outbreak. This one-time funding will help protect jobs, keep some attractions open, ensure compliance with public health protocols, and continue to keep visitors safe through policing and road maintenance activities.
• Launched, through Destination Ontario, a new “Support Local” marketing campaign designed to instill a sense of pride of place and encourage people to safety be a tourist in their own communities by exploring new and creative ways to reconnect with the unique small business and places that make the province’s communities special. 
• Provided $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund to help 1,045 non-profit organizations across the province rebuild and recover from the impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic. This fund provides grants up to $150,000 to eligible non-profit organizations. 
• Launched Ontario.Live, a digital hub through which people can learn about and support local artists, tourism operators and attractions throughout the province.
• Provided an investment of $5.5 million to the SLPC to support the continued operation and maintenance of its historic sites, parks and attractions. This funding will go towards repairs and renovations to keep Eastern Ontario’s one-of-a-kind tourist areas running smoothly, while also taking steps to reduce the spread of COVID‑19.

Provincial agency and transfer payment entity stabilization funding

• A portion of operating funding was provided to Ontario Creates to assist in allowing the agency to balance its budget and will be used to address core expenses, such as salaries and benefits, grants made to third parties and program delivery.

Sport, Recreation and Recognition Programs

• Reducing burden related to reporting requirements and performance commitments ( e.g. , extension of timelines).
• Providing flexibility on funding to refocus on COVID‑19 related activities ( e.g. , online programing).
• Worked with recreation partners that redeployed staff to services and activities to help Ontarians deal with the health, social and economic challenges of COVID‑19 ( e.g. , providing food for families, running programs for homeless youth, providing safe transportation for Indigenous elders to attend critical medical appointments).
• Allocated $6.36 million in 2020-21 for Quest for Gold (Canada Card) Program to support approximately 550 Ontario athletes who have reached national competition level. This initiative provides direct financial assistance to high-performance athletes, enhancing their ability to train by reducing financial burden.
• Negotiated nearly $5 million in supplemental emergency support funding from the federal government to more fairly support Ontario’s sport and recreation sector.
• Provided $3 million in 2020-21 for SPORT4ONTARIO to deliver a pilot program that helps kids and families regain confidence in sport and recreation activities. The program will support grassroots physical activity and recreation programming. It will promote mental wellness and safety in sport that is free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.
• Committed $2.35 million for the Ontario Hockey League ( OHL )'s post-secondary education scholarships for athletes on 17 Ontario-based teams. This investment provides approximately $138,000 to each of the 17 teams to help them meet their player scholarship commitments.
• Championed concussion safety with a financial commitment of $200,000 through the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada to produce a documentary film showcasing Rowan Stringer’s life and highlighting the importance of recognizing the signs of a concussion in young athletes.
• Announced 47 new appointments to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, for 2019 and 2020. The Order of Ontario honours individuals whose exceptional achievements have left a legacy in the province, in Canada, and beyond. Members of the Order of Ontario come from all walks of life, represent diverse fields of endeavor, and have played an important role in shaping the province.  
• Recognized six outstanding young leaders with the Lincoln M. Alexander Award for their commitment to anti-racism and equity in their communities by awarding them with $5,000 and a certificate. Each year the Lincoln M. Alexander Award is given to three young people, students or community leaders, who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in working to eliminate racial discrimination.
• Recognized two graduate students with the Hilary M. Weston Scholarship Award for their outstanding work and contributions to the study of mental health.  Each year, the scholarship is awarded to up to two graduate students enrolled in full-time social work programs at a publicly funded Ontario university to support their research in the mental health field.
• Awarded 10 individuals and six volunteer organizations for their exceptional contributions through the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism. These recipients are leaders who have devoted their time to help seniors and children, supported those who face violence in the community and mentor and coach people of all abilities.
• Acknowledged the outstanding contributions and efforts of 6,658 volunteers through the 27 virtual Volunteer Service Award ceremonies across the province. These individuals have demonstrated how critical volunteers are and how they strengthen Ontario’s social fabric in communities, especially during the devastating impacts of COVID‑19. 
• footnote [1] Back to paragraph ^ Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2021 Ontario Budget.
• footnote [2] Back to paragraph ^ Estimates and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure
• footnote [3] Back to paragraph ^ 2019-20 Ontario Place Corporation actuals are based on calendar-year 2019.
• footnote [4] Back to paragraph ^ Administratively reports to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. Provides services to Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility.
• footnote [5] Back to paragraph ^ Reports to ADM , Regional and Corporate Services Division, Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and ADM , HR Service Delivery, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
• footnote [6] Back to paragraph ^ Provides services to the Ministry of Francophone Affairs and ADM/CAO of Ministry of Francophone Affairs and Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
• footnote [7] Back to paragraph ^ Reports to DM , Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and DM , Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs and Associate Secretary of the Cabinet.
• footnote [8] Back to paragraph ^ Reports to DM s of Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility and ADAG, Ministry of the Attorney General.
• footnote [9] Back to paragraph ^ Reports to Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
• footnote [10] Back to paragraph ^ Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2021 Ontario Budget
• footnote [11] Back to paragraph ^ Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions

