Thank you, and good afternoon.
The government's financial investment through the marquee tourism events program allowed Canada's major festivals and events to update their infrastructure, expand their marketing research, and improve their product offerings. These activities resulted in a direct impact on job creation and generated major economic spin-offs across the country. A long-term, sustainable funding program would allow major festivals and events to plan for future growth and would go a long way toward establishing Canada as a world-class tourism destination in a very competitive global market for many years to come.
Although the CFC recognizes that MTEP was established as a temporary stimulus program, now that major festivals and events have clearly proven themselves to be significant economic generators—particularly for the tourism industry—and that the impact of federal investment in this area has been demonstrated, the CFC recommends that the government invest $50 million annually for a permanent program for major festivals and events in order to continue and build upon the success of what MTEP has achieved.
Since 2002 Canada's tourism sector has been experiencing a period of serious decline. While there are many reasons for that tourism deficit, one significant cause is a lack of an internationally competitive product. After years of marketing ourselves as a destination for moose, Mounties, and mountains, Canada is simply less compelling. On the other hand, Canada's major festivals and events sector is one of the areas in which we can compete on a global level. Festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, the Carnaval de Québec, the Calgary Stampede, Luminato, and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival are world-leading events. Therefore, the CFC is calling on government to invest in an area in which we are strong and to help us further develop the festivals and events sector.
Canada's major festivals and events provide an economic and cultural gateway to their respective communities and regions. They provide a platform from which other events, destinations, and organizations can draw patronage, sponsorship, and audience. In a way, the marquee event has the potential to be the tide that lifts all local boats.
Thank you.