For Immediate Release
July 27, 2007

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT PROMOTES IROQUOIS TOURISM

Community Revitalization Project Will Help Attract Visitors

IROQUOIS - The McGuinty government is investing in revitalizing and restoring the Galop Canal and surrounding area to strengthen the local economy, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh, announced today.

"Plans to beautify and market of the Galop Canal Iroquois Landing Marina will help draw tourists to the area," said Brownell. "Landscaping enhancements to the picnic area and conducting a feasibility study for wilderness overnight camping will help realize the entrepreneurial potential of this community."

The province is supporting the project with a $53,650 contribution to the Galop Canal Revitalization Project and its partner, the Galop Canal Iroquois Landing Marina Committee.

"The McGuinty government understands the importance of attracting tourism in rural communities," said Dombrowsky. "With the support of residents, local businesses and community groups, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry has the opportunity to attract outside investment and promote itself to the rest of the province."

"Thanks to the support of the provincial government, this important community revitalization initiative can now begin," said Geraldine Fitzsimmons, general manager of the Galop Canal Revitalization Project. "The expansion of the Marina and potential campground will provide additional opportunities."

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in rural Ontario. Other examples include:

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

Through the RED Program, the province has invested $33 million in 118 projects, representing a total of investment of $204.6 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.

- 30 -

Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416 326-6439