Published plans and annual reports 2022–2023: Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries

Ministry overview

Ministry’s vision

The Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries promotes economic growth and works to improve quality of life by supporting and delivering tourism and cultural experiences, supporting the arts and cultural industries and championing participation in sport and recreation activities across Ontario.

To achieve this, the ministry will:

• collaborate with the tourism industry and regional tourism organizations to increase tourism visitation and bring international investment
• invest in festivals and events across the province
• protect cultural heritage resources
• support community museums and heritage organizations
• support the arts and the creative economy
• fund public libraries
• support community projects and engagement
• promote active lifestyles and participation in sport, recreation and physical activity

The ministry will also continue to oversee the activities and accountabilities of its attractions and agencies to enhance their contributions to Ontario’s economic and social well-being.

Looking towards the future, the ministry is transforming Ontario Place into a world class, year-round destination that will attract local, provincial and international visitors — including exciting sport and entertainment landmarks, public spaces and parks, recreational facilities and retail. It is central to the recovery of heritage, culture, recreation and tourism for all Ontarians post pandemic — both as a tourism destination but also as a display of our strong cultural identity. A redeveloped Ontario Place will bring many benefits to the region, including job creation and boosts to the tourism industry.

COVID‑19 response

Tourism, the arts and creative industries, museums and public libraries, amateur sport and recreation activities were among the first hit by the pandemic. The ministry acted quickly to protect and support heritage, sport, tourism and culture sectors by taking immediate steps such as adapting programs to expedite funding in a nimble and responsive way to support businesses and organizations as they pivoted to a new way of doing business during the pandemic. The ministry also made a number of strategic investments to stabilize sectors to support their recovery.

Ministry programs

Investments in ministry programs promote economic development in communities across the province, create jobs and opportunities for people, and help communities thrive and succeed by showcasing their strengths to potential visitors.

Heritage, tourism and culture programs

The ministry is responsible for strategic policy, programs and services, and research initiatives related to tourism, the arts and cultural industries, archaeology, museums, heritage, and public libraries in Ontario.

The ministry engages with and works alongside sector organizations and stakeholders to:

• support regional planning and economic development through the Regional Tourism Organizations to build a stronger, more competitive tourism industry
• encourage and promote Ontario’s cultural tourism products
• support professional arts activity as a driver of community well-being and economic vitality
• cultivate growth in creative industries such as film, television, book and magazine publishing, music and interactive digital media to make Ontario a leader in the knowledge-based economy
• raise the profile of Ontario as a place to invest in tourism and creative industries
• support new product and experience development and enhance festivals and events across the province
• foster community capacity in the conservation of Ontario’s heritage
• raise the profile of Ontario as a province rich in cultural, heritage and archaeological resources

Tourism sector support and promotion — The ministry provides a range of tourism sector supports and delivers a strategic set of coordinated programs and activities to maximize the industry’s growth and contribution to Ontario’s economy. These initiatives include targeted investments to attract or enhance festivals and events. This also includes focused planning and economic development activities through Regional Tourism Organizations. The ministry works to maximize opportunities for growth and development through investment attraction, business advisory services, and tourism sector research, actively attracting and supporting private sector investment and development initiatives in Ontario.

Ontario’s creative economy programs and services — The ministry provides grants and business development assistance to stimulate production, investment, job creation and growth in cultural media industries — film and television production, recorded and live music, book and magazine publishing and interactive digital media.

Cultural media tax credits — The ministry provides refundable tax credit programs to incentivize production in the film and television, interactive digital media and book publishing industries to enhance Ontario’s competitiveness, stimulate job creation and investment and sustain sector growth.

Arts sector support – Through funding programs for artists, artist educators, not-for-profit organizations, training institutions and cultural tourism partners, the ministry supports artistic creation and presentation, organizational development and training programs to create a competitive and skilled workforce.

Library sector support — The ministry administers the Public Libraries Act, supports cooperation and coordination between libraries and library service boards, provides operating grant programs, project funding, advice and outreach to increase library sustainability and improve capacity while encouraging innovation. Programs help the province’s public and First Nations libraries and sector support organizations to deliver services and programs that are responsive to evolving local needs and help Ontarians learn and succeed in the knowledge-based economy.

