A number of London region tourism destinations are on the receiving end of federal funding.
The London Children’s Museum and the Grand Theatre have each received funding as part of a $2.3 million tourism package for 23 projects across southern Ontario.
The funding comes from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Ontario, or FedDev Ontario.
The Children’s Museum has received $200,000 to develop eight brand new permanent exhibits said Museum executive director, Kate Ledgley.
“We’re expecting a significant increase in visitors from near and far. We’re projecting about 150-thousand visitors per year, and about half of those from outside of the city of London,” said Ledgley.
The Grand Theatre has received $130,000 to help stage the production of the musical ‘The Waitress.’
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to produce a large-scale musical,” said Grand Theatre executive director Lindee Hansen. “And as we come back from COVID, you know everything’s been tight. So, to have some more support to help us to re-grow our wings to where we were in a pre-pandemic time is incredibly helpful,” she said.
“I think now more than ever we need to come together as different sectors, especially the sectors that are going to be impacted the most, such as creative sectors like the Grand, and many others, and work together,” said London West Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business.
Funding for other area projects includes $80,000 for the Port Stanley Festival Theatre to expand theatre shows in the off-season, along with $30,000 for the Bluewater International Granfondo to develop Sarnia-Lambton as an international cycling destination by enhancing bike-friendly infrastructure.
The funding announcement was made at London Children’s Museum Monday by Ruby Sahota, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
The funding comes at a time when tourism in Ontario is about to take a dramatic shift given the state of Canada-U.S. relations.
“We want to make sure that [the] American government understands that as well, and that they’re hearing from their local and state governors as to how bad the impact could be, because we are their number one tourists into the U.S.,” explained Sahota.
London North Centre Liberal MP, Peter Fragiskatos, says the way Canadians are showing their pride will have an impact on domestic tourism.
“What we are seeing in this unique moment of Canadian pride is an embrace of Canada. Canadians talking about, instead of going to the U.S., instead of even going abroad, they want to stay in Canada,” he explained.
Here is the complete list of projects and funding:
- Black Artists' Networks in Dialogue - $135,000
- Create a destination for unique arts experiences showcasing Black Canadian history, arts and culture in Toronto.
- Bluewater International Granfondo - $30,000
- Develop Sarnia-Lambton as an international cycling destination by enhancing bike-friendly infrastructure.
- Calabogie Motorsports Park - $150,000
- Develop a new serviced campground and launch a new music festival in Renfrew County.
- Canadian National Exhibition - $75,000
- Introduce a virtual reality exhibition to the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.
- Canoeing the Grand - $50,000
- Expand canoeing activities and overnight accommodations into the winter season for the Waterloo Region.
- CGLCC - Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce - $25,000
- Deliver Rainbow Registered training and accreditation to businesses across southern Ontario.
- The County of Haliburton - $25,000
- Expand the Hike Haliburton Festival in 2025 by enhancing programming and upgrading its digital platform.
- Diversity Cornwall - $40,000
- Expand the 2025 Cornwall Pride Festival with pre-festival workshops, social events, and a larger vendor marketplace in summer 2025.
- Grand Theatre - $130,000
- Attract visitors to enjoy the musical performance of “Waitress” at the Grand Theatre in London, and at the Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton.
- Hot Docs - $150,000
- Present a five-day “Curious Minds Festival,” in Toronto, to showcase Canadian authors and media figures.
- Kayanase - $200,000
- Rebuild a 17th-century traditional longhouse on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Ohsweken.
- LodgePole Arts Alliance - $57,350
- Support Indigenous culture and tourism through, “The Art of Visiting - National Indigenous Presenters Gathering 2025” event on Wolfe Island in October 2025.
- London Children’s Museum - $200,000
- Support the integration of new exhibits at the London Children’s Museum’s new location.
- Niagara Geopark - $80,000
- Develop and launch an AI platform to promote the Niagara Geopark Trail Network.
- The Original Santa Claus Parade - $150,000
- Expand The Original Santa Claus Parade signature events with community activation zones and enhanced digitization in Toronto.
- Ottawa Valley Air Paddle - $50,000
- Create a Winter Adventure Hub offering activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking and guided ice fishing.
- Peterborough Musicfest - $22,000
- Create the “Woven Stories: A Night of Indigenous Music, Culture and Celebration,” celebrating Indigenous culture through music, dance and more.
- Port Stanley Festival Theatre - $80,000
- Expand theatre shows into the off-season.
- Secret City - $150,000
- Create an immersive adventure game at the Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto.
- Thousand Islands Playhouse - $59,150
- Extend the 2025 theatre season into November driving tourist visitation in the shoulder season in Gananoque.
- The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival - $80,000
- Create a series of headliner programs for live comedy events in Prince Edward County.
- The Township of Wellesley - $180,000
- Extend and enhance trail networks to attract visitors.
- Vivace Estate Winery - $150,000
- Expand year-round events and wine-tasting areas through infrastructure renovations, expansion and additions in Amherstburg.
Source: FedDev Ontario
