Popular B.C. tourist attractions including Butchart Gardens, PNE promised up to $1M from the province
Dozens of B.C. tourist attractions will receive grants from the province in an effort to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourism Minister Melanie Mark announced applicants had been approved Friday, saying more than 80 attractions and tour bus operators will be eligible for the new grant program.
These grants are worth up to $1 million. The program was first announced back in May, and earlier this month, the province said it was in the process of reviewing applications.
Among the recipients announced Friday are:
- Big White Ski Resort;
- Britannia Mine Museum;
- Butchart Gardens;
- HR MacMillan Space Centre;
- Hells Gate Airtram;
- International Dragon Boat Festival;
- Pacific National Exhibition (PNE);
- Richmond Night Market;
- Science World;
- Sea To Sky Gondola; and
- Wilson's Transportation.
According to the tourism ministry, the grants will go to 23 urban "anchor" attractions, 34 rural anchor attractions and 26 tour bus operating companies.
The initiative known as the Major Anchor Attractions Program was first announced in May, and was one of the seven calls to action from a provincial tourism task force.
It will be up to the companies themselves to decide how to spend the cash, with options ranging from rent and utilities to payroll and other restart costs.
While in a statement outlining the announcement, the PNE's president and CEO praised the program, it's a far cry from what the exhibition demanded from the province earlier this month.
At that time, unions representing its workers estimated the 111-year-old fair would be $15 million in debt by fall, and sought $8 million from the Horgan Government.
Mark said at that time the PNE would be eligible for up to $1 million, but would not commit to the much higher amount that unions asked for.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.