Heritage sector support — The ministry employs a range of tools to support the promotion and conservation of heritage across the province. The ministry administers the Ontario Heritage Act and its regulations, which support the conservation of cultural heritage resources within the province, including built heritage, and archaeology. The ministry provides core operating grants along with advice and outreach to support community museums and heritage organizations in promoting the stories of Ontario’s communities. The ministry regulates archaeologists and sets standards of practice to ensure that archaeological resources are conserved. The ministry also provides advice and support to municipalities, partner ministries, and Indigenous communities on the Ontario Heritage Act and matters related to cultural heritage.

Attractions and agencies

The ministry’s attractions and agencies showcase Ontario’s cultural diversity and creativity, as well as its history and cultural heritage, offering learning and entertainment opportunities in venues that have economic, social and historical value to communities and regions throughout the province. These entities promote the cultural fabric of Ontario as well as its economic growth and job creation by offering a range of educational, recreational, cultural and entertainment programs for residents and visitors.

The ministry is responsible for agency relations, governance, appointments, and operating and capital funding for agencies and attractions within its portfolio while driving agency modernization and transformation initiatives.

The ministry is also responsible for Fort William Historical Park and Huronia Historical Parks, two directly operated historic tourist attractions. Both Fort William Historical Park and Huronia Historical Parks act as significant regional economic catalysts through their roles as key tourism attractions, driving economic prosperity and building community partnerships by creating unique visitor experiences.

Ontario Place redevelopment

The ministry is continuing to deliver on the government’s vision to redevelop Ontario Place into a world-class destination, which will bring the iconic destination back to life, both as a tourism destination and as a display of Ontario’s unique cultural identity.

The ministry has engaged Infrastructure Ontario to redevelop Ontario Place, including extensive site preparation work to ensure the site is development ready for private sector partners.

As the ministry continues to move forward, public input is critical to support the planning and redevelopment of the Ontario Place site. The ministry is committed to engaging with and keeping the public informed. The ministry will continue to engage with the public, impacted stakeholders and Indigenous communities, including exploring opportunities for meaningful engagement and representation for Indigenous communities in the redevelopment project.

The ministry is engaging with the City of Toronto to support the redevelopment of the site and is exploring strategic opportunities to collaborate, as the province redevelops Ontario Place, and the city redevelops Exhibition Place. This collaboration will ensure that redevelopment is mutually beneficial for both levels of government and those they serve.

Sport and recreation

The ministry promotes a culture that values sport and physical activity and champions the social and economic benefits of active, engaged living for all Ontarians. The ministry aims to increase capacity within the sport and recreation sector and provide opportunities for all Ontarians to enjoy the benefits of being physically active.

The ministry provides support that enables growth of the sector, increases sport tourism, and provides athletes of all abilities the opportunity to participate and achieve success.

Sport and athlete development — Investments in various programs foster opportunities to strengthen the sport sector and help ensure the sport system welcomes all Ontarians to play organized sport.

The ministry provides funding to provincial and multi-sport organizations as the official governing bodies for their sport in Ontario in alignment with national standards; and funding to delivery partners and athletes for high performance programs and services, coach training and education building leadership in the sector.

Sport events/hosting  — The ministry provides support to national and international amateur sport events hosted in Ontario including the Ontario Games program that funds the delivery of five multi-sport games with an economic impact of over $15 million as well as the Canada Games, which are held every two years and are a celebration of youth, sport, culture and community.

Office of the Athletics Commissioner  — The ministry is responsible for the Office of the Athletics Commissioner, which oversees the rules and regulations governing professional boxing, mixed martial arts and kickboxing. These rules keep participants safe and ensure the integrity of the sports.

Recreation, Indigenous and youth support  — The ministry supports active recreation programs to better support organizations in the delivery of high-quality physical activity experiences that focus on improving physical literacy. The ministry’s support is targeted to groups that lack equitable access to participate, including low-income persons, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.

