Kingston – Nestled amidst picturesque waterways, charming historic sites, and a thriving arts scene, Eastern Ontario attracts visitors with a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, charming towns and hidden gems, making it a cherished destination for travellers seeking memorable experiences.
Today, on behalf of Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands visited the Great Lakes Museum in Kingston. While there, MP Gerretsen announced an investment of over $3.7 million for 27 organizations across Eastern Ontario that are diversifying their offerings and contributing to attracting new visitors to the region. This includes five projects that support Indigenous tourism across Eastern Ontario. MP Gerretsen highlighted how an increase in tourists leads to spillover benefits into communities while stimulating local economies.
While at the Great Lakes Museum, MP Gerretsen celebrated the newly restored and opened, S.S. Keewatin. Originally built in 1907 by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd. and owned by CP Rail, this Edwardian-era steamship liner was brought to Kingston in October 2023. It opened for tours in May 2024 following a restoration which included $250,000 in support through the Tourism Growth Program and is attracting visitors from around the world.
In addition to this support, the Great Lakes Museum received over $77,000 from Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to renovate their historic Pump House, which still contains the Victorian-era steam engines and pumps that operated the dry dock, functions as a key heritage display and the Museum’s primary programming space. Renovations include making the space “wind and watertight” and more energy efficient, as well as restoring the historic interior and adding a ramp to the Pump Room, making it an important part of the new visitor experience for the S.S. Keewatin.
Additional information on projects receiving support through the Tourism Growth Program is included in the backgrounder. The Government of Canada is investing in tourism projects in the region to support new products and experiences that will support southern Ontario’s tourism economy for generations to come.
“Eastern Ontario offers natural beauty and a rich heritage to the many tourists who visit each year. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian tourism experiences, like the Great Lakes Museum, as they expand their offerings and welcome visitors to their must-see attractions in the region.” – Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario