Published plans and annual reports 2025–2026: Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Ministry overview

Ministry’s vision

The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming drives economic growth and enhances quality of life in Ontario by supporting and delivering exceptional tourism, cultural and gaming experiences across the province.

The ministry:

• works closely with tourism industry stakeholders to promote Ontario tourism, develop new experiences, and enhance the province’s status as a top destination for visitors
• fuels the creative economy, including film, television, music, interactive digital media, and book and magazine publishing
• promotes engagement in culture through the arts, invests in festivals and events across Ontario and provides funding and support to public libraries and museums
• guides the development of provincial gaming policy, including oversight of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and iGaming Ontario ^{footnote 1[1]}
• delivers its work in partnership with 17 provincial agencies, attractions and transfer payment entities to enhance their contributions to Ontario’s social well-being

The ministry leads the government’s policy agenda on tourism, culture and gaming, designs and delivers transfer payment programs, works in partnership with its agencies to support ministry sectors and deliver programs, acts as a steward of provincial cultural and tourism assets, and collaborates with sector partners, stakeholders and industry organizations.

Ministry programs

Investments in ministry programs promote economic development in communities across the province, create jobs and opportunities for people, and help communities thrive and succeed by showcasing their strengths to attract potential visitors.

The ministry continues to monitor sectors and engage stakeholders to ensure programming reflects the needs of clients and achieves intended outcomes.

The ministry is committed to contributing towards increasing the economic impact and community benefits of Ontario’s tourism, culture and gaming sectors. Ministry programs aim to improve these outcomes and are measured in a number of key performance indicators:

• increase Ontario tourism spending
• increase Ontario culture GDP
• annual attendance at MTCG public facing attractions
• provincial non-tax revenue from gaming agencies

Tourism and culture programs

The ministry is responsible for strategic policy, programs and services, and research initiatives related to tourism, the arts and cultural industries, community museums and public libraries in Ontario.

The ministry engages with and works alongside sector organizations and stakeholders to:

• raise the profile of Ontario as a place to invest in tourism and creative industries
• build a stronger and more competitive tourism industry
• encourage and promote Ontario’s cultural tourism products
• support professional arts activity as a driver of community well-being and economic vitality
• cultivate growth in creative industries such as film, television, book and magazine publishing, music and interactive digital media to make Ontario a leader in the knowledge-based economy
• support new product and experience development and enhance festivals and events across the province
• raise the profile of Ontario as a province rich in cultural resources
• support community museums and public libraries to promote community cohesion and enhanced quality of life, lifelong learning, and pride of place

Tourism sector support and promotion — The ministry provides a range of tourism sector supports and delivers a strategic set of coordinated programs and activities to maximize the industry’s growth and contribution to Ontario’s economy. These initiatives include targeted investments to attract or enhance festivals and events. The ministry works to maximize opportunities for growth and development through investment attraction, business advisory services, and tourism sector research, actively attracting and supporting private sector investment and development initiatives in Ontario.

Ontario’s creative economy programs and services — The ministry provides grants and business development assistance to stimulate production, investment, job creation and growth in cultural media industries—film and television production, recorded and live music, book and magazine publishing and interactive digital media.

Arts sector support — Through funding programs for artists, artist-educators, not-for-profit organizations, training institutions and cultural tourism partners, the ministry supports artistic creation and presentation, organizational development and training programs to create a competitive and skilled workforce.

Library sector support — The ministry administers the Public Libraries Act, provides operating grants, project funding, advice and outreach to increase library sustainability and improve capacity while encouraging innovation. Programs help the province’s public and First Nations libraries and sector organizations to deliver services and programs that are responsive to evolving local needs and help Ontarians learn and succeed in the knowledge-based economy.

Community museum sector support — Through an operating grant program, outreach, and the Standards for Community Museums in Ontario, the ministry supports museums to drive cultural tourism and tell the stories of Ontario’s diverse communities, past and present.

Ontario cultural media tax credits

The Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming are responsible for the policy design of refundable tax credit programs whose objectives are to incentivize increased levels of production in the film and television, interactive digital media and book publishing industries to enhance Ontario’s competitiveness, stimulate economic activity and job creation, sustain sector growth and enhance the province’s cultural profile. These tax credit programs are legislated under the Taxation Act, 2007 and jointly administered by Ontario Creates (formerly known as Ontario Media Development Corporation) ^{footnote 2[2]}, an agency of the ministry, and the Canada Revenue Agency.

Agency programs

The ministry’s agencies, operational transfer payment entities and attractions showcase Ontario’s cultural diversity and creativity, as well as its history and cultural heritage, offering learning and entertainment opportunities in venues that have economic, social and historical value to communities and regions throughout the province. These entities promote the cultural fabric of Ontario, as well as its economic growth and job creation by offering a range of educational, recreational, cultural and entertainment programs for residents and visitors.

