Ontario Supporting Tourism, Job Growth in the North
Investments to Bring More Visitors to the North While Boosting the Economy
Ontario is helping communities create jobs and boost economic growth by supporting projects that will revitalize, expand and increase accessibility in the province’s Northern tourism sector.
Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, was in Thunder Bay today on behalf of Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, to announce new provincial funding for tourism projects across the North. These investments are being delivered through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).
The Wilderness Discovery Handi-Capable Centre is receiving funds for much needed upgrades to electrical, plumbing and other systems and for construction of new facilities to accommodate staff and other upgrades such as a new gazebo and playground. The centre is the only resort of its kind in Northern Ontario, offering a fully accessible wilderness experience to individuals with a physical disability and their families.
This project is one of 14 across the North receiving funding to revitalize, expand and increase accessibility in the tourism sector. Other projects include:
- Larkin Lake Outfitters in Hornepayne received $163,950 to modernize and expand their existing operation with upgrades to the existing buildings, including installing a septic system, upgrading the water supply and purchasing new equipment.
- Brace Lake Outfitters near Nakina received $10,750 to build new guest accommodations and make existing facilities more accessible.
- Eabametoong First Nation received $15,591 to implement a hunting and fishing guide training program for community members interested in owning and operating a camp on traditional land.
- The City of Elliot Lake received $37,500 for upgrades to Mississagi Park, including improvements to the park’s amphitheatre, new lighting, the installation of new playground equipment and renovations to the park’s log cabins.
- [CLICK HERE to view full list of funding recipients]
These investments allow for improvements to be made ahead of the busy summer tourist season and will help bring more visitors to Northern Ontario while creating jobs.
Strengthening the North’s tourism sector is part of the government’s plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, and easier access to affordable child care.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is investing more than $2.2 million in tourism projects that will increase the number of visitors to the North while boosting economic growth.
- The Wilderness Discovery Handi-Capable Centre in Thunder Bay is receiving $400,000 to revitalize their existing facilities and expand their operations.
- These investments support 14 projects that will create 16 full time jobs and dozens of indirect jobs.
- Since 2013, the province has invested more than $654 million through the NOHFC in over 4,000 projects, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in direct economic activity and creating or sustaining over 15,200 jobs in Northern Ontario.
- Through the 2018 budget, Ontario is continuing to promote growth in Northern Ontario by gradually increasing NOHFC funding over the next three years to $150 million by 2020-21.
