$10 million to expand inclusive programming and support initiatives ensuring the future sustainability of Edmonton’s K-Days and more than $7.5 million to help 29 tourism projects enhance tourism experiences to attract more visitors to Alberta, creating or maintaining nearly 4,000 local jobs

May 24, 2022 – Edmonton, Alberta – PrairiesCan

Edmonton is home to many cultural experiences, North America’s largest stretch of urban parkland, and world-class events that attract tourists from across Canada and around the globe. Known as Canada’s Festival City, Edmonton’s festivals and unique attractions are a key part of the city’s vibrancy and a major driver of its local economy.

Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of more than $17.5 million in Edmonton’s tourism sector and across Alberta. Of this support, $10 million will go to ensure K-Days, Edmonton’s premier summer fair, remains a key part of Edmonton’s cultural tapestry years to come. Another $7.5 million will help 29 tourism projects adapt their products and services to create new experiences, attracting more visitors to Alberta.

The K-Days investment, provided to Explore Edmonton, is funded through the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative and the Tourism Relief Fund, both administered by PrairiesCan. The funding will go to site improvements, including repositioning Klondike Park as a year-round destination, as well as creating new revenue streams to ensure the future sustainability of the K-Days event, and expanding programming that is  inclusive of Indigenous Peoples, new Canadians, Francophones and LGBTQ2S+ communities.

The $7.5 million investment to support 29 tourism projects is provided through the Tourism Relief Fund and the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, delivered in Alberta by PrairiesCan. This investment will help tourism operators launch new or enhanced experiences, and develop long-term strategic plans that ensure the continued growth of the tourism sector in Alberta. 

The tourism sector is one of the hardest hit over the last two years. The combined federal investment of $17,534,357 is expected to help create or maintain 4,332 tourism jobs for Albertans, attract more than 2.1 million domestic and international visitors to the province and position Alberta’s economy for long-term growth.