COVID‑19 response

The ministry undertook several program changes and actions in response to COVID‑19 outbreak, including:

• tripling the budget of the Tourism Development Fund to $1.5 million and creating the revised Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund aimed at supporting projects that develop innovative tourism products and experiences, drive private sector tourism investments, and support capacity building at provincial sector associations
• supporting new and ongoing festivals and events by enhancing their programming, activities and services, and supporting community economic development. The Reconnect Festival and Event Program committed $43M to 439 events and another $6M was committed to Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster events and Luminato
• investing $100 million through the new Ontario Tourism Recovery Program to stabilize the tourism industry and help for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors protect critical jobs in communities across the province
• expediting the release of funding to Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) to ensure timely and seamless continuity of service. RTOs have responded to the COVID‑19 impact on the sector through initiatives that supported local businesses and operators including undertaking hyperlocal promotional initiatives; directly facilitating the creation of innovative, safe products and experiences such as small group tours, drive-throughs/drive-ins, etc.; supporting safe reopening of operators; enhancing operators’ digital assets; and developing regional workforce development solutions.
• working with partner ministries and hotel associations to identify opportunities to utilize available hotel capacity to support health care and other emerging needs
• expediting the release of operating funds to public libraries, community museums, heritage organizations and government agencies and attractions in order to sustain them during the pandemic
• offering a simplified application form for the Community Museum Operating Grant and the Public Library Operating Grant, and deferring required documentation (e.g., audited financial statements) until later in the fiscal year, to reduce the burden for applicants and provide timely grant payments
• establishing 14 Ministerial Advisory Councils (MACs) representing a wide scope of sectors to discuss the economic challenges of the pandemic
• establishing a Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force to provide the government with strategies, tactics and approaches to consider when supporting the economic recovery of the tourism sector in Ontario.
• holding tele-town hall updates on public health restrictions and economic recovery supports hosted by the Minister with hundreds of stakeholders from across Ontario participating since the COVID‑19 pandemic began
• working with provincial sport and recreation partners to ensure that organizations who have experienced revenue shortfalls can remain viable and ready to welcome participants to programming including helping kids and families regain confidence in sport and recreation activities and promote safety in sport
• developed a return-to-play framework for specified professional and amateur sports leagues and events, which was approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) and set out the minimum requirements for the organizers and operators of these leagues and events to reduce and manage the risk of COVID‑19
• the ministry’s agencies and attractions are supporting local economies and welcoming Ontarians and visitors, as they recover from the impact of the pandemic, by re-opening their facilities and service offerings
  • The ministry’s granting agencies (i.e., Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Creates and Ontario Trillium Foundation) continue to support grant recipients as they recover from the impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
  • The Ontario Arts Council fosters the creation and production of art for the benefit of all Ontarians and administers grants to support professional artists and arts organizations based in Ontario in the areas of arts education, Aboriginal arts, community arts, craft, dance, francophone arts, literature, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theatre, touring and visual arts.
  • Ontario Creates supports the entertainment and creative cluster (book publishing, film, television, interactive digital media, magazine publishing, and the music industries).
  • The Ontario Trillium Foundation builds healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector.
• Destination Ontario, as the lead marketing agency for the Province, continues to implement its phased marketing strategy to increase consumer confidence, support the industry, and influence consideration of Ontario as a preferred destination.

2022–23 strategic plan

The ministry supports the government’s recovery plan to invest in prosperity, growth and jobs, which sets out increases to base program spending at an average annual rate of about five per cent over the next three years. The Government’s plan will help build Ontario and ensure the province is the economic engine of Canada, with one of the fastest growing economies in North America.

Through strategic and targeted investments in ministry programs (i.e., tourism, music, arts, museums and galleries, and sport and recreation activities), the ministry will continue to help generate economic activity, create jobs, and boost local economies by creating an environment where businesses and their employees can rebuild and thrive.

For 2022–23, the ministry’s strategic priorities and investments include:

