Strategic Investments to Grow the Economy

Government has an unwavering commitment to creating an environment that promotes and encourages economic growth, enhances the prospects for new job creation and expands the province�s revenue base. In keeping with this commitment, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has made strategic investments in Budget 2004 to grow the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador through increasing the tourism marketing budget and investing in creative and cultural enterprises.

Growing the tourism industry
The tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador has grown steadily in recent years, with resident and non-resident expenditures now exceeding $620 million. The industry supports 25,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province and an estimated 2,400 businesses. According to the Canadian Tourism Commission, it is estimated that for every dollar spent in tourism marketing, there is a return of $10 generated by new tourism expenditures.

Government recognizes that the tourism industry is an area of increased growth potential across the country. In order to enhance the province�s tourism potential and allow it to gain ground on our marketing competitors in Atlantic Canada, the department has increased its tourism marketing budget by $1 million in Budget 2004, bringing the total budget to $7 million.

"We believe that a strategic investment in tourism marketing will result in increased visitation, resulting in increased revenue for tourism operators and employment for residents of the communities in which they do business," said Paul Shelley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "Additional financial resources will be directed at strengthening the current marketing program in consultation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Marketing Council and key industry stakeholders."

Investing in creative and cultural enterprise
Government is committed to working in partnership with the federal government, the cultural and heritage communities and others to secure public investment in creative and cultural enterprise and heritage conservation and development and has allocated over $2.5 million in Budget 2004 to encourage and support the continued success and growth of creative artists and cultural industries in the province.

"Our government is committed to the recognition and promotion of culture and heritage in the province. We have demonstrated support through strategic investments in the Cultural Economic Development Program and other key supporters of the arts and heritage community," said Minister Shelley. "Creative artists and cultural industries contribute immensely to the quality of life for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. They celebrate our history, our lives and our accomplishments. They are very important to our economy and to keeping our skilled and creative talent working in this province. We are also committed to capitalizing on our distinctive cultural heritage by investing in historic sites and heritage properties and expanding related tourism attractions."

Cultural Economic Development Program
Government will provide $825,000 in Budget 2004 for the province�s Cultural Economic Development Program to support cultural industries and heritage initiatives. The program will continue to make specific investments in the areas of cultural policy and planning; fishery heritage infrastructure; heritage conservation and professional development; operational support for arts organizations; cultural industries marketing; cultural industries professional development; and capacity building/product development.

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Since the mid-1980s, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has registered over 200 of the province�s most significant heritage buildings. Budget 2004 provides $250,000 to the Heritage Foundation in recognition of its important role. The vernacular architecture of Newfoundland and Labrador is considered distinctive in North America and its preservation is critical for the further development of outport tourism potential, as well as the growth of cultural industries.

In addition, the Heritage Foundation will, through the Government of Canada, administer a new federally-funded program which aims to preserve our architectural heritage. The foundation will receive annually federal funding of $527,000 to administer the program.

Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation
Government recognizes the contribution and future potential of the film industry in this province. In recognition of this potential, government will work in partnership with the federal government in continuing to support the important role of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation in advancing and providing new production and distribution opportunities in such areas as film and video. Government will allocate $180,000 towards this initiative.

2004 French Heritage Celebrations
This year celebrates the 500^th anniversary of French presence in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is committed to supporting the French Heritage Celebrations in recognition of the important contribution of the French to the province�s cultural heritage. Government will provide $150,000 to support community projects related to the 2004 celebrations.

Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
Government will provide $739,700 in Budget 2004 to support the important role of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council in fostering and promoting the arts in the province. This funding will support the council in administering a number of grant programs to artists and arts organizations to undertake specific projects; will provide operating capital to professional theatre, music and dance companies, public visual art galleries, provincial literary publications and provincial arts organizations; and will assist professional artists with funds for travel for career enhancement.

Grants to arts, culture and heritage organizations
Government will continue to support the province�s distinct cultural heritage by investing $400,000 in Budget 2004 to allocate grants, allowances and assistance to a number of arts, culture and heritage organizations. This funding will assist with the ongoing operations of many of the province�s museums, cultural centres and special events and attractions.

Supporting our music industry
The music industry is an important part of Newfoundland and Labrador�s cultural industry, an area of significant growth in the province and the entire country. The cultural industry is the fastest growing industry in Canada. On a provincial basis, the cultural industry employs 12,000 people and has an estimated value of $200 million annually.

In recognition of its commitment to the success and growth of the music industry, government will provide $200,000 in Budget 2004 to the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MIANL) to support the continued development of the music industry in the province.

"Government is committed to the continued support of the music industry and believes that this increasing interest will allow us to capitalize on growth potential opportunities. This investment will significantly increase the MIANL�s current budget and allow it to continue to grow and develop the music industry, resulting in increased economic benefit in all regions of the province."

According to the MIANL�s strategic plan, the economic impact of the music industry in the province is estimated at over $25 million. Through the MIANL, this investment will allow local artists to reach audiences and markets outside of Newfoundland and Labrador through increased marketing efforts to local, national and international markets.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications (709) 729-0928

2004 03 30                                         3:00 p.m.