Ontario Investing $18,150 to Support Festivals and Events in Ajax

Investment will celebrate Canadian and Local Culture, Boost Tourism and
Strengthen Ajax’s Economy

News April 28, 2025

AJAX– Ontario is providing $18,150 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to
support the St. Nedela Annual Festival, hosted by St. Nedela Macedonian Orthodox
Church in Ajax.

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.

The announcement was made by Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby, and Parliamentary
Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence,
and Security, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, during St. Nedela’s Bazaar and Bake Sale.

“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.

“Our government’s investment in local festivals and events—like the St. Nedela Annual
Festival—demonstrates our commitment to strengthening communities and showcasing
the unique culture of the Region of Durham,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services,
and the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security. “Through
the Experience Ontario program, we’re helping to create vibrant, welcoming
experiences that drive tourism, create jobs, and bring people together.”

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.