Ontario government pledges $100-million to help tourism sector recover from COVID-19 pandemic

This article was published more than 2 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Ontario Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod, in Toronto, on June 15, 2020. Chris Young/The Canadian Press

Ontario will invest $100 million in the province’s tourism sector to help it recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod said Monday that the money will be distributed through the new Tourism Recovery Program, which will help for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors.

“The last 18 months of the pandemic have been the most challenging Ontario’s tourism industry has ever faced,” said MacLeod. “Previously an economic powerhouse for the province, tourism has been hit by the triple threat that COVID-19 represents — a health, economic and social crisis.”

MacLeod said that the funding will help support regionally significant businesses, while protecting jobs in communities that rely on the tourism industry.

Eligible tourism businesses include inns and lodges, boat tours, ski centres, live performance venues, cinemas, drive-in theatres, and amusement and water parks.

The province said the program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50 per cent of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019.

Applications for the program open on Oct. 13.

NDP legislator Michael Mantha, who serves as the tourism critic for the Opposition, said that the funding is “long overdue” and needs to be delivered faster.

“Waiting so long for this long-promised OTRP could be the last straw for some tourism business operators, who have done everything possible to keep their dreams alive and their staff teams employed,” said Mantha.

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Ontario Tourism Recovery Program Set To Launch

September 28, 2021

Ontario has confirmed that it will launch its $100 million Ontario Tourism Recovery Program on Oct. 13, 2021.

Announced in the government’s spring Budget, the Tourism Recovery Program will support for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors that help drive employment and visitors to their regions. Eligible businesses include hotels, inns, resorts, boat tours, ski hills, distilleries, hunting and fishing camps, airlines, motor coaches, live performance venues, cinemas, drive-in theatres, amusement parks, museums, and Indigenous attractions.

The Tourism Recovery Program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50% of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019.

Eligible applicants will receive up to 20% of 2020-2021 qualifying revenue losses with a funding cap of $1 million.

Program funding will go towards helping businesses reopen safely, develop innovative tourism products, and/or retain and create tourism jobs.

Eligible expenses include reopening and operating costs such as staff salaries and maintenance, health and safety measures for visitors and workers, tourism product and experience development, or marketing.

Applications for the Tourism Recovery Program will open on Oct. 13, 2021.

Go to http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/awards_funding/OTRP.shtml for more.

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Ontario Chamber and Tourism Industry Association Announce Partnership to Support Ontario Tourism’s Economic Recovery

Media release.

(Toronto – October 25, 2021) – With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario’s tourism industry was one of the hardest-hit – and it will be one of the last to fully recover. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) to support the sector’s economic recovery.

In early 2022, the OCC and TIAO will host two roundtables that will bring together tourism operators, industry experts, associations, chambers of commerce, and boards of trade across the province. The insights gathered during these consultations will inform a joint report examining the state of Ontario’s tourism industry after two unprecedented years navigating a global pandemic. The report will include a ‘ground-level’ look at the industry’s recovery, its path forward, and timely recommendations to government.

