March 20, 2019 (Brandon, MB) – The Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE) is pleased to see one of their recommendations to the Federal Finance Committee has been implemented.
Last fall, CAFE provided recommendations to the Federal Finance Committee for consideration to support fairs and events across Canada.
After the release of the 2019 federal budget yesterday afternoon, the government announced $24 million over two years to support, “more festivals, large-scale and community-based celebrations and commemoration initiatives.” This funding will be provided to the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program and the Celebration and Commemoration Program.
“We are very pleased that our recommendation is represented in the budget,” says Christina Franc, Executive Director of CAFE, “however, we will continue to meet with stakeholders to ensure that our industry is eligible for these grants and our events are considered cultural and heritage events under the definitions related to these funding opportunities, in line with another recommendation.”
CAFE also welcomes funding that will directly and indirectly support the industry and our communities. Funding to support capital infrastructure repairs, the proposed Canadian Experiences Fund, improved rural broadband internet and improving efficiency in buildings are all programs that will help fairs and events across Canada become sustainable and competitive, particularly in rural communities.
“Our organization and members don’t necessarily fit nicely into one federal department. We are agriculture, we are tourism, we are Canadian heritage,” says Franc, “and so we will work with our industry to make the best use of these opportunities while continuing to work for more structured funding dedicated to our industry.”
A final consideration CAFE would like to see in the future is dedicated funding to the newly created department of Rural and Economic Development to move their mandate forward without having to rely on inter-departmental funding.
Over the past year, CAFE presented a brief to the finance committee, made a presentation in Manitoba, and met with several Ministers of Parliament in order to ensure there was a strong voice at the federal level for fairs and events. CAFE is a charitable, service-based organization established in 1924 that represents almost 800 rural and urban events across Canada that see 35 million visitors each year and contribute $1 billion to the Canadian economy. CAFE supports stakeholders who have a direct interest and link with the Canadian fair and exhibition industry.
For more information:
Christina Franc, Executive Director
1-800-663-1714 Ext. 700 | christina@canadian-fairs.ca
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