The ministry is responsible for agency relations, governance, appointments, and operating and capital funding for agencies and attractions within its portfolio while driving agency modernization and transformation initiatives.

The ministry is also responsible for Fort William Historical Park and Huronia Historical Parks, two directly operated historic tourist attractions. Both Fort William Historical Park and Huronia Historical Parks act as significant regional economic catalysts through their roles as key tourism attractions, driving economic prosperity and building community partnerships by creating unique visitor experiences.

Ontario Trillium Foundation program

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. It supports eligible Ontario charitable, not-for-profit organizations, First Nations, Metis, Inuit and other Indigenous communities, and municipalities with populations less than 20,000 with government funding.

Gaming program

The ministry supports a strong gaming sector in a socially responsible manner that generates revenue to support the government’s fiscal plan and provides economic benefits for communities across Ontario. This is achieved through governance oversight of gaming agencies and policy development related to commercial matters, revenue sharing with First Nations, charitable gaming and responsible gambling. The gaming sector in Ontario includes lottery, casinos, online gaming, charitable gaming halls and horse racing.

2025–26 strategic plan

The ministry’s 2025–26 strategic plan aligns with the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy and continue to invest in infrastructure needed to support growing communities across the province. The government’s plan will continue to create a business environment to attract domestic and global investments to ensure Ontario stays competitive on the global stage.

Through strategic and targeted investments in ministry programs (such as tourism, gaming, music, arts, community museums and public libraries), the ministry will continue to highlight the province as a global travel destination of choice and help grow the economy, create jobs, and strengthen communities by creating an environment where businesses can thrive.

Ministry strategic priorities for 2025–26 include:

Strategic priority: Tourism

To support the economic development and growth of the tourism sector by developing tourism policy, delivering programs, supporting events, attracting investment, and marketing the province. These activities help build a stronger more competitive tourism industry which will ensure that Ontario remains a tourism destination of choice delivering economic returns and jobs in the tourism industry in every community and region across the province.

Intended outcome: Increased economic impact of tourism spending in Ontario

Outcome: Increased economic impact of tourism spending in Ontario

Indicator

• Increase Ontario tourism spending

Target value and date

• Target is under review.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Tourism Region Funds
• Festivals, Events and Attractions Grants
• Tourism Investment and Development Grants
• Capital infrastructure program
• Tourism grants

Strategic priority: Culture

To support a robust culture sector that enables growth and long-term stability of the sector so that it can contribute to Ontario’s economy and deliver cultural and community benefits. The cultural media industries include film, television, music, book and magazine publishing, and interactive digital media. They are supported through business support services, funding programs, and tax credits. Grant programs support artists, arts organizations, community museums and public libraries.

Intended outcome: Increased economic impact of culture in Ontario.

Outcome: Increased economic impact of culture in Ontario

Indicator

• Increase Ontario culture GDP

Target value and date

• $29.9 B (2025)

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Arts and Culture Sector Funds
• Arts and Culture Sector Grants
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Cultural Media Tax Credits Program
• Agency Programs
• Festival Events and Attractions Grants
• Library Sector Statutory Supports
• Library Sector Funds
• Museum Sector Statutory Supports

Strategic priority: Agencies

To support agencies, transfer payment entities and attractions through governance oversight, direct funding and public appointment support. This allows the province to showcase Ontario’s diversity, history, and cultural heritage all while generating a powerful economic return.

Intended outcome: Increased visitor attraction at tourism and culture agencies, impacting growth in self-generated revenue and contributing to the overall economy.

Outcome: Increased visitor attraction at tourism and culture agencies, impacting growth in self-generated revenue and contributing to the overall economy.

Indicator

• Annual attendance at MTCG public facing attractions

Target value and date

• The ministry is developing a new indicator for this outcome and will be updating target information next year.

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Agency programs
• Fort William Historical Park
• Huronia Historical Parks

Strategic priority: Gaming

To support a strong gaming sector and deliver gaming entertainment experiences in a socially responsible manner that maximizes economic benefits for the people of Ontario.

Intended outcome: Growth in provincial non-tax revenue from gaming agencies to support the province’s fiscal sustainability.

Outcome: Growth in provincial non-tax revenue from gaming agencies to support the province’s fiscal sustainability.