“We are pleased to partner with TIAO on this important initiative as many pandemic restrictions such as border closures resulted in significant revenue loss, mounting debt, and much uncertainty for the travel and tourism industries,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“Representing $36 billion of Ontario’s GDP, tourism is a vital sector for Ontario’s economy and its industries are critical for our economic recovery.”

“While emergency grants, loans, and tax relief programs have helped these businesses keep their doors open, these supports are temporary. It’s clear that many challenges lie ahead, and what’s needed is a forward-looking strategy to support small tourism operators in the short-term – and ensure the sector’s future growth,” added Rossi.

In 2018, Ontario was home to 200,000 tourism businesses. The sector employed 400,000 Ontarians across a range of sub-sectors, including culture and heritage, recreation, entertainment, food and beverage, attractions, transportation, accommodation, and travel services. The sector also contributed over $5 billion in annual tax revenues for the province, and benefited numerous adjacent industries.

“The tourism sector faced several obstacles prior to COVID-19 – ranging from labour challenges to regulatory burden,” adds Chris Bloore, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. “These challenges have been magnified in the last 19-months, and experts don’t expect the sector to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023. As Ontarians return to a new normal, our sector can’t be left behind.”

“We’re proud to partner with the Ontario Chamber to help the province chart a path forward – to ensure tourism remains a national economic contributor and Ontario continues to be a competitive tourism destination within Canada and globally,” added Bloore.

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

About the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) is recognized by government as the voice of tourism. TIAO works on behalf of its membership, collectively representing 188,000 businesses and 391,000 employees. TIAO propels the powerful and innovative Ontario tourism industry by connecting tourism leaders, innovators, government, and educators through events and conferences. TIAO is proud to host the largest gathering of tourism leaders, educators, businesses, and government officials in Canada, at the annual Ontario Tourism Summit.

For more information, please contact: Ceara Copps – Edwards Manager, Public Affairs [email protected] | Mobile (647) 936-6734

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Ontario chamber welcomes province’s reopening plan.

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Government of Canada investment of over $17 million supports tourism recovery in eastern Ontario

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

News release

In Eastern Ontario, tourism attractions and destinations like museums, vibrant downtown cores, culinary delights and historic sites play a vital role in the region’s economy and cultural identity, promoting the unique heritage and natural beauty of the region. The Government of Canada understands the importance of the tourism sector and is committed to supporting communities as they build towards a strong future from coast to coast to coast.

Over 160 projects supported to enhance recreational facilities, parks and trails to attract visitors to region

May 26, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario

During Economic Development Week, we are highlighting the important investments that have been made across Ontario to support the tourism industry. Between 2022 and 2023, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) delivered nearly $140 million through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) to help tourism-oriented businesses and organizations across southern Ontario recover from the impacts of the pandemic and safely welcome back visitors.

As part of this investment, more than $17.5 million was delivered to 166 tourism businesses and organizations in eastern Ontario, providing memorable experiences for visitors and positioning the region for success.  

For example, Moonlight on the Bay, an Indigenous-led tourism organization, received $100,000 to construct two rental villas, offering guests a panoramic view of the Bay of Quinte, while also allowing them to enjoy the culture and nature of the area.

TRF support also made a difference in the community of Harcourt, where South Algonquin Equestrian Trails received $100,000 to create 17 equine campsites in the Haliburton Highlands. Project funding allowed for the installation of  hydro, as well as site preparation with driveways and signage. The project helped to expand campsite offerings for guests along with their horses to enjoy the beautiful scenic trails throughout the southern portion of Algonquin Park.  

Also with this Government of Canada support,  Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority Inc. (RTO 10)  and Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization (RTO 11) provided non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 to tourism businesses and organizations in the region.

