OFFICE OF TERRY SHEEHAN
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SAULT STE. MARIE
MP Sheehan (Centre) discusses Tourism findings with Jamie Hilsinger (Right), Executive Director, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and Heather Bot (Left), Executive Director, Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association at the bushplane on September 27, 2022.
MP Sheehan and Matt Mann, Manager of Community First Curling Centre
– Home of Soo Curlers Association.
News Release
For Immediate Release
FedNor invests nearly $9.7 million in Northern Ontario’s tourism sector
Government of Canada funding to fuel a strong recovery and future growth, helping create and maintain over 289 jobs
September 27, 2022 – Thunder Bay, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Canada has much to offer the world as travel safely resumes: breathtaking landscapes and wide open spaces, diverse and inclusive experiences, and welcoming people with outstanding service. Combined with a strong focus on health and safety and high COVID-19 vaccination rates, Canada is among the most alluring and smartest destination choices for visitors.
The pandemic has had an undeniable impact on Canada’s tourism sector. The Government of Canada has helped keep tourism businesses open and the Tourism Relief Fund will help to better position businesses to welcome back guests.
In recognition of the United Nations’ World Tourism Day, held each year on September 27, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced FedNor investments totalling $9,654,641 to protect, strengthen and grow Northern Ontario’s tourism sector. Provided through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) and FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), the investments will support 74 tourism projects in municipalities and Indigenous communities across the region. For the full list of projects, please see backgrounders.
Quotes
“Sault Ste. Marie is a natural meeting space between lakes, regions, and countries, and that’s part of what makes our region such a special tourism destination. I am happy that our government is investing in tourism because, by supporting our businesses, this important investment is supporting us, the people who live in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.”
“We are proud to support tourism across Northern Ontario, which remains one of the best ways of showcasing our region’s many wonders while also providing important economic benefits. Investments like this nearly $9.7 million help create good jobs and ensure that local businesses have the tools they need to succeed. Our government is helping to maximize the opportunities of this key sector by working with Canadian businesses to embrace tourists as they return to the north.”
“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will work with businesses and organizations through these challenging times, ensuring they get support to innovate in their products and services as well as to grow and thrive, all while keeping safety as the top priority. The Tourism Relief Fund helps businesses adapt to welcome back guests safely. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector recover from the pandemic and build an economy that works for everyone. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”
Canada's tourism sector is an essential contributor to the Canadian economy. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector was generating $102 billion in annual economic activity, 1.8 million jobs and accounted for over two percent of GDP. However, the sector has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. During these challenging times, the Government of Canada is stepping up efforts to ensure that tourism businesses and organizations, as well as municipalities and Indigenous communities dependent on the sector, are resourced and ready to ramp up quickly to welcome back visitors.
In recognition of the United Nations’ World Tourism Day, held each year on September 27, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced FedNor investments totalling $9,654,641 to protect, strengthen and grow Northern Ontario’s tourism sector. Provided through the FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) (identified below) and the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), the investments will support 74 tourism projects in municipalities and Indigenous communities across the region.
Backgrounder:
Tourism initiatives supported by FedNor in Northcentral Region
Sault Ste. Marie
Ontario Bushplane Heritage and Forest Fire Education Centre $91,000
The Ontario Bushplane Heritage and Forest Fire Education Centre is receiving $91,000 to purchase and implement a Smartphone App designed to support better accessibility and multiple language content, as well as the necessary information, materials, and training to support proper App delivery.
Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association $81,000
The Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association is receiving $81,000 to assist tourism businesses to modernize and expand e-commerce services and access training.
Great Lakes Cruise Association $65,828
The Great Lakes Cruise Association is receiving $65,828 to revitalize and expand cruise tourism in the Great Lakes.
Soo Curler’s Association $46,000
The Soo Curler’s Association is receiving $46,000 to host the Everest Canadian Seniors Curling Championship. This funding is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program.
Algoma-Manitoulin
Sheshegwaning First Nation $760,887
The Sheshegwaning First Nation is receiving $760,887 through the NODP to construct a new multi-use Leadership Centre.
Algoma Traditional Music and Dance Group $500,000
The Algoma Traditional Music and Dance Group is receiving $500,000 to support the phase two construction of the AlgomaTrad Centre on St. Joseph's Island.
Township of St. Joseph $244,119
The Township of St. Joseph is receiving $244,119 to undertake marina, waterfront, and tourism attraction upgrades.
Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association $211,713
Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association is receiving $211,713 through the NODP to promote angling tourism through a series of infrastructure upgrades, events and marketing initiatives.
Bayside Resort $100,000
Bayside Resort is receiving $100,000 to introduce new Indigenous cultural tourism experiences and build four new suites to accommodate twice as many guests.
Lure of the North Inc. $100,000
Lure of the North is receiving $100,000 to construct and equip a new storage, maintenance and outdoor fitness facility at its base camp, helping transform the business into an all-season operation.
Brennan Harbour RV Park $94,270
The Brennan Harbour RV Park is receiving $94,270 to expand its operations by adding 10 transient campsites and modernizing on-site infrastructure such as electrical and septic systems.
Municipality of Wawa $90,000
The Municipality of Wawa is receiving $90,000 to develop a five-year tourism plan and COVID-19 recovery strategy.
Stillwater Fishing And Tours $83,626
Stillwater Fishing And Tours is receiving $83,626 to create eco-resort accommodations, including geodesic dome yurts.
Ojibwe Cultural Foundation $80,041
The Ojibwe Cultural Foundation is receiving $80,041 to upgrade its facility and equipment to enhance the visitor experience and adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
Municipality of Central Manitoulin $75,264
The Municipality of Central Manitoulin is receiving $75,264 through the NODP to develop and implement a Tourism Adaptation Strategy for the Manitoulin Island and Lacloche Foothills area.
Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates $57,000
The Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates is receiving $57,000 to develop and launch the Manitoulin Digital Outdoor Experience Museum.
Bull Lake Outfitters $45,000
Bull Lake Outfitters is receiving $45,000 to support cabin and accessibility upgrades, an outdoor entertainment area, new docks and a steel barn to house hay for the farm animals.
Spanish River Resort & Campground $41,500
The Spanish River Resort & Campground will receive $41,500 to create five new fully-serviced RV campsites, construct an equipment shed and complete infrastructure upgrades that include the electrical and septic systems.
Naturally Superior Adventures $38,011
Naturally Superior Adventures is receiving $38,011 to modernize and expand its tourism offerings, including water and food safety, accommodations and developing a new sailing instruction program.
Lakeshore Excursions $37,500
Lakeshore Excursions is receiving $37,500 to develop new excursions and adapt tours and practices to improve safety.
Quick facts
Associated links and Related Products and Backgrounders:
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Contacts
Alison Murphy, Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
[email protected]
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
