FedNor funding will help position tourism destinations as welcoming and inclusive places to visit for 2SLGBTQ+ travellers

Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, today announced a FedNor investment of $110,000 for Destination Northern Ontario. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.

Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, the funding will allow Destination Northern Ontario to conduct a 2SLGBTQ+ market readiness capacity building and training program for tourism businesses in Northern Ontario. Specifically, the project will result in the accreditation of 35 businesses as 2SLGBTQ+ welcoming and build local capacity for future business accreditation by training 25 new trainers.

The investment will also support five 2SLGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion training sessions for businesses operating in the Northern Ontario tourism sector, and fund five audits that are designed to assess each destination’s strengths and areas for improvement in their 2SLGBTQ+ market readiness. Taken together, the anticipated outcomes of this project will help position Northern Ontario as a welcoming and inclusive tourism destination for visitors from across the region, province, and country.

Quotes

“Northern Ontario is a premier destination for tourism, and I am happy that the Government of Canada is stepping up to ensure that our region is a welcoming place for everyone. Today’s investment will drive economic growth by helping to attract visitors to Northern Ontario and give tourism businesses the tools they need to promote safe and inclusive tourism experiences across the region.”

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

“I am proud that the Government of Canada is making important investments to strengthen Northern Ontario's reputation as a world-class inclusive tourism destination. This funding will help us grow and expand a critical sector for our region, and create good-paying jobs for middle-class families across Northern Ontario.”

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

“We are excited that FedNor is helping us position Northern Ontario as a destination of choice for 2SLGBTQ+ travellers. Our region is full of unique and beautiful places to visit, and we’re working to make sure that everyone feels safe and included while experiencing our region.”

• David MacLachlan, Executive Director, Destination Northern Ontario

Quick facts

• Originally named Tourism Northern Ontario, Destination Northern Ontario is an organization formed at the direction of the Northern Ontario tourism industry, and funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
• Destination Northern Ontario undertakes a holistic approach to economic tourism growth in Northern Ontario. 50% of the organization’s budget is allocated to non-marketing pillars to improve tourism products, develop the tourism workforce and increase capital investments.
• Today’s announcement is funded by FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.
• 2SLGBTQ+: This acronym represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities.