As we have been able to see over the past year, there being no festivals and events has led to a lack felt in all of Canada's communities. I am thinking of the owners of restaurants along Grande Allée, in Quebec City, who have said how much the lack of festivals and events has hurt them. I have seen reports on the Calgary Stampede. Its absence has created a huge shortfall. The situation is the same everywhere, such as in Toronto and in the Maritimes.
Traditionally, events and festivals are vaguely intended to get people to go somewhere. That is part of their plan. People spend money not only at festivals or events, but also in the surrounding areas. The studies we conducted with KPMG on economic benefits show that one–third of festival spending generally stems from restaurants and that 23% of spending is generally related to accommodations, be it a hotel or a rental through Airbnb. So there is a trickle–down effect to sectors surrounding festivals and events.