November 10, 2022 – St. Jacobs, Ontario
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting tourism in southern Ontario by ensuring local businesses, and the organizations that support them, have the tools they need to position themselves for a strong and resilient economic future.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, announced that the St. Jacobs Market received $100,000 under the Tourism Relief Fund.
Through this investment, the funding will the St. Jacobs Market will help to increase capacity and create a sheltered area for vendors during the fall/winter months at the market, while also creating space for a night market and other themed events.
Today’s investment reinforces the Government of Canada’s commitment to helping tourism businesses and communities safely welcome back visitors, create jobs, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
Quotes
“Our government recognizes that tourism is vitally important to the vibrancy and economic health of communities across southern Ontario. I am committed to helping businesses find new and innovative ways to recover and thrive once again. Investments through the Tourism Relief Fund help ensure that the region’s tourism sector will be well-positioned to welcome back visitors today and in the years to come.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will work with businesses and organizations through these challenging times, ensuring they get support to innovate in their products and services as well as to grow and thrive, all while keeping safety as the top priority. The Tourism Relief Fund helps businesses adapt to welcome back guests safely. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector recover from the pandemic and build an economy that works for everyone. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”
- The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
“The St. Jacobs Farmers' Market is a place where tourism, hospitality and the arts all exist harmoniously. I’m proud to announce a $100,000 investment of federal funding which will allow our incredible farmers, artisans and vendors to serve Waterloo Region during the off-season months and remain a pillar in our community all year round.”
- Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga
“The Market District was thrilled to receive the funding from the Tourism Relief Fund and has used it to purchase and renovate four shipping containers. Typically once the cooler weather arrives, the outdoor market shrink considerably as most vendors aren’t able to sustain their operations. The containers will not only allow vendors to extend their season but they’ll also be integral in helping the Market host more events in the off season. The finished containers will be unveiled November 18th at our Sip and Shop Night Market event when eight local craft breweries and distilleries will sell seasonal cocktails to Market guests.”
- Joanna Loebach, General Manager of the St. Jacobs Market District
Quick Facts
• The St. Jacobs Market has been serving the community since the 1950s
• The market hosts hundreds of vendors selling a variety of items from food to art, collectibles and more
• The tourism industry accounts for $39.4 billion of Ontario’s gross domestic product (GDP) and supports more than 820,000 jobs.
• The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth, with a minimum of $50 million of the Fund allocated to supporting Indigenous-led projects or Indigenous-focused projects. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.
