Province announces $500,000 for Sarnia-area tourism sector

The Sarnia-region tourism sector received a more than $500,000 boost Tuesday from the provincial government to help it survive the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

Lisa MacLeod, minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture, announced the funding at the marina on Sarnia Bay named for Andy Brandt, a former leader of her party who attended the event with Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey.

“Our sectors were hit first, the hardest and will take the longest to recover,” MacLeod said.

Tuesday’s funding was made through the province’s community museum operating grants, the Celebrate Ontario program and Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The funding includes more than $22,000 for the Oil Museum of Canada in Oil Springs, $17,000 for the Moore Museum, $2,000 for the Sombra Museum, $19,000 for the South Western International Film Festival, nearly $60,000 for Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, $29,000 for the Bluewater Borderfest Music Festival and $30,800 for the Centre Cultural Francophone Jolliett.

MacLeod said that because of COVID-19, tourism and culture industries in Ontario have lost “$20 billion and counting.”

The sector relies on people gathering, travelling and attending the arts, she said.

MacLeod said she has confidence in Sarnia-area officials and agencies to “safely bring people back to this community at a time that is appropriate.”

While venues and events receiving the funding aren’t currently open to the public, or have been postponed, MacLeod said the funding is aimed at helping ensure they will still be there when they’re able to welcome visitors again.

Bailey said tourism is his riding’s third-largest economic sector. “Summer is obviously different this year but I’m optimist that with key investments like this from the provincial government we will see local tourism numbers rebound quickly and people will have even more reasons to visit beautiful Lambton County.”

Mary Jean O’Donnell, chairperson of both the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Sarnia-Lambton, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled.”

She said there initially was concern that some of the funding being offered by the province would have to all be spent this year. That would have been a challenge for festivals and seasons that have been postponed, and venues still not open to visitors.

“That was really a joyful announcement that they’re changing their mind on that and allowing those funds to be spent into 2021,” O’Donnell said.

MacLeod said the regional tourism organization is also receiving $350,000 for local marketing programs.

The Sarnia Observer 
By Paul Morden
August 11, 2020
Original Article