THUNDER BAY — A total of $2.2 million in federal funding is going towards eight different tourism projects in the region.
“We want to make sure that we keep the fabric of our economy strong in Northern Ontario, even in small and rural areas,” said Patty Hajdu, minister responsible for FedNor, who was in Thunder Bay on Thursday announce the funding.
“There’s been some wisdom of leaders at all levels to really focus on attracting new kinds of economic activity so that we diversify the kinds of jobs and opportunities that we have here.”
The single biggest contribution is a non-repayable investment of nearly $1 million in a Kenora brewery.
The Lake of the Woods Brewing Company received $976,852 to renovate a manufacturing facility and launch its Brewer’s Village, a tourism destination for beer enthusiasts.
Melissa Gagné of the Culinary Tourism Alliance praised the government’s $366,300 investment in a three-year partnership to expand agri-tourism and food-based experiences.
“The food scene just keeps on growing and evolving, and it’s becoming more and more important, especially in how we connect to place and experience it, for both visitors and locals,” she said. “Having the government acknowledge and support this work proves that it’s being celebrated and elevated.”
The program supports initiatives such as the Feast On certification, industry training, and the development of local food and drink trails.
Gagné noted these efforts build long-term capacity.
“We’ve been helping businesses define their place in the local food scene and get ready for the public-facing event in 2026.”
The Coopérative Centre Francophone de Thunder Bay received $214,624 in support for Festival Bonjour.
Executive director Claudette Gleeson highlighted the impact of the funding will have.
“Because we were able to hire consultants, experts in the area, we were actually able to recruit very specialized volunteers ... We want this to continue to grow and become a significant festival for the next generations to come.”
Gleeson also underscored the cultural importance of the festival. “Thunder Bay is not necessarily known as a bilingual city,” she said. “But yes, there’s an opportunity to speak and celebrate in French in Northwestern Ontario.”
Rossport’s non-profit marina was awarded $250,000 to upgrade infrastructure and improve safety and environmental conditions along its waterfront.
The City of Kenora received $125,000 to design a new harbourfront pavilion to replace the aging Thistle Pavilion, aiming to attract more events and tourism along Lake of the Woods.
Atikokan was granted over $112,000 to purchase tents, tables, and sound equipment for festivals and large events.
In Fort Frances, the Rainy River Future Development Corporation received $99,000 to support tourism marketing and attract international visitors.
Nipigon received nearly $17,000 to install interactive kiosks aimed at modernizing the visitor experience.
Hajdu emphasized these investments address both immediate community needs and a longer-term vision for economic resilience.
“When people come here, they want to come back,” she said. “By investing in tourism, culture, and innovation, we’re building a Northern Ontario that can thrive for generations to come.”
