NEWS RELEASE
ANN HOGGARTH, BARRIE MPP
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Ontario is supporting festivals and theatre in Barrie that will draw tourists, stimulate the economy and create jobs.
Through the Celebrate Ontario 2016 program, the province is helping a pair of events in Barrie that showcase Ontario’s culture, heritage and diversity, while also enhancing visitor experiences and increasing attendance.
Local festivals and events receiving support include:
- Budweiser New Music Fest - $36,000
- Talk is Free Theatre - $45,000
Investing in festivals and events is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs.
The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education.
The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low- carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
QUOTES
“The Celebrate Ontario program puts the spotlight on Barrie, drawing visitors and residents to enjoy and discover our unique region in new and exciting ways. Through our government’s support, we are helping local festivals and events in Barrie grow, creating jobs and stimulating our local economy,” said Ann Hoggarth, Barrie MPP.
“Ontario is home to many unique and diverse festivals and events that showcase our province and attract visitors from all over the world. I’m proud that through Celebrate Ontario, our government continues to support this vibrant sector. Our investment will help festivals and events offer new and expanded experiences that will support local economic growth, create jobs and draw tourists to communities across the province,” said Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
“This year's funding is instrumental in making a revolutionary idea possible - to have a major classic musical staged around various sites in the city and to have an audience, and the cast, travel from one location to the next in the course of the performance. In fact, Barrie itself will play River City, Iowa, in our ground-breaking production of The Music Man, which will become a major tourist draw to our region. As always, this would not have been possible without the critical financial investment of the Province of Ontario, for which we are immensely grateful," said Arkady Spivak, Artistic Producer of Talk Is Free Theatre.
QUICK FACTS
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In 2016, the Ontario government will support two Celebrate Ontario festivals and events in Barrie.
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Across the province this year, Ontario is investing $15.3 million through Celebrate Ontario to support 200 festivals and events that will draw tourists, stimulate local economies and create jobs.
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Tourism in Ontario generates over $28 billion in economic activity and supports more than 359,000 direct and indirect jobs in Ontario.
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