Government of Canada Supports Loto-Quebec World Choral Festival

LAVAL, QUEBEC, Jul 09 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government
Services, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry,
today announced the Government of Canada's investment of $200 000 to
support the 2009 Loto-Quebec World Choral Festival.

"Today's announcement is exciting news to all involved in the Loto-Quebec
World Choral Festival," said Minister Paradis. "The funding from the
Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government's recognition of
the real impact the World Choral Festival has on our local economy."

"The World Choral Festival of Laval is extremely proud to be able to
count on support from the Government of Canada this year," said Gregory
Charles, President of the Loto-Quebec World Choral Festival. "The first
years are pivotal for a large-scale international cultural festival such
as the World Choral Festival. The Government of Canada's support is
timely and helps not only to maintain our festival's success, but also to
catapult it even further. We would like to thank the Government of Canada
for its recognition of the World Choral Festival of Laval's quality and
potential on both the national and international scenes."

Since its inception in 2005, the Loto-Quebec World Choral Festival has
brought together tens of thousands of choir members, popular performers,
musicians, orchestras and artistic collaborators from all over the world,
all presenting original artistic pieces. Each festival season offers the
public a wide range of activities within the festival and competition
components.

The Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible to
increase international participation by allowing about 25 of the world's
best choirs to compete in Laval, while supporting the costs of festival
programming and equipment rental. Promotional and marketing activities
abroad will be enhanced, and the festival will be extended to 15 days.

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(http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-tour.nsf/eng/home). 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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