• investing over $64 million for Redeveloping Ontario Place (OP). This funding will help support capital repairs to the existing OP infrastructure and the government’s efforts to transform it to a world-class year-round destination that will attract local, provincial and international visitors. To support the redevelopment of Ontario Place, the ministry is planning a robust engagement process with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities to ensure that as much input as possible is solicited to inform planning of the non-tenanted areas of Ontario Place related to environmental assessments, heritage, public realm design and site servicing
• moving forward with the previously announced temporary Ontario Staycation Tax Credit, which would provide eligible Ontario residents with support of 20 per cent on eligible 2022 accommodation expenses for leisure travel in Ontario of up to $1,000 for an individual or $2,000 for a family. In total, the credit is expected to provide support of an estimated $270 million to about 1.85 million Ontario families and up to a maximum of $200 for an individual and $400 for a family. This credit was implemented beginning January 1, 2022, and is in place until December 31, 2022
• supporting tourism recovery in Niagara Falls by working with the impacted sectors and region to recover to pre-pandemic tourism levels and beyond. Development in the region will play to Niagara’s competitive advantages, diversify the tourism experience, and offer unique reasons to visit and extend stays
• modernizing Ontario’s cultural media tax credits to reflect the latest cultural industry practices and modern distribution channels, in order to attract key investment and high-value jobs in the sector, by proposing to:
  • make regulatory amendments to the Ontario’s film and television tax credits to include professional film and television productions distributed exclusively on online platforms, as recommended by the Film Television Advisory Panel
  • update the Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit to remove the requirement that books be published in hard copy edition of 500 bound books
• exploring opportunities to simplify the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit
• encouraging more film and television production in communities across Ontario by reviewing the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit regional bonus and the eligibility of location fees for the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit. The government will also continue to engage with stakeholders on opportunities to support the industry and expand the film and television production in communities across the province
• Expected outcomes include:
  • help build resilience and maintain capacity in the ministry’s sectors, and those who rely on them for jobs and quality of life
  • position ministry sectors for sustainable economic and social recovery
  • help ministry sectors increase their competitiveness and deliver new, innovative, modernized and inclusive experiences

Detailed financial information

Table 2: Combined operating and capital summary by vote

Historic trend analysis data

For additional financial information, see:

• Expenditure Estimates
• Public Accounts of Ontario: past editions
• 2022 Ontario Budget

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

The ministry is responsible for accountability and oversight of 14 provincial agencies:

McMichael Canadian Art Collection (MCM): Based on a 1965 donation by the McMichael family, the MCM is a major public art gallery devoted to the collection and exhibition of Canadian art.

Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation (MTCC): The MTCC manages a world-class convention facility in Toronto with more than 600,000 square feet of exhibit space, meeting rooms, ballroom space and a 1,330-seat theatre to host international and national conventions, trade and consumer shows.

Niagara Parks Commission (NPC): Established in 1885, the NPC is mandated to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River corridor for the enjoyment of visitors and future generations.

Ontario Arts Council (OAC) (legally known as the Province of Ontario Council for the Arts): As Ontario’s primary funding body for professional arts activities, OAC provides grants, scholarships and awards for the creation of art to benefit and enrich the lives of Ontarians.

Ontario Creates (OC) (legally known as the Ontario Media Development Corporation): The OC stimulates employment, investment and original content creation in Ontario’s cultural media cluster, including book and magazine publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, and live and recorded music.

Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT): The OHT is mandated to conserve, protect and preserve Ontario’s heritage, including properties of historical, architectural, archaeological, recreational, aesthetic and scenic interest.

Ontario Place Corporation (OPC): The OPC is mandated to operate Ontario Place as a provincial exhibit and recreational centre, developing special programs to enhance the image of the province. To streamline accountability and governance for redevelopment of the Ontario Place site, legislation was passed in December 2018 to enable the eventual dissolution of the Ontario Place Corporation.

Ontario Science Centre (OSC) (legally known as the Centennial Centre of Science and Technology): The OSC depicts, educates and stimulates interest in science and technology and its relationship to society, and Ontario’s role in advancing science and technology.

Destination Ontario (DO) (legally known as the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation): DO promotes Ontario as a travel destination, including joint marketing initiatives in cooperation with the tourism industry, regional tourism organizations, governments and agencies.

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF): The OTF is one of Canada’s leading charitable grant-making foundations. It helps build strong and healthy communities through contributions to charitable and not-for-profit organizations.

Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation (OCC) (operating as the Shaw Centre): The OCC manages a world-class convention facility in Ottawa. The 200,000 square foot facility hosts international and national conventions and consumer and trade shows.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The ROM promotes education, teaching, research and publication and collects and exhibits objects, documents and books to illustrate the natural history of Ontario, Canada and the world, and human history in all the ages. It is one of the largest museums in North America.

Science North (SCN): SCN features several attractions, including a science centre and model mine. It also provides public programming throughout Northern Ontario about science and technology and their relationship to society.

