UPPER CANADA VILLAGE AND CRYSLER PARK TO BE REVITALIZED
McGuinty Government Enhancing Tourism Along The St. Lawrence Corridor

Ontario is helping draw more tourists to Upper Canada Village and Crysler’s Farm Battlefield, key tourism destinations that contribute to the economic prosperity of many communities along the St. Lawrence River.

Ontario will invest $13 million to increase tourist appeal at the two St. Lawrence Parks Commission sites by: <

* Providing $6 million to update the visitor centre, retail outlet, and exhibits at Upper Canada Village.
* Investing $7 million to invigorate the visitor experience at Crysler’s Farm Battlefield and to take better advantage of heritage tourism and the bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812.

This announcement is part of a proposed $23 million investment through the 2009 Budget in the St. Lawrence Parks Commission – an agency of the Ontario government -- to improve the quality of its attractions and to make the local tourism industry more competitive.

QUOTES

“Revitalizing St. Lawrence attractions as top-notch tourist draws is part of our government’s commitment to building a stronger and more competitive economy. Heritage tourism has a large potential for growth and we want to ensure that communities along the St. Lawrence River can compete in the global tourism market and develop into world-class destinations.”
- Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism

“Upper Canada Village and Crysler’s Farm Park are important tourist draws that contribute to the economic prosperity of our region, and tell important local heritage stories. Improving these attractions is about growing our local tourism industry, creating more jobs for the future, and ensuring that the history of our region is preserved for future generations.”
- Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.

QUICK FACTS

* On the weekend of July 11 and 12, Crysler's Farm Battlefield Memorial will host the 2009 Grand Tactical, an annual re-enactment of the War of 1812 that draws visitors from all over North America.
* In the 2009 Ontario budget, capital investments for the tourism sector included $33 million for revitalization projects at Huronia Historical Parks and St. Lawrence Parks Commission sites, as well as $8 million for infrastructure improvements at Fort William Historical Park.
* Approximately 300,000 people in Ontario are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry.

LEARN MORE

Learn about Upper Canada Village.

Find out about things to do at Crysler Park.

Discover things to do in Ontario.

Lisa DiLollo, Tourism Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4543
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391 ontario.ca/tourism-news
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