For example, RTO11 supported Bancroft Community Transit (BCT) with an investment of $75,000 to create a new culinary experience called "Dining Under the Stars" at their transit café. This experience is attracting visitors to the region and income generated from this social enterprise is helping the BCT run its transit fleet.

These investments have been crucial in helping local businesses and organizations welcome more visitors and build stronger, more vibrant communities. 

“With an investment of nearly $140 million for the Ontario tourism sector, our government has been making smart investments that put people first and grow local economies that work for everyone. A new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy will keep this industry strong and support the vitality of communities small and large across the country.” - The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“It’s time for Canada’s tourism sector to push past reviving all the way to thriving. Our government’s investments in tourism over the last three years focused on sustaining and rebuilding the tourism ecosystem, promoting what we have and designing for the future. A fully recovered and robust tourism sector is key to our government’s ongoing work to build an economy that works for everyone. Together, we can make sure that Canada’s tourism sector is something that visitors and Canadians alike will celebrate and enjoy for generations to come.” - The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

“The National Capital Region and Ontario’s Highlands are growing as a top tourist destination thanks to museums and historical sites, year-round outdoor activities and diverse culinary options, offering innovative new experiences to residents and visitors alike. Through the support of the Tourism Relief Fund, more than 160 tourism businesses and organizations in Ottawa and eastern Ontario are going to provide visitors with memorable experiences in the capital region for years to come.” - Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre

“We are so grateful for the Tourism Relief Fund support through FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada to help build two new cabins and open our new business, Moonlight on the Bay. We are excited to offer visitors unique cultural and nature experiences, as well as easy access to the neighbouring attractions in Prince Edward County.” - Linda Maracle, Co-founder, Moonlight on the Bay

“South Algonquin Equestrian Trails is very grateful to have had the opportunity to obtain this support through the Tourism Relief Fund and the Government of Canada. The funding permitted South Algonquin Equestrian Trails to be able to expand the campsites in a timely manner, creating quality equine campsites for recreational riders as more people would love to ride and explore in Ontario.” - Tammy Donaldson, Operations Manager, South Algonquin Trails

“This funding came at exactly the right time. Support through FedDev Ontario and OHTO has helped us create a unique experience, which will bring more people to our beautiful community.” - Gwen Coish, Director of Operations, Bancroft Community Transit

Quick facts

Opening in the summer of 2023, Moonlight on the Bay is an Indigenous-led tourism organization located on the shoreline of the beautiful Bay of Quinte, on Tyendinaga First Nation. Its two villas are designed to provide a relaxing getaway for visitors to unwind and enjoy local cultural and nature experiences. 

Operating since 1999, South Algonquin Equestrian Trails offers campsites, trail rides and unique experiences in the Haliburton Highlands for guests and horses.

Bancroft Community Transit is a non-profit organization providing a door-to-door transportation service by volunteer drivers.

FedDev Ontario delivered nearly $140 million of the  Tourism Relief Fund  across southern Ontario, including $76.5 million in support for southern Ontario’s 11 Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) . As part of this investment, ITO received $3.5 million and has delivered $2 million to support 23 Indigenous-led tourism projects across southern Ontario and fostered connections between Indigenous tourism operators and Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) in the region. 

In Budget 2023, the Government of Canada proposed a $108-million investment over three years as part of a Federal Tourism Growth Strategy to support growth, investment and stability in Canada’s tourism sector. Subject to parliamentary approval, this support, to be delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies including FedDev Ontario, will help ensure that our tourism industry can continue to be a driver of good jobs and vibrant communities across Canada.

Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $265 million in more than 370 projects across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, estimated to create over 8,000 jobs and maintaining over 9,300 jobs.

Associated links

• FedDev Ontario
• Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
• Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority Inc. (RTO 10)
• Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization (RTO 11)
• Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) Tourism Relief Fund Overview
• South Algonquin Equestrian Trails
• Bancroft Community Transit (BCT)

Edward Hutchinson Press Secretary Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario [email protected]

Media Relations FedDev Ontario [email protected]

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Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) 2021/2022 Intake

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, certain sectors have been hit harder than others. With the lack of leisure and recreational travel, the tourism industry has experienced significant turmoil. That is why the Ontario provincial government has introduced the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP), which provides financial support to businesses in the tourism sector looking to recovery and adapt, including for-profit attractions, accommodations, transportation, and other sectors that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.

