The Government of Canada Supports the Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario

VILLE-MARIE, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 16, 2016) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) and Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for CED, and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced today that the Government of Canada is supporting the Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario.

CED will provide non-repayable contributions totalling $301,910 to the Foire Gourmande, for it to be held in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Those amounts, provided under the Quebec Economic Development Program, will particularly go toward marketing outside of Quebec and to the external layout of the site.

Canadian Heritage is providing support of $91,500 for the 2016 edition of this popular event that is held annually in Ville-Marie. This funding is being provided under the Local Festivals component of the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program. It will help offer a varied lineup, including musical performances, demonstrations by artisans and activities showcasing Indigenous culture and heritage, as well as guided tours of Ville-Marie.

Quick facts

• As a recipient of the 2016 Desjardins Prix Major of Abitibi-Témiscamingue in the category of "Tourism festivals and events with a budget of $500,000 or more", the Foire Gourmande now draws 22,000 distinct visitors (12% of whom are from outside Quebec) and generates impacts of $3.4 million.
• Roughly 50 food producers or processors from Quebec and Northeastern Ontario show off their creations at this festival.
• Abitibi-Témiscamingue's tourism industry provides employment to 2,800 people.

Quotes

"The agri-food and tourism sectors are powerful drivers of economic development that help create and maintain many jobs in Quebec's regions. CED is proud to support the Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario, an event that has been contributing to growth in these regions since 2002."

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"The Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario is without a doubt one of the most fun and popular events for residents and visitors of Ville-Marie and its surroundings. Organizers and volunteers can all be proud of this cultural event, which promotes understanding between people of all backgrounds and showcases our shared heritage."

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Related links

Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario

Quebec Economic Development Program

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage - Local Festivals

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