St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC): SLPC provides recreational, cultural and heritage, educational and tourism opportunities at its attractions along 200 kilometres of the St. Lawrence River, including the award-winning heritage attractions: Upper Canada Village and the Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ministry organizational chart

August 2022

• Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries — Neil Lumsden
  • Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries — Sheref Sabawy
  • Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries — Laura Smith
  • Deputy Minister — Nina Chiarelli
    • Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister — Karina Patterson (A)
    • ADM, Sport, Recreation and Recognition – Tyler Currie
      • Director, Sport, Recreation and Community Programs — Patricia Vena
      • Director, Policy Branch — Neil Coburn
    • ADM, Heritage, Tourism and Culture — Katherine Kelly Gatten
      • Director, Culture and Strategic Policy — Lorraine Dooley (A)
      • Director, Programs and Services — Gavin Downing (A)
      • Director, Investment and Development Office — Debbie Jewell
      • Director, Tourism Policy and Research — Tony Marzotto
    • ADM, Transformation and Delivery Office — Michael Robertson (A)
      • Director, Project Delivery — Elaine Shin (A)
      • Director, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations — Rose Hong (A)
    • ADM, Agency Relations and Accountability — Sarah McQuarrie (A)
      • Director, Agency Relations and Accountability — Suzanne Rowe Knight (A)
      • General Manager, Fort William Historical Park — Patrick Morash (A)
      • General Manager, Huronia Historical Parks — Will Baird
      • Director, Financial Performance and Strategy Office — Hena Tyyebi (A)
    • ADM/Chief Administrative Officer, Regional and Corporate Services^{footnote 4[4]} — Melody Robinson
      • Director, Human Resources — Jennifer Stewart^{footnote 5[5]}
      • Director, Corporate Finance — Nadia Eid^{footnote 5[5]}
      • Director, Regional Services and Corporate Support — Marie Campbell^{footnote 5[5]}
      • Director, Strategic Policy Development and Planning — Kristina Lauesen^{footnote 5[5]}
      • Director, Business Services Integration — Michael Van Wyk (A)^{footnote 5[5]}
    • Director, Communications^{footnote 6[6]} — Marc Hudon
    • Legal Director^{footnote 7[7]} — Cheryl Carson (A)
    • Community Services I&IT Cluster CIO/ADM^{footnote 8[8]} — Soussan Tabari

• Ministerial Agencies
  • Destination Ontario
  • Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Ontario Creates
  • Ontario Place Corporation
  • Ontario Science Centre
  • St. Lawrence Parks Commission
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection
  • Metro Toronto Convention Centre
  • Niagara Parks Commission
  • Ontario Arts Council
  • Ontario Trillium Foundation
  • Ottawa Convention Centre
  • Royal Ontario Museum
  • Science North
  • Advisory Council to the Order of Ontario
  • Ontario Honours Advisory Council

Note: “(A)” denotes acting.

Annual report

Investments in ministry programs boost economic growth and employment in local communities across the province and help improve quality of life by promoting and delivering tourism, heritage and cultural experiences and sport and recreation activities.

Below are results the ministry achieved in 2021–22:

Heritage, tourism and culture programs

• Partnered with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to support workforce development initiatives for the culture and tourism sectors including promoting enhanced training on health and safety protocols and quality consumer service.
• Invested $15 million in additional support for the Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) of Destination Toronto and Ottawa Tourism to help stabilize and support the tourism sector’s efforts to attract domestic and international visitors when it is safe to do so.
• Supported 54 cultural tourism organizations with more than $4 million in funding through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund to develop, promote and present high-quality, high-profile events that strengthen the economies of communities across Ontario.
• Invested more than $4.9 million through the Community Museum Operating Grant to support community museums’ continued contribution to local tourism, community well-being and lifelong learning across the province.
• Released a report prepared by the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, which made recommendations on how to support the province’s $38 billion tourism industry recover from the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Invested $24.3 million in Destination Toronto, Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), Ottawa Tourism and the Ottawa Convention Centre (Shaw Centre) to support tourism sector recovery in two of Ontario’s key gateway cities. Destination Toronto and Ottawa Tourism received $9 million and $6 million respectively to assist with workforce development, marketing a regional brand and creating new niche tourism products and activities.
• Provided nearly $50 million to help festival and event organizers deliver innovative and safe experiences that allow people to safely reconnect with their communities as well as ensure the success of the sector.
• Invested $100 million through the new Ontario Tourism Recovery Program to help stabilize the province’s tourism industry as it recovers from the impacts of COVID‑19. The program aims to support for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors protect critical jobs in communities across the province.
• Supported the province’s art sector with a $5 million grant program administered through the Ontario Arts Council. The funding created opportunities for Indigenous artists and arts organizations to reconnect with their audiences and recover from the impacts of COVID‑19 and helped new emerging artists across the disciplines during a pivotal stage in their careers.
• Invested $1.5 million through the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Program to support the return of the Canadian Football League’s championship game to Hamilton. The funding supported the costs associated with hosting the 108th Grey Cup game on December 12, 2021.
• Contributed $27 million to support the public library sector, including the Public Library Operating Grant Pay Equity Grant, First Nation Salary Supplement), the Ontario Library Service Internet Connectivity, Centre for Equitable Library Access and Ontario Library Association.
• Provided up to $10 million through Invest Ottawa and $1.5 million to Ottawa Tourism to support local businesses and destination marketing in Ottawa impacted by the nearly four-week-long occupation near Parliament Hill in January and February 2022. Provided $400,000 to Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation to support tourism recovery after the February 2022 occupation in Windsor.

