Government of Canada supports the City of Markham through the Tourism Relief Fund

Government of Canada supports the City of Markham through the Tourism Relief Fund
— City of Markham receives $100,000 from Central Counties Tourism to attract visitors and support future growth — 

December 20, 2022 – MARKHAM, ON – The tourism sector is vital to the economy and jobs in Markham. The City of Markham received a non-repayable contribution of $100,000 from Central Counties Tourism to enhance and grow four annual city events. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Central Counties Tourism received $8.65 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.

Following two years of having to cancel all in-person events, this investment supported the City of Markham’s efforts to adapt and recover in order to attract new visitors and drive economic growth.

The City offers numerous events throughout the year that provide residents and visitors of all ages with opportunities to celebrate our rich heritage, culture and diversity. The federal funding was used this year for the following events:

• Canada Day at Markham Centre. This annual celebration returned to a new location to accomodate growing attendance. The day’s festivities featured headline entertainment, children’s activities, food trucks and fireworks.
• Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival. A one-day outdoor event held at Aaniin Community Centre, designed for families with kids. This festival is the longest running and largest festival for children in the GTHA.
• Applefest. An annual tradition held at the beginning of fall at Markham Museum. It featured access to museum exhibits, train rides, live entertainment, apple treats, fresh apple cider, food trucks and more.
• Scaryfest. Markham Museum was transformed into a ghoulishly grand Halloween town for families with young children to enjoy. 
  
   

Quotes

“Our government is happy to invest $78 million through the Tourism Relief Fund to help communities across southern Ontario rejuvenate local tourist attractions. With this funding, southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario are providing hundreds of local businesses and organizations with the support they need to create jobs, attract more visitors and grow local economies, now and into the future.”

The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“We are incredibly thankful to the Government of Canada and Central Counties Tourism for providing the City of Markham with this generous funding to support the reintroduction and growth of events in Markham. Building strong, engaging and culturally diverse activities throughout the year positions Markham as a popular destination, encouraging those from across the GTA and beyond to visit year-round and experience all aspects of Markham while they’re here.”

His Worship Frank Scarpitti, Markham Mayor

“The visitor economy creates thriving, vibrant communities across Ontario. Visitors bring new money into a community and for many businesses in York, Durham and Headwaters, these additional revenues can mean the difference between staying solvent and having to shutter their doors forever. Central Counties Tourism applauds the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of growing our collective capacity to welcome and entertain visitors. Its investment in tourism is helping municipalities and individual businesses build compelling destinations that will attract visitors and residents alike. The economic impact from the Tourism Relief Fund will be felt for years.”

Chuck Thibeault, Executive Director, Central Counties Tourism

Associated Links

• City of Markham
• Central Counties Tourism
• FedDev Ontario
• Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

 — 30 — 

Contacts

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Kisha Powell
Media Relations & Communications Specialist 
City of Markham
kpowell@markham.ca

Chuck Thibeault
Executive Director
Central Counties Tourism
cthibeault@centralcounties.ca

About Markham
Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 356,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high-tech and life-science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. 

About Central Counties Tourism
Central Counties Tourism (CCT) was established as a regional tourism organization in 2010 under a framework developed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mandate is to identify sustainable best product and practices that will build a stronger and more competitive tourism industry within the York, Durham, and Headwaters regions. CCT is funded by the Ontario Government and managed as a not-for-profit organization by a voluntary tourism industry board. CCT’s mission is to increase tourism in the region by promoting and developing unique and competitive tourism products that attract high yield visitors from outside the Central Counties region.

About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.