In a virtual press conference on Jan. 19 regarding federal financial aid for tourism in the Montérégie, it was announced that Parc Safari in Hemmingford has been allocated $967,338 in assistance to maintain its activities.
Brenda Shanahan, member of parliament for Châteauguay–Lacolle, made the announcement on behalf of Mélanie Joly, the minister of economic development and official languages. An additional $403,250 goes to the Corporation du Festival de montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which had to drastically cut its annual hot-air balloon festival this year.
The total amount of more than $1.37 million being thus invested to boost tourism in the Montérégie comes from the federal Canada Economic Development program (CED), through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) for Quebec regions.
Jean-Pierre Ranger, chairman of the board at Parc Safari, explained in a press release from the CED how important this aid is for the park, an important tourist attraction near Hemmingford: “In 2020, the pandemic led to a loss of 70 per cent of visitors, operating days and income for the Parc Safari. [The money from] RRRF enabled us, despite the uncertainty caused by the crisis, to cover a major shortfall in earnings and to remain, with the bank’s cooperation, at the service of families. During its 49th season in 2021, Parc Safari will welcome its usual 320,000 guests. Thank you, CED!”
Shanahan stated she was delighted by this support for the tourism industry in the Montérégie “in these crucial times,” and looked ahead to the future: “We must seize this opportunity to rethink the sector’s products, services and processes. Quebecers will have the chance to test these new ideas and, who knows, to become ambassadors of our region when the time comes to reopen national and international tourism.”
Joly, who is also the minister responsible for CED, spoke of the aims of the program’s investment: “The tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, and the government of Canada is committed to accompanying key players as they prepare to rebound vigorously after the economic crisis. We have been here since the start of this unprecedented situation, with concrete measures, and we will be here to support tourism as the health situation evolves.”
On why it is making such investments now, in response to the pandemic, CED’s press release pointed out that around the world, tourism was “one of the first industries affected by the pandemic; it will also be one of the last to be able to return to full working order,” and that in this country, it generates $102 billion a year and represents four per cent of all jobs, or 1.8 million workers. Given that it is such an important economic driver, “the government of Canada is committing to prepare the field for after the pandemic with a view to rebuilding a stronger, more resilient and more just economy for all.”
(RP)