Northern Manitoba's tourism operators benefit from new federal investments

Government of Canada invests more than $935,000 for tourism-related projects in Churchill

CHURCHILL, MB, Nov. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Northern Manitoba is home to thousands of lakes, vast boreal forest, major tracts of Laurentian Shield, and an Arctic region bordering the Hudson Bay. For many decades, the rich natural resources in the region have attracted national and international visitors through exceptional experiences in Canada's wilderness and northern heritage.

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and
La Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced funding of more than $935,000 for 19 tourism-related projects in Northern Manitoba through the Churchill Region Economic Development (CRED) fund.

These investments advance new initiatives, enhance current opportunities, and assist tourism operators so they may address the additional costs incurred from the rail line closure.

For example, by supporting projects like the Kothari Group, visitors will be able to experience Manitoba's beautiful north by sailing into Churchill, the Canadian Arctic, and Greenland in the summer of 2019. While funding support for Merit Motion Pictures will help produce a National Geographic-supported documentary, March of the Polar Bears, to document polar bears in the Churchill and Kivalliq regions. These visits, whether it is to enjoy Manitoba's natural surroundings or to film the spectacular landscape, will benefit local businesses and tourism operators, and result in new jobs and economic opportunities for western Canadians in the region.  

Other CRED investments announced today will help to the economies of the communities of Churchill and the surrounding area by supporting tourism, business costs, skills training, research, and other economic priorities.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is dedicated to ensuring the long-term prosperity of Churchill and the surrounding area. We recognize that tourism is an essential part of the Churchill economy. Our investments reflect how we are working with the people of Churchill and northern Manitoba to build upon their unique strengths to create opportunities that lead to good jobs and economic growth."
- Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"The Government of Canada is proud to support these tourism initiatives. Working together with Community Futures Manitoba, and local businesses and organizations, we can showcase the tourism gems found in northern Manitoba."
- Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and LaFrancophonie

"Churchill is a world-class tourism destination, and the CRED Fund has been proud to support the tourism sector with project funding. With the coming restoration of rail service through Arctic Gateway, we look forward to continuing to support the expansion of this crucial local industry."
- Jason Denbow, Executive Director, Community Futures Manitoba and Community Futures Saskatchewan

Quick Facts

• In September 2018, the Government of Canada announced an investment of
  $117 million to support the acquisition and repair of Churchill rail line by the Arctic Gateway Group.
• The Churchill Region Economic Development Fund was created to respond to the economic uncertainty facing the Town of Churchill to encourage the short- and long-term sustainable economic development and diversification of local economies, facilitate economic adjustment, and enable collaboration and partnerships leading to enterprise opportunities.
• To date, the CRED Management Committee has approved 46 projects valued at $4.6 million.

Backgrounder

Government of Canada supports tourism in northern Manitoba

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie today announced funding through the Churchill Region Economic Development fund (CRED) with a focus on tourism opportunities.

Funding Amounts:

Proponent	Amount
Boreal Discovery Centre	$  136,000
Gangler's North Seal River – Canoe Trail Mapping	$    41,000
Merit Motion Pictures – March of the Polar Bears Film	$  150,000
Spirit Way & Boreal Discovery Centre – Wolf Centre of Excellence	$  164,060
Churchill Cruises	$  108,690
Nanuk Operations – Nights Under Lights	$    55,479
Community Futures NCD	$    27,000
Frontiers North	$    25,000
Canadian Eskimo Dog Foundation	$    10,215
Tundra Inn	$    25,000
Churchill River Mushing	$      4,154
Nature First Tours	$      1,087
Wapusk Adventures	$      7,505
Aurora Inn	$      8,838
Great White Bear Tours	$    21,916
Seaport Inn	$    25,000
Tundra Inn & Restaurant	$    75,000
Churchill St. Paul's Anglican Church	$    30,000
Itsanitaq Museum	$    19,293
Total Funding:	$  935,238

Churchill and Region Economic Development Fund

• The CRED Fund was developed in 2016 and has played a key role in addressing challenges facing the community through business supports that alleviated the increased cost of shipping goods, and consumer supports such as reducing the price of gasoline in the community.
• CRED is delivered by Community Futures Manitoba with funding decisions made by an independent Management Committee including representation from key industry, private sector, community stakeholders, and northern Community Futures organizations.
• The $4.6 million Fund was increased to $7.3 million in November 2017 to support economic recovery in response to the rail line closure in the spring of 2017.
• This funding was originally announced by The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification in a bundle of 40 CRED projects on Thursday, November 1, 2018, in Churchill.

Additional Links

• Opening of rail line and federal investments to revitalize Churchill
• Government of Canada announces support for acquisition and repair of Churchill rail line by Arctic Gateway Group
• Government of Canada Announces $4.6M Fund for Churchill and Region
• Churchill Region Economic Development Fund
• Churchill Region Economic Development Fund – Approved Projects

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

For further information: Jeremy Ghio, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, Email: [e-mail]; Nathalie Leroux, Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Telephone: [phone], Email: [e-mail]; Jason Denbow, Executive Director, Community Futures Manitoba and Community Futures Saskatchewan, 204-975-0746, [e-mail]