Ontario Supporting Tourism and Culture in the GTA

Funding will protect jobs and maintain operations at six of Ontario’s most popular tourist destinations

THE VOICE OF CANADA-TORONTO – The Ontario government is providing a one-time investment of up to $27 million to support the continued operation, maintenance and capital needs of six major tourism and cultural institutions in the Greater Toronto Area. This funding will protect jobs while ensuring their financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details were provided by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

“Like so many of the province’s heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries, provincial attractions have been among the first and hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – and will take the longest to recover,” said Minister MacLeod. “That’s why I am proud that our government is providing significant support so these cultural institutions can continue to meet their financial obligations, protect jobs and make the repairs and renovations needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Once it is safe to do so, these agencies and attractions will be ready to welcome the return of guests from around the globe, and highlight why Ontario offers the world in one province.”

The government will be providing financial support to the following ministry agencies and attractions:

• The Metro Toronto Convention Centre will receive up to $9.6 million in stabilization funding for operating costs.
• The Royal Ontario Museum will receive up to $9.5 million in stabilization funding to support museum operations, as well as $300,000 for capital repairs.
• The Ontario Science Centre will receive up to $4.35 million in stabilization funding to support the ongoing operation of their facilities, as well as $890,000 for capital repairs.
• The McMichael Canadian Art Collection will receive up to $1.2 million in stabilization funding for operating costs, as well as $50,000 for capital repairs to support maintenance of the gallery and grounds.
• The Art Gallery of Ontario will receive $705,000 to support critical infrastructure upgrades to the building’s cooling, heating and ventilation systems, as well as the installation of touchless washroom devices.
• The Royal Botanical Gardens will receive $430,000 for infrastructure projects that wi ll increase the safety of visitors and staff by reducing the spread of COVID-19.

While ministry agencies and attractions in the Toronto area are temporarily closed in accordance with the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health guidelines, many offer free virtual tours and interactive learning opportunities for all ages. Please visit their respective websites for more information.

QUICK FACTS

• In total, the government is investing up to $62.8 million to support 11 attractions across the province with emergency stabilization funding and funding for capital repairs and renovations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support and Recover sets out a total of $45 billion in support over three years to make available the necessary health resources to continue protecting people, deliver critical programs and tax measures to support individuals, families and job creators impacted by the virus, and lay the groundwork for a robust long-term economic recovery for the province.
• The government is building on earlier relief to provide a total of $13.5 billion in direct support for families, workers and employers, in addition to $11.3 billion in cash flow support.