Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP)

About the Program

Canada's Economic Action Plan unveiled in Budget 2009 was designed to provide timely economic stimulus when it is needed most: now and in the next 24 months. The Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP) has been established to provide targeted, time-limited support to assist existing marquee tourism events to enhance their offering and deliver world-class programs and experiences. By the summer of 2009, Industry Canada will provide initial funding to marquee events that significantly promote tourism, in time to respond to the many events that bring tourists to Canada during the summer vacation period. Through this program, we will assist marquee events attract international audiences, which may have been impacted by the global economic downturn.

The program defines a marquee event as an annually recurring world-class event that is well established and has a long-standing tradition of programming and management excellence. A marquee tourism event generates significant levels of tourism and aims to attract a significant amount of international media attention to Canada as a tourism destination. This support will contribute to the short-term and long-term growth and viability of Canada's visitor economy by increasing or sustaining the number level of tourism and tourism-related spending, providing an economic stimulus to ensure that tourism events can remain competitive from within and outside Canada.

How the Program Works

Different program streams have been established, each with their own program parameters and funding levels:

• Tier 1 Events
• Tier 2 Events

Funding under the MTEP is available to support costs associated with new activities, programs or experiences that enhance a tourism event. Tier 1 applicants can receive funding up to $3 million per fiscal year. Tier 2 applicants can receive funding up to $1 million per fiscal year. Funding cannot be greater than 20% of a tourism event's previous year cash operating budget.

Who Is Eligible?

Funding under the MTEP is available to for-profit corporations, not-for-profit corporations and First Nations Government organizations that organize recurring marquee tourism events.

How Does My Organization Apply?

If you be believe that your tourism event may be eligible for funding under this program, we invite you to submit an application using the Program Guide and Application Form & Annex provided.

The Application Deadline

The deadline for Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications under the first call for proposals was May 8, 2009. Details regarding the timing and application process for 2010 MTEP funding are still under development. We will be posting information on the website as soon as it is available.

The program guide and appliction form for the last call for proposal are provided for reference only.

Monitoring and Reporting Obligations

Tourism events that apply for and receive funding will be required to comply with a number of requirements to ensure that government funds will be applied as intended to help deliver enhanced world-class programs and experiences for tourists. Applications must include audited financial statements and a letter from the event's chairperson attesting to their commitment to adhere to the program's requirements. If funding is provided, all applicants will be required to provide annual audited financial statements for the two years following the completion of the proposed project and an independent study examining the economic impact of the funding. Applicants will also be subject to monitoring and independent audit for the funds received.

What Are the Eligible Expenses?

Eligible expenses are project-based and directly linked to activities that support the expected results of this program by helping to deliver enhanced programs and experiences. Categories of eligible expenses include:

• capital projects (e.g. new stage);
• equipment;
• marketing and promotion;
• audit and reporting expenses for funds provided through the program;
• programming costs (e.g. artist fees); and
• other costs are deemed reasonable and are required to complete the project.

Please refer to the Program Guide for further details.

Contributions and Recipients
List of Contributions and Recipients

Reporting Requirements
The Recipient will ensure that appropriate data collection processes are in place to enable the capture and reporting of data necessary to complete the following reports and studies.