St. Thomas, Ontario — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, 
Joe Preston, MP today celebrated the Government of Canada’s investment of $255,460 to support the 2010 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo as part of the Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP).

“This investment greatly benefits our area and the many businesses that provide services to event attendees,” said Preston “Through this program, the International Plowing Match can continue to showcase the County of Elgin and City of St. Thomas as a destination for families and a region dedicated to making visitors feel welcome rural Ontario.”

The International Plowing Match celebrates our vibrant rural past and emerging opportunities for agriculture and our rural communities in Elgin-St. Thomas from September 21-25, 2010.

This funding will allow the International Plowing Match to market and promote this event throughout Ontario and Canada.

Marquee Tourism Events Program is a temporary two-year program under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.  The Program supports tourism events in all parts of the country with the goal of providing a much-needed boost to the Canadian tourism industry – an industry that faced several challenges at the beginning of the global recession.  Now in its final year, this program will provide up to $39 million in federal investments to festivals and events to stimulate the economy and help promote Canada as a global destination of choice.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy through numerous programs that support local economies. The Government of Canada is committed to tourism, a 
$71.5-billion industry that included 650 000 jobs in 2009. It helps communities and regions thrive from coast to coast, hosting national and international travellers to all parts of the country.

For more information, please visit the Marquee Tourism Events Program website or Canada’s Economic Action Plan website.