The Government of Canada is making investments in British Columbia to attract new visitors and stimulate local economies. More than $2.9 million in PacifiCan funding through the Tourism Relief Fund will go towards 14 projects in Vancouver.
Among these projects, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is receiving $500,000 to revitalize the organization’s annual film festival events, which include screenings, conferences, live performances, and free outdoor programming. The Vancouver International Film Festival is a key attraction for visitors during the city’s shoulder season and helps promote B.C.’s growing film and television industry.
Funding for the other 13 projects will help local organizations and businesses in areas such as:
- Restoring events like the Vancouver Fringe Festival and International Jazz Festival,
- Supporting cultural events like Latincouver and the Dragon Boat Festival,
- Revitalizing venues like the Granville Island Stage, and
- Creating new public spaces and experiences in Gastown.
“By restoring popular local festivals, improving arts and culture venues, and offering new tools to tourism companies, funding will help attract people to Vancouver from all around the world. It will also create over 400 quality jobs. PacifiCan continues to be here to help local organizations recover from the pandemic and other challenges. Investing in tourism experiences will bring people together and help British Columbians thrive well into the future,” said The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of International Development and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
These investments are expected to create approximately 430 new jobs and attract more than 514,000 new local, national and international visitors to Vancouver.
“Like many organizations in the cultural and tourism industries, the past three years have been incredibly challenging for VIFF. This funding is instrumental in us rebuilding Vancouver’s large event workforce and re-establishing our annual festival as a vibrant international attraction. It ensures a fully realized festival that reasserts Vancouver’s position on the global cinema stage, ignites international attendance, and garners national recognition. Rather than simply surviving this difficult moment, VIFF will accelerate towards future financial sustainability,” said Kyle Fostner, executive director, Vancouver International Film Festival.