OTRP applicants must have experienced a qualifying revenue decline of at least 50% in the reported 2020-2021 year compared to fiscal year-end 2019.

Over 1.8 million Canadian are employed in the tourism sector, with roughly 35% of all Canadian tourism spending happening in Ontario ( source ). With the travel restrictions put in place because of COVID-19, financial recovery programs have become crucial for post-pandemic survival and recovery for these organizations.

Funding Snapshot: Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP)

Otrp funding amount.

Tourism businesses that are eligible for funding through the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) will be eligible for funding up to the lesser of:

• Up to 20% of 2020-2021 qualifying revenue losses, compared to fiscal year 2019, or
• Tier 1 : More than $4M in salary and wage expenses in 2019. Funding cap: $1M.
• Tier 2 : $2M to $4M in salary wage expenses in 2019. Funding cap: $500,000.
• Tier 3 : $1.3M to $1.9M in salary and wage expenses in 2019. Funding cap: $250,000.
• Tier 4 : Less than $1.3M in salary and wage expenses in 2019. Funding cap: $100,000.

OTRP Applicant Eligibility

Canadian tourism businesses that meet all of the following requirements are eligible for Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) funding:

• Be a for-profit business, legally incorporated (federally or provincially) as of January 1, 2018;
• Operate an eligible tourism business in Ontario and have a Canadian bank account;
• Have experienced eligible revenue decline of at least 50% in the reported 2020–2021 year (COVID impact year), compared to fiscal year-end 2019 (pre-COVID baseline year);
• Have annual financial statements for fiscal year-end 2018, 2019 and the reported 2020–2021 fiscal year that reflects the impacts of COVID-19 and related losses;
• Have issued at least one T4 to an employee in 2019;
• Normally be open to the public at least 12 consecutive weeks per year and open at least five days per week during operating season; and
• Be open, as permitted, in 2021.

Eligible businesses include:

• Eligible accommodations : Bed and breakfasts, resorts, hotels, motels, inns, lodges, hunting and fishing camps, cottages and cabins, campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.
• Eligible attractions : Farm-based tourist attractions, amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, scenic/ sightseeing tours, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, eco- and nature centers, museums, Indigenous attractions, performing arts/ music venues, cinemas, boat tours, marinas, convention and conference centers, destination spas, wineries, breweries, distilleries, golf courses, ski and snow attractions. 
• Eligible transportation businesses : Commercial passenger airlines, motor coaches.
• Indigenous businesses : Indigenous owned businesses do not need a CRA Business Number to apply but must meet all other eligibility requirements.

Eligible Projects for OTRP

Applicants that are eligible for funding through the OTRP will use their funding to help them prepare to re-open safely, develop new tourism products to help them cope with tourism during COVID-19, retain and create jobs in their sector, and support tourism recovery in their region. Those that meet the eligibility requirements are not guaranteed funding.

Eligible applicants can use their awarded funding for expenditures, such as:

• Reopening and operating expenses, including staff salaries and maintenance
• Health and safety measure to support the safety of visitors and workers
• Attracting visitors through tourism product and experience improvements and marketing.

OTRP Funding Timelines

The Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) program launched on October 13, 2021 and is currently accepting applications. Successful applicants can use their awarded funding towards eligible expenses incurred between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

Apply for the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP):

If your organization meets the above eligibility criteria, consider applying for the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) with Mentor Works team of Canadian government funding application writers. Our team provides clients with an estimated 95%-time savings when compared to writing applicants in-house. Speak to a member of the Mentor Works team or call us at 1-888-599-3111 .

The Canadian federal and provincial governments have a wealth of grant, loan, and COVID-19 business recovery programs. Speak with a member of the Mentor Works team to find out if your business is eligible for these programs and what upcoming projects you have that could receive funding.

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