Government of Canada Supports the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jun 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Small Business and
Tourism), today announced the Government of Canada's investment of more
than $265 000 to support the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival.

"Every summer, the Toronto Jazz Festival attracts thousands of tourists
to the Greater Toronto Area, providing an economic boost to businesses,
restaurants and hotels," said Minister of State Ablonczy. "Our government
is proud to support this world-renowned festival that is recognized as
one of North America's premier jazz festivals, bringing big jazz artists
to our city while showcasing Toronto's local talent to international
visitors."

"We are delighted with the Government of Canada's announcement to help
fund this year's TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival. This type of
funding is crucial to the success of maintaining such a great event, the
largest music festival in Toronto," stated Patrick Taylor, Executive
Producer. "Funding such as this enables the festival to reach out to a
more diverse audience and encourages travel and tourism to the city of
Toronto as a premier destination."

This new investment will help the Toronto Jazz Festival to enhance
international and domestic marketing and promotional efforts, including
the addition of a unique restaurant guide and map. The guide and map are
designed to increase tourism spending by featuring over 40 official
festival locations where visitors can eat, drink and enjoy great music.
Programming enhancements will include adding new artists to the
festival's headline concert performances, as well as adding a new venue,
the Canon Theatre, in the heart of downtown Toronto.

The Government of Canada, through the Marquee Tourism Events Program, is
investing $100 million over two years to assist marquee events across the
country. This budget funding will help event organizers expand their
reach and promote Canada as a must-see tourist destination to visitors
from around the globe. Additional projects are now being reviewed, and
successful applicants are expected to be announced at a future date.

Funding is provided through the Marquee Tourism Events Program, which is
one of several tourism-related programs in the Government of Canada's
Economic Action Plan. These programs provide measures to support Canada's
economy, stimulate the growth of tourism and contribute to the
development of Canada's visitor economy over the long term. They include:

- $150 million over two years for national parks and historic sites; and

- $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission for
domestic and international marketing.

For more information, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program
(http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-tour.nsf/eng/home) website. For
additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca (http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).

BACKGROUNDER

The Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP)

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $100 million in funding over two
years for marquee tourism events that draw a significant number of
tourists to Canada.

Marquee tourism events provide significant cultural, sporting and
recreational opportunities for Canadians and attract national and
international audiences to all parts of the country. Support for these
events contributes to Canada's visitor economy by sustaining or
increasing the level of tourism and tourism-related spending that
benefits hotels, restaurants and a variety of small and medium-sized
businesses.

As a result, the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) will provide
funding to support annually recurring, world-class events that generate
significant levels of tourism and that aim to attract a significant
amount of international media attention to Canada as a tourism
destination. Events must be well-established and have a tradition of
programming excellence.

The Government of Canada recognizes that tourism is an important driver
of economic activity in all regions of Canada and that further expansion
of Canada's tourism industry can increase tourism export revenues and
provide stimulus to the economy at a critical time.

The program requirements are strict and targeted. All interested
applicants for the MTEP must demonstrate how their event will contribute
to the objectives of the program to help events deliver enhanced
world-class programs and experiences, thereby increasing or sustaining
the number of tourists from within and outside Canada. If funding is
provided, all applicants will be required to provide annual audited
financial statements for the years in which funding is received and the
two years following the completion of the proposed project. An
independent study examining the economic impact of the funding is also
required. Applicants will also be subject to monitoring and independent
audits for the funds received.

The economic impact of the tourism industry is significant, representing
2 percent of Canada's gross domestic product, over 662 900 jobs in all
regions across the country and $20 billion in government revenues.

Canada's Economic Action Plan is intended to stimulate the economy and
invest in our long-term growth. The tourism initiatives in this plan lay
out a framework for branding Canada as a tourism destination of choice
for domestic and international visitors.

Contacts:
Office of the Honourable Diane Ablonczy
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
Catherine Godbout
613-947-5856
613-668-5406 (cell)

Industry Canada
Media Relations
613-943-2502

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