Media Release April 27, 2009

Government of Canada supports
the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival

EDMONTON — Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Leduc James Rajotte today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of over $400,000 to support the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.

“This announcement greatly benefits our city in this tough economic downturn by helping to support the visitor economy,” said Mr. Rajotte. “Through the Government of Canada’s Marquee Tourism Events Program, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival can continue to be instrumental in showcasing Edmonton as a premiere international host and a city truly dedicated to making visitors feel welcome.”

The Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) is a Government of Canada initiative under Canada's Economic Action Plan designed to provide $100 million in funding over two years for marquee tourism events in support of the visitor economy. This program will help events that attract a large number of international visitors to maintain and enhance their appeal. It will also help events that are established nationally to gain an international presence.

The Program is divided into several funding streams — beginning with the Summer 2009 one-time injection of funds. A call for proposals with a deadline of May 8, 2009, has been issued for tourism events that meet the eligibility criteria for the next phase of the program. An additional call for proposals will be announced in fall 2009.

“The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is proud and honoured to be a recipient of this new funding,” said Executive Director Julian Mayne. “With our community support of local, national and international artists, volunteers, funders, sponsors and patrons, the Edmonton Fringe welcomes this partnership with the Canadian government to sustain and increase the number of out-of-country and out-of-province visitors and tourism-related spending. We are excited about the impact of this initiative on our festival and the positive effect it will have on Canada’s tourism industry.”

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is now in its 28^th year and features over 1200 shows and performances over an 11-day period. The Festival will be directing this injection of funding into enhancing its marketing and promotion initiatives both in Canada and abroad.

The recipients of this funding stream put forth proposals to the Government of Canada that met the eligibility criteria and objectives of the program. The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is just one of Canada’s annual, world-class marquee tourism events that have been granted funding under the Summer 2009 MTEP funding stream.

Today’s other recipients of the Summer 2009 MTEP funding stream are:

• Calgary Stampede
• The Charlottetown Festival
• Le Festival d’été de Québec
• Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
• The Shaw Festival
• The Stratford Shakespeare Festival
• The Toronto International Film Festival

The MTEP complements the numerous federally funded, tourism-related programs that are part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. These programs, which provide measures to support Canada’s economy, stimulate the growth of tourism and contribute to the development of Canada’s visitor economy over the long term, include:

– $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission for domestic and international marketing; and
– $150 million over two years for national parks and historic sites

More on the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP)

 

THE FRINGE CIRCUIT

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