Brandon missing from PrairiesCan tourism investment

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This article was published 22/02/2025 (278 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon is missing from the federal government’s investment of $1.85 million in nine tourism and cultural projects across Manitoba.

The funding announced Friday by Liberal MP Terry Duguid, the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, aims to boost Manitoba’s tourism economy.

Canadians are feeling patriotic given the current state of the country’s relations with the U.S., Duguid told the Winnipeg Free Press, and Canada needs to take advantage of that from a tourism perspective.

The city had applied for funding from PrairiesCan over a year ago, which may not be part of a round of funding, corporate communications officer Merrilea Metcalf told the Sun.

“I don’t think our previous application was part of this specific round of funding,” she said in an email. “I’m unaware if we applied specifically for this specific round of funding.”

A PrairiesCan spokesperson told the Sun the agency does not publicly disclose applications.

“Eligible organizations submit a funding application and each application is reviewed against program criteria to determine eligibility for funding,” the spokesperson said in an interview.

Brandon Tourism is a member of the Tourism Industry Association of Manitoba and does receive funding to support tourism export-readiness initiatives, communications director Lanny Stewart told the Sun.

“We did not apply for this funding,” Stewart said in an interview. “Any federal funding towards tourism initiatives in the Prairie provinces is always a net positive despite Brandon not being directly impacted by today’s announcement.”

Despite the lack of inclusion in this federal initiative, Metcalf noted that the city remains proactive in seeking opportunities to support tourism and cultural development. She added Brandon continues to advance initiatives aimed at strengthening economic growth and tourism appeal while collaborating with key partners to enhance the city’s attractiveness as a destination.

Brandon Tourism is also keeping an eye on alternative opportunities, such as the Field to Fork project, an agritourism initiative spanning Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This program, backed by Destination Canada, aims to establish a tourism corridor featuring farm-to-table experiences, Indigenous agritourism and culinary tourism. Brandon has been included as a key city within this initiative, which could provide future funding and development opportunities.

The funding was allocated specifically by the federal government, Travel Manitoba communications director Louise Waldman said Friday.

“While Travel Manitoba was a guest, today’s funding announcement was for federal funding through PrairiesCan,” he told the Sun.

“In terms of Travel Manitoba’s support for Brandon and other communities throughout Manitoba, we are pleased to have undertaken some important initiatives.”

Aldman explained the organization makes efforts including destination development work with Brandon First, strategic marketing and promotion of local attractions, and ongoing investments in regional tourism initiatives to boost the sector.

Furthermore, the federal announcement focused on projects that align with specific tourism strategies. The recipients included organizations such as the Churchill Chamber of Commerce, Assiniboine Park Conservancy and the National Indigenous Residential School Museum, which met PrairiesCan’s selection criteria.

Regarding steps Brandon-based organizations can take to improve their chances of securing tourism-related federal funding, the PrairiesCan spokesperson explained the program’s criteria emphasize added value to existing tourism activities while prioritizing business and economic growth.

“PrairiesCan remains actively engaged with the community working through our local Brandon office to support the development of projects that drive economic growth and enhance the region’s tourism sector,” the spokesperson added.

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