CED awards $500,000 in financial assistance to INFINITY Experiences.
Montréal- A key driver of the economy, the Canadian tourism industry generated over $100 billion in annual revenues before being decimated by the pandemic. Today, the Government of Canada is investing over $40 million to help the tourism industry thrive again and reach its full potential.
Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED, andPablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant, today announced a $500,000 repayable contribution for INFINITY Experiences Inc. This Government of Canada funding will allow INFINITY Experiences to transform its touring exhibition The Infinite into a longer-term installation that will be open to the public by late 2022 or early 2023. Today’s announcement is part of a series of investments totalling over $40 million in strategic projects aimed at ensuring the recovery of Quebec’s tourism sector. All the investments will be confirmed in the spring and summer of 2022.
Founded in 2020 by immersive arts and entertainment pioneers Felix & Paul Studios and PHI Studio, with the support of the Fonds d’investissement de la culture et des communications (FICC), INFINITY Experiences is an innovative startup in a rapidly growing industry. Its experience THE INFINITE is based on virtual reality images captured inside and outside the International Space Station (ISS), as seen in Space Explorers: The ISS experience, the largest production ever filmed in space. Wearing virtual reality headsets, visitors can roam through the ISS as part of this collective, interactive and immersive experience, which lasts 45 minutes and takes place in an 8,000 square‑foot space. Setting up this travelling exhibition on a longer-term basis in Montréal will continue to bring this unique work to life, while also raising the profile of the city’s creative industry.
The Government of Canada recognizes and supports innovative businesses and organizations that are a source of pride in their communities. Quebec’s economic recovery relies, among other things, on a strong tourism industry whose players contribute significantly to the growth of their regions and to the rebuilding of a greener and more resilient economy for all.
“Our government recognizes the importance of Quebec’s tourism industry, both from an economic and social standpoint and on an international level. Our government will always be there for the entrepreneurs and devoted workers in the tourism sector to ensure a sustainable recovery in all regions of Quebec. This is their chance to leverage their creative genius to showcase Canada’s culture and diversity to its many visitors. Today, we are announcing significant investments to allow them to look to the future. The support for INFINITY Experiences is excellent news for Montréal and the city’s drawing power.” – Pascale St-Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome–Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED
“The past few years have not been easy, and the $40 million investment announced today for our tourism industry once again demonstrates our solid commitment to enabling the recovery of tourism throughout Quebec. In addition, the unique experience THE INFINITE, which will be making a grand return to Montréal, will allow us to showcase our creative industry to local and international tourists alike.” – Pablo Rodriguez, Member of Parliament for Honoré-Mercier, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant