Canada has much to offer visitors: breathtaking landscapes and wide-open spaces; diverse and inclusive experiences; and welcoming people from coast to coast to coast who provide outstanding service. Combined with a strong focus on health and safety and high COVID-19 vaccination rates, Canada is among the most alluring and smartest destination choices.
The pandemic has had an undeniable impact on Canada's tourism sector. The Government of Canada continues to help tourism businesses recover and position the industry for strong future growth.
Federal government helps Sculpture Saint John shape new opportunities
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced an investment of $181,535 for Sculpture Saint John through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF).
This support is helping Sculpture Saint John host an international symposium from August 11 to September 10, 2022 that has attracted renowned stone sculptors to the Saint John waterfront. These artists are publicly creating eight world-class sculptures that will be permanently placed in communities throughout New Brunswick, including Moncton, Dieppe, Oromocto, Deer Island, Grand Bay - Westfield, and Saint John. The event is a major tourism draw, expected to attract 32,000 visitors to the area. The increased traffic will help businesses and other tourism operators in the area, providing a boost to the local economy.
Launched in July 2021, the TRF was created to help organizations and businesses in the tourism sector adapt their operations to meet public health requirements, offer innovative products and services to visitors and prepare to welcome back travellers. The TRF is administered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
