Ontario Investing $20,000 to Support Festivals and Events in Dufferin County
June 13, 2025
Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen Dufferin County’s economy.
NEWS
DUFFERIN COUNTY—Ontario is investing $20,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support the Dufferin Film Festival. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers, and support main street businesses.
MPP Sylvia Jones announced Dufferin-Caledon, with the following local event receiving funding:
“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario, it’s people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province. They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is important that we come together to take part in made-in-Ontario experiences that celebrate our collective identity and support local communities.”
In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.
“This investment is a great example of how our government is strengthening the local economy while showcasing everything Dufferin County has to offer,” said MPP Sylvia Jones of Dufferin-Caledon. “Events like this not only celebrate our community’s incredible talent and creativity, but they also support local businesses and attract visitors to our region.”
“The Experience Ontario grant allows us to deepen our impact and expand the scope of the festival,” says Kelly McDowell, Festival Director. “We’re proud to showcase exceptional Canadian films and to help grow arts and tourism right here in Dufferin County.”
QUICK FACTS
- Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy, in 2023 visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.
- Since 2021, the Ministry’s Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported over 2,000 Ontario festivals and events.
- In 2024-25, the ministry invested more than $20 million to support more than 250 festivals and events around the province.
- Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
- The Experience Ontario 2025 application period launched on November 28, 2024, with direct outreach to over 4,000 stakeholders and closed on December 30, 2024. To get your festival or event on the contact list for Experience Ontario 2026, email experienceontario@ontario.ca
- In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.