Sport and recreation programs

• Announced that the City of London will be hosting the 2024 Ontario Summer Games and will be provided with a hosting grant of up to $1 million. Announced that Peterborough will be hosting the 2022 Ontario 55+ Summer Games and will be provided with a hosting grant of up to $135,000.
• Announced an investment of almost $1.5 million through its 2022–23 Sport Hosting Program — Intake I to support 15 national and five international amateur sport events in Ontario. These events will help boost local economies, increase tourism and help athletes train and develop their skills right here at home.
• Announced additional funding of up to $1.1 million to ensure successful delivery of the 2022 Canada Summer Games to offset increased costs from postponing the Games due to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Supported Variety Village with $1 million in funding to help provide physical activity programs for individuals of all ages at its 178,000-square-foot health and fitness facilities located in Scarborough, as well as through partners and virtual offerings across the province.
• Invested up to $1 million with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to support active recreation at the grassroots level, with a focus on women and girls, racialized communities and the LGBTQ2S+ community.
• Provided more than $5.2 million to Indigenous communities and organizations to support opportunities for Indigenous peoples to participate in sport and recreation as athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers, and to participate in land-based activities that support cultural revitalization.
• Invested up to $125,000 in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division to continue building on the international success of Rowan’s Law, which has created a safer environment for athletes to play sports. The funding helps raise awareness of the impact of sport-related injuries on mental health and provides education resources to coaches and parents to help them recognize the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression to ensure young athletes receive essential supports they need to thrive.
• Provided $13.5 million in funding through Ontario’s After School Program to support 110 organizations that provide activities for children living in high-priority neighbourhoods across the province.
• Invested $30 million to stabilize Ontario’s sport and recreation sector, help offset increased costs due to COVID‑19 and support the sector’s future recovery in communities across the province. This funding included $20 million to ministry recognized Provincial Sport Organizations and Multi-Sport Organizations to distribute to their local member clubs; $7 million to the Ontario Sport Network to distribute to local community-based sport and recreation organizations; and $3 million to help the Ontario Hockey League and its 17 teams to meet their academic scholarship commitments for current and former players.

Attractions and agencies

• On July 30, 2021, the Ontario government announced its plan to redevelop Ontario Place into a world-class destination, which will remain open to the public 365 days a year, with free public access and a waterfront experience that can be enjoyed by all.
  • Throughout August-December 2021, the ministry engaged the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities through a province-wide online public survey and three virtual information sessions.
  • On March 16, 2022, the Category C Environmental Assessment (EA) was launched for the government-led non-tenanted areas of Ontario Place.
  • As part of the EA launch, an Ontario Place redevelopment project website was launched in March 2022. The website complements the existing Ontario.ca webpage for Ontario Place by hosting technical project information and ensure information about the project is readily accessible, easy to find and understand, and presented in a consistent way.
• Invested $95.8 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund to help 1,146 non-profit organizations across the province to support staff and volunteers, reimagine programming and renovate facilities as they adapt to the challenges created by the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Invested more than $8.9 million in Science North to support the 2021–22 operations, develop exhibits and online content, perform maintenance and repairs, and deliver learning supports for students and teachers. These investments will help sustain operations, protect jobs and support short and long-term recovery planning following the effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Provided Huronia Historical Parks with over $1.5 million in capital funding to help repair and rehabilitate its facilities to encourage and reinvigorate tourism in the region.
• Supported the St. Lawrence Parks Commission with more than $5 million in capital funding to help repair and rehabilitate its facilities.