Ontario – On behalf of Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre; and Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, announced an investment of over $1.3 million for 11 tourism organizations across the Niagara Region and surrounding areas that are diversifying their offerings and contributing to attracting new visitors to the region. This includes four projects that support Indigenous tourism.
| Recipient Name | Project | Funding Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Corporation of the City of St. Catharines | Develop and implement a strategic plan for the City of St. Catharines’ and the Town of Lincoln’s newly created Destination Marketing Organization. | $30,000 |
| The Foster Festival | Extend the performance season with a new Canadian production in St. Catharines. | $40,000 |
| Heartland Forest Nature Experience | Install augmented reality Indigenous interpretive exhibits in Niagara Falls. | $100,000 |
| Landscape of Nations 360 | Develop and implement Indigenous experiential tours in the Niagara region. | $180,000 |
| Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum | Design and install new, accessible exhibit displays with technology in Niagara-on-the-Lake | $100,000 |
| The Niagara Parks Foundation | Support the development of a new outdoor artificial ice skating loop in Niagara Falls. | $100,000 |
| Niagara’s South Coast Tourism | Support the development of Indigenous tourism products and experiences in south Niagara. | $78,000 |
| Pumpkins After Dark | Expand the pumpkin festival in Milton with the addition of a new barn to allow for more attractions for visitors. | $200,000 |
| The 13th Street Winery | Complete facility improvements and develop pedestrian pathways in St. Catharines. | $120,000 |
| Town of Lincoln | Support the creation of the Sho’aríshon Indigenous Cultural Park in Lincoln. | $250,000 |
| Urban Tractor Farm Winery | Enhance the visitor centre, add amenities and extend tourism activities to all seasons at the winery located near Beamsville. | $120,000 |