SERIES OF PROVINCIAL FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS SUPPORT TOURISM SECTOR

This week, Minister Lisa MacLeod announced new funding for the tourism sector, aimed supporting recovery of the industry. The funding announcements include:

Supporting recovery and sustainability for the music industry:
The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million through the Unison Benevolent Fund's COVID-19 Relief Program and the Canadian Live Music Association. This funding will help ensure Ontario's music industry is strong, vibrant and remains a source of pride for the province.

Supporting non-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations:
An investment of $105 million through the new Community Building Fund to support non-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations. The funding, administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, includes $55-million for community non-profits to sustain operations and create new experiences and events such as winter activities and local sport and recreation programming; and $50-million for municipalities and non-profit organizations to carry out sport- and recreation-facility infrastructure repairs. The application deadline is April 28.

Supporting local events and programming:
An investment of $20 million through the 2021 Reconnect Festival and Event Program to provide support to event organizers who are finding new and engaging ways to deliver local programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application deadline is April 20.

The funding announcements follow the establishment of the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, announced last week by Minister MacLeod. The announcements also come in advance of the Ontario government’s provincial Budget, being tabled next week on March 24.

CITY REQUESTS MODIFIED GREY ZONE TO OPEN ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES AND AMENITIES

The City of Toronto is asking for modifications to the Grey Zone that would allow for outdoor patio dining and outdoor exercise. The request comes as Toronto balances combating COVID-19 while listening to the needs of residents and businesses. A decision from the Province is expected soon. 

MORE INSIGHTS FROM TOURISM AND HOPSITALITY INDUSTRY LEADERS

Destination Toronto continues to share insights from industry leaders by asking them 3 questions each Friday in March. Find out more about how the pandemic has impacted businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector, including insights this week from leaders in industries greatly impacted by the pandemic - retail, museums, and hotels. The three new insights, along with the complete series, are found below.

CITY HALL LIVE SPOTLIGHT: EVERY THURSDAY AT 7:30

The City of Toronto is launching the City Hall Live Spotlight series, in support of Unison Benevolent Fund. The concert series brings livestreamed concerts every Thursday as part of the City’s ShowLoveTO campaign. The new series kicked off yesterday with award-winning Colombian-Canadian artist Lido Pimienta from the Phoenix Concert Theatre.

The City is actively promoting ToGoToronto.com alongside City Hall Live Spotlight, encouraging locals to enjoy takeout and delivery while watching the livestream. 

TORONTO ADDS 34 NEW NEIGHBOURHOODS

The City of Toronto has updated the number of social planning neighbourhoods, going from the 140 in place since the 1990s to 158, reflecting how Toronto has changed throughout the years. In total, 16 former neighbourhoods are being replaced by 34 new ones that now include Wellington Place, Fort York-Liberty Village, Harbourfront CityPlace, Ryerson, and West Queen West. 

CANADA-US BORDER RESTRICTIONS EXTENDS TO APRIL 21

This week, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the Canada-US Border will remain closed to non-essential travel until April 21. With the most recent 30-day extension, the Canada-US border closure moves past the one year mark.

INDUSTRY NEWS

A ‘Whale’ of an Exhibit comes to the ROM: The Royal Ontario Museum is launching, Great Whales: Up Close and Personal, showcasing a commitment to Canada’s iconic North Atlantic whales. The exhibition features Blue, the ROM’s beloved blue whale, alongside two newly acquired skeletons. The Exhibition runs from June 26 to March 20, 2022.

Opera House launches THE HUB, a content creation studio: With the pandemic shuttering live music, the Opera House is transforming its space into THE HUB - a full broadcast + content capture studio. The space serves as a multi-faceted solution for all areas of the creative, entertainment and corporate spheres including concerts, keynote speeches, product launches, comedy shows, information sessions and content capture.