MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT HELPS 2007 GREY CUP FESTIVAL ATTRACT MORE ATTENDEES

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is helping promote the 2007 Grey Cup Festival through an investment of $200,000 to cover the cost of newspaper advertising, Tourism Minister Jim Bradley announced today.

“Thousands of fans will attend Grey Cup celebrations in Toronto, and millions of viewers in 160 countries will watch the game on television,” said Bradley. “Supporting this event is a terrific way to boost tourism to Toronto.”

The 2007 Grey Cup Festival, running November 21 – 25, will be highlighted by the playing of the 95th Grey Cup Game, which returns to Toronto for the first time in 15 years. Surrounding festivities will include music, comedy and street celebrations geared to both family and fan audiences at more than 50 events in downtown Toronto. In addition, for the first time, the Grey Cup weekend will host the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Vanier Cup game.

“The Grey Cup is Canada’s largest professional sporting event,” said George Smitherman, MPP for Toronto Centre – Rosedale. “Hosting the Cup game and the amazing Festival that will surround it, is important for Toronto because it will attract thousands of tourists to our city. About 135,000 people are expected to attend this year, and the economic impact will be more than $53 million.”

“The diversity of entertainment available to fans at the 2007 Grey Cup Festival is both exciting and unprecedented,” commented Brad Watters, general manager of the 2007 Grey Cup Festival. “We sincerely thank the Ministry of Tourism for their generous contribution, and invite both tourists and Torontonians to enjoy the Cup celebrations in a unique, festival village atmosphere.”

The 2007 Grey Cup Festival is among dozens of Ontario events and festivals supported by the Ontario government. Marketing support for these events encourages increased tourism and strengthens Ontario's tourism industry by assisting local organizations to promote their events to the people of Ontario and beyond.

“A healthy tourism industry supports Ontario’s high quality of life,” said Bradley. “Festivals and events increase tourism, bringing new visitors to communities across Ontario, contributing to a strong and prosperous economy.”

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Contacts:
David Oved, Minister’s Office, (416) 314-1400
Gary Wheeler, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391