Feds give cash to boost Ontario Culture Days in the north

A federal investment of $80,000 aims to boost Ontario Culture Days events in Northern Ontario Festival Hubs.

“This investment will support Ontario Culture Days in increasing international tourism and enhancing experiences at events in Festival Hubs including Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay, as well as in Temiskaming, Greater Sudbury, and Timmins,” said Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan in a news release.

Ontario Culture Days Festival is a free province-wide celebration of arts, culture and heritage.

This year it's scheduled from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13.

Below is the full news release from Terry Sheehan below:

Arts and culture have the power to bring communities together, and attract people from across the world. When we support the tourism industry, we also support our local artists, businesses and strengthen our cultural identity. Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, today announced a FedNor investment of $80,000 in Ontario Culture Days in support of the tourism industry of Algoma region and Northern Ontario.

The funding will help Ontario Culture Days to better establish their northern Festival Hubs. More specifically, the funding will enable the development of marketing and implementation plans, as well as an online toolkit to support event organizers. This investment will support Ontario Culture Days in increasing international tourism and enhancing experiences at events in Festival Hubs including Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay, as well as in Temiskaming, Greater Sudbury, and Timmins.

The Ontario Culture Days Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and heritage taking place each fall across the province. Each year, they work with organizers of all disciplines to produce this province-wide festival. Organizers host events throughout Ontario, free of charge for all. This year’s Ontario Culture Days will take place from September 20th to October 13th, 2024.

Quotes

“These investments will not only help create opportunities for diverse, local economic development, but they will help open Algoma region to the world. Our piece of Canada has many big-name draws and attractions, but there are countless other hidden gems and quiet wonders. Sault Ste. Marie is in many ways the cornerstone of and gateway to everything Algoma has to offer, and these projects will ensure that our community remains ready to serve the needs of visitors and to create and capitalize upon the tourism opportunities available to us.”

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors

“Northen Ontario is full of experiences that attract visitors from all over the world. Todays investment into the Ontario Culture Days Festival continues help grow the local tourism industry by supporting small businesses and creating an economy that’s fair for everyone.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for FedNor

“We at Ontario Culture Days are committed to fostering public engagement with local arts, culture, and heritage. Partnering with FedNor and the Government of Canada helps make it possible for us to support the vibrancy and sustainability of the tourism, entertainment, and culture sector while enriching our communities across the province. Northern Ontario is a special place, and we are proud to help share everything that makes it special with people from far and wide.” tourism industry by supporting small businesses and creating an economy that’s fair for everyone.”

Ruth Burns, Executive Director, Ontario Culture Days

Quick facts

• Ontario Culture Days is a not-for-profit organization that celebrates artists and cultural groups in our communities.
• The funds announced today are provided through the Tourism Growth Program (TGP), a Government of Canada program through which $108 million will be delivered over 3 years. TGP funds are delivered by Regional Development Agencies and aim to support communities, small and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.
  • The program also complements supports for the tourism industry provided through other federal, provincial, and territorial programs.