New task force to help bring Ontario tourism and culture back

Performing arts still awaiting word on capacity limits for Step 2 of provincial reopening

With the reopening of Ontario’s performing arts venues imminent, the province has created a task force to aid the $36-billion tourism industry.

The new Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force is providing 10 key recommendations to “rebuild and reshape” the industry, including reducing red tape for businesses and introducing new funding programs to align with Ontario’s three- to five-year tourism recovery timeline.

“I have listened to and worked closely with industry experts from across our sectors to help assess the impacts of the pandemic and how best to support them,” said Lisa MacLeod, minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries, during a livestreamed announcement from the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake Wednesday.

But the Shaw — and other theatre companies in Ontario — still didn’t get an answer to their most pressing question: How many people can they perform to when outdoor performances are allowed? Under Step 2 of Ontario’s reopening plan — it can start July 2, though that hasn’t been confirmed — the performing arts can perform outdoors with “spectator capacity and other restrictions.” For weeks, the province has failed to clarify what those capacity limits will be, leaving theatre companies in the dark.

The Shaw Festival is scheduled to open its season with an outdoor performance July 9, on a stage close to where MacLeod was standing Wednesday.

But asked about capacity restrictions, MacLeod said she’s “still working on that,” and expects more clarification after a “tactical briefing” Thursday regarding Step 2 regulations.

“We’re certainly working with industry and bringing their concerns to the health table,” she said.

MacLeod added she is awaiting word from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health before a decision is made.

Getting Ontario’s arts and culture industry open again is crucial for the overall economy, said Shaw Festival executive director Tim Jennings at Wednesday’s announcement.

“Arts and culture tourism is an essential part of the overall tourism economy and one that punches well above its weight in terms of economic amplification,” he said. “Arts tourists stay for long periods of time and invest in a lot of other activities — eating at local restaurants, staying at hotels, visiting wineries.”

Ontario intends to invest more than $400 million over the next three years in new initiatives to support the tourism, culture, sport and recreation sectors. This is in addition to a $225-million investment announced earlier.

MacLeod said the sooner Ontario residents get fully vaccinated, the sooner they can resume seeing plays, going to concerts and attending sports events.

“Today’s recommendations from our task force are a good sign that brighter days are indeed ahead.”