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On Monday, July 12, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, launched $500-million in funding for the new Tourism Relief Fund (ending March 31, 2023). Eligible organizations can now submit applications to support the tourism sector in preparing to welcome back domestic travellers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination.
Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) will deliver $485 million directly to businesses and organizations to help them adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. As long-standing on the ground support to economic development and community growth, the RDAs are well positioned to deliver fast and efficient support to the tourism sector.
Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism have also been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In order to close this gap, the Government of Canada is investing a minimum of $50 million of the Tourism Relief Fund in Indigenous tourism projects.
In addition, $15 million, delivered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, will support destination development, seasonal and local attractions, and human resources and skills development.
Applicants must fall under one of the following parameters to be eligible for funding:
- A key supplier/operator in the visitor experience
- Part of a defined tourism cluster or tourism-dependent community
- An anchor product or service in a destination
Eligible applicants must be part of the tourism ecosystem and will include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors. Eligible applicants include:
- incorporated businesses, primarily small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- not-for-profit incorporated organizations (including tourism associations and destination marketing organizations)
- co-operatives (for-profit and not-for-profit)
- municipalities, Municipal Development Corporations, and related entities
- post-secondary institutions
- Indigenous/First Nations/Métis Settlement owned businesses or organizations, an Indigenous organization such as Indigenous-led not-for-profits and organizations which include but are not limited to First Nations as represented by their Chief and Council, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Representative Organizations, Métis and Inuit organizations and Settlements
Read more HERE.
Find more information on eligibility and how to apply through FedDev Ontario HERE.
For Northern organizations, find more information and apply through FedNor HERE.
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