Government of Canada Supports the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jul 14 (MARKET WIRE) --
Mr. Russ Hiebert, Member of Parliament for South Surrey-White
Rock-Cloverdale, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of
Industry, today announced the Government of Canada's investment of more
than $345 000 to support the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair.

"Today's announcement is exciting news to all involved in the Cloverdale
Rodeo and Country Fair," said Mr. Hiebert. "The funding from the Marquee
Tourism Events Program highlights our government's recognition of the
real impact that this rodeo and fair has on our local economy."

"The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is incredibly grateful for this
funding," said Shannon Claypool, President and Publicity Chair of the
Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association. "This announcement is
incredibly important to the future growth and success of our event, which
has a historic and important place in British Columbia. This funding will
be used to expand existing programming and develop new attractions to
grow our attendance as well as attract international visitors to our
event and community."

The five-day family-friendly rodeo and music event takes place annually
on the May long weekend and features one of the best-known rodeo
competitions in North America. Generations of visitors from across
Western Canada and bordering U.S. states have returned year after year to
enjoy the event, which showcases the world's top rodeo athletes and
concert performances by well-known Canadian country music artists.
Numerous attractions are designed to appeal to young families, including
midway rides, a Kidz Zone area and a large traditional country parade.

The Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible for the
Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair to build a new facility to house larger
and more frequent attractions; to install a mobile stage to accommodate
more acts during the festival; to develop new entertainment acts to
target the fast-growing regional South Asian community; and to enhance
marketing activities to attract visitors from across the western
provinces and bordering U.S. states.

The Government of Canada's Marquee Tourism Events Program is investing
$100 million over two years to assist events such as this one across the
country. This program will help organizers expand the reach of their
events and promote Canada as a must-see tourist destination to visitors
from around the globe.

The Marquee Tourism Events Program is one of several tourism-related
programs announced in 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 the following:

- $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
website. For additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan,
visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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 Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
Pema Lhalungpa - Press Secretary
613-995-9001

Industry Canada
Media Relations
613-943-2502

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