May 29, 2007

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN TITANIC EXHIBIT AT THE ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE

TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting cultural tourism in the province by providing $500,000 to the Ontario Science Centre’s Titanic Exhibition, Monte Kwinter, MPP, York Centre, announced on behalf of Culture Minister Caroline Di Cocco.

"We’re very proud to support the Ontario Science Centre,” said Kwinter. “Visitors from across the province and our neighbours in Quebec and New York, will enjoy this fascinating exhibit, about the doomed ocean liner that has captivated people for 95 years. It promises to be a blockbuster!” 

"The Ontario Science Centre delights, challenges and informs more than a million visitors each year,” said Di Cocco. “I’m pleased the Science Centre is reaching out to even more audiences through this exhibit”

The Ontario government's investment is through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF), a $20 million initiative to increase cultural tourism by assisting Ontario's arts, cultural and heritage organizations to capitalize on the potential of new and expanded events and activities, including exhibitions, festivals and performances.

The Titanic Exhibition and the Titanica IMAX film, with footage from 12,500 feet beneath the North Atlantic, allow visitors to experience the life, loss and discovery of the world's most famous shipwreck.  More than 17 million people have visited the exhibit in 60 cities worldwide. The exhibit runs June 2, 2007 to January 6, 2008.

“I’ve seen the exhibition and it’s superb,” said Dr. Murray Frum, Chair of the OCAF Board. “There’s no doubt it will be a major tourism draw for Ontario this summer, and OCAF is pleased to support this innovative programming at the Ontario Science Centre.”

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Contacts:
Mark Thompson, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4071
Guy Lepage, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497