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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.