The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund has been renewed for 2014-15. That will come as good News to several local festivals, says Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
“After months of uncertainty, I’m pleased the government has clarified its intentions on the future of this program,” said the Perth-Wellington MPP. “It’s important for our local festivals to be able to plan for the future.”
The fund is intended to invest in the development, promotion and presentation of cultural tourism events.
Earlier in the year, local festivals including the Stratford Festival, Stratford Summer Music and Drayton Entertainment contacted Pettapiece regarding the status of this program, which had been set to expire. They asked that it continue, the MPP stated in a press release.
Pettapiece said he wrote several times to the former Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
After receiving no information from the government before the June provincial election, Pettapiece again followed up with Michael Coteau, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, to request an update on the status of the fund.
On July 21, Pettapiece received an email from Coteau, stating the government has renewed the fund for 2014-15.
“I want to recognize all of our local festivals for successfully pushing to get this fund renewed,” Pettapiece said. “They all do so much to bring tourists to our area, and I was happy to support them.”
On July 9 in the Ontario legislature, Pettapiece highlighted the outstanding festivals across Perth-Wellington.
