FedDev Ontario invests over $485,000 in Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce to support inclusive tourism
June 27, 2022 - Toronto, Ontario
Pride Season in June is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & 2-Spirit (LGBTQ2+) peoples in Canada and around the world. The Government of Canada is committed to helping businesses and organizations that recognize the important contributions of Canada's LGBTQ2+ peoples, as they safely welcome back visitors to celebrate diversity, inclusion and pride.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, announced a Government of Canada investment of nearly $487,000 in Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce to support inclusive tourism.
Through this non-repayable Tourism Relief Fund investment, the Chamber will deliver inclusion workshops to increase education in the tourism industry. It will also deliver the Destination Audit program, which helps tourism destinations assess their LGBTQ2+ travel or tourism strategies. This project will also provide Rainbow Registered accreditation for businesses across southern Ontario demonstrating LGBTQ2+ inclusive policies and practices that meet industry standards. The announcement took place at The Anndore House, a Rainbow Registered business, which participated in the Chamber's inclusive programming, funded by FedDev Ontario, and received accreditation.
Supporting the inclusive economic recovery of Canada's tourism industry is a key priority for the Government of Canada.
