April 7, 2008

CULTURE: A KEY ECONOMIC DRIVER

 

The entertainment and creative cluster is at the heart of Ontario’s new, innovative economy.

Investing in arts and culture is part of the government’s five-point plan to strengthen the economy and enhance Ontario’s competitiveness. Through key investments in growth sectors, such as the entertainment and creative industries, the government is fueling our economy and enhancing the quality of life of Ontarians.

Culture is a key economic sector in Ontario:

• The culture sector generates $19.7 billion of Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product.

• At 4.2%, culture is a bigger contributor to the Ontario’s GDP than agriculture, fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction and utilities industries, combined.

• Ontario’s entertainment and creative cluster is the third largest in North America by employment after California and New York.

• In the past ten years, employment in the entertainment and creative cluster has grown at twice the rate as the overall Ontario economy, creating over 80,000 net new jobs.

• Ontario’s cultural tourism generates more than $4.5 billion annually across Ontario.

The Ontario Government is providing additional one-time funding in the amount of $12.1 million to support the Royal Ontario Museum with a solid foundation for sustainability. This investment is part of the government’s strategic commitment to a Stronger Ontario through new investments in key Ontario sectors like the entertainment and creative cluster.

Contacts:

Alicia Johnston, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-1676
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497

• News release