Indicator

• Provincial non-tax revenue from gaming agencies

Target value and date

• $2,652 M (2025-26)

Programs that contribute to the KPI result

• Gaming policy

Key programs and initiatives

The ministry’s key decisions and investments include:

• developing the Destination Niagara Strategy by bringing new attractions and accommodations to the region to increase visitations, extend the duration of stays and boost marketing and promotion of the region as an international destination. This includes:
  • investing $35 million over three years to rebuild the Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre to boost Niagara tourism and support Canadian culture. This capital funding will bring a new, larger, modern theatre to Niagara-on-the-Lake and is part of the government’s commitment to boost tourism in the region and establish Niagara as a world-class destination
  • redeveloping the Toronto Power Generating Station into the region’s only five-star hotel, which is funded entirely though a more than $200 million private-sector investment, and working with the Niagara Parks Commission to make additional investments in potential new attractions (for example, Ontario Power Generating Station, Miller’s Creek Marina)
  • exploring opportunities to continue to grow the existing gaming market
• supporting Destination Wasaga by investing $2 million to support the Town of Wasaga in realizing their tourism vision and economic plan as well as $25 million to support the redevelopment of Nancy Island Historic Site. These investments will preserve local heritage, create jobs, boost tourism and support economic growth across the region
• investing up to $50 million over three years to update and expand the McMichael Canadian Art Collection facility and grounds in Kleinburg. This funding will support much-needed repairs and upgrades to the 70-year-old building, increasing the capacity for its existing programs, meetings and special events
• increasing by $8 million the Festival Events and Attractions Grants Transfer Payment. This program provides support to events that generate significant regional economic impacts as well as help bolster Ontario’s tourism and destination attraction efforts and profile

Detailed financial information

Table 2: Combined operating and capital summary by vote

Historic trend analysis data

For additional financial information, see:

• Expenditure Estimates
• Public Accounts of Ontario
• 2025 Ontario Budget

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

The ministry is responsible for accountability and oversight of thirteen board-governed agencies.

Board-governed agencies

Destination Ontario (DO) (formerly known as the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation): ^{footnote 5[5]} DO promotes Ontario as a travel destination, including joint marketing initiatives in cooperation with the tourism industry, regional tourism organizations, governments and agencies.

iGaming Ontario (iGO): iGO conducts and manages internet gaming in Ontario through private operators.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection (MCM): Based on a 1965 donation by the McMichael family, the MCM is a major public art gallery devoted to the collection and exhibition of Canadian art.

Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation (MTCC): The MTCC manages a world-class convention facility in Toronto with more than 600,000 square feet of exhibit space, meeting rooms, ballroom space and a 1,330-seat theatre to host international and national conventions, trade and consumer shows.

Niagara Parks Commission (NPC): Established in 1885, the NPC is mandated to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River corridor for the enjoyment of visitors and future generations.

Ontario Arts Council (OAC): As Ontario’s primary funding body for professional arts activities, OAC provides grants, scholarships and awards for the creation of art to benefit and enrich the lives of Ontarians.

Ontario Creates (OC) (formally known as the Ontario Media Development Corporation): The OC stimulates employment, investment and original content creation in Ontario’s cultural media cluster, including book and magazine publishing, film and television, interactive digital media, and live and recorded music.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG): The OLG conducts and manages gaming on behalf of the Province of Ontario, including casinos, lottery, charitable gaming and internet gaming through OLG.ca. Private service providers manage daily casino operations. OLG also administers horse racing funding.

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF): The OTF is one of Canada’s leading charitable grant-making foundations. It helps build strong and healthy communities through contributions to charitable and not-for-profit organizations.

Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation (OCC): The OCC manages a world-class convention facility in Ottawa. The 200,000 square foot facility hosts international and national conventions and consumer and trade shows.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The ROM promotes education, teaching, research and publication and collects and exhibits objects, documents and books to illustrate the natural history of Ontario, Canada and the world, and human history in all the ages. It is one of the largest museums in North America.

Science North (SCN): The SCN features several attractions, including a science centre and model mine in Sudbury. It also provides public programming throughout Northern Ontario about science and technology and their relationship to society.

St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC): The SLPC provides recreational, cultural and heritage, educational and tourism opportunities at its attractions along 200 kilometres of the St. Lawrence River, including the award-winning heritage attractions: Upper Canada Village and the Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ministry organizational chart

May 2025

• Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming — Stan Cho
  • Parliamentary Assistants to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming —
    Billy Denault
    Mohamed Firin
    Effie Triantafilopoulos
  • Deputy Minister — Nancy Kennedy
    • Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister — Jennifer MacGowan (A)
    • Assistant Deputy Minister, Tourism and Culture — Katherine Kelly Gatten
      • Director, Culture and Strategic Policy — Lorraine Dooley
      • Director, Investment and Development Office — Hayley Berlin
      • Director, Tourism Policy and Research — Tony Marzotto
    • Assistant Deputy Minister, Agency Relations and Accountability — Lisa LaVecchia
      • Director, Agency Relations and Accountability Office — Hena Tyyebi (A)
      • Director, Financial Performance and Strategy Office — Cameron Whitehead
      • General Manager, Fort William Historical Park — Patrick Morash
      • General Manager, Huronia Historical Parks — Will Baird
    • ADM/Chief Administrative Officer, Regional and Corporate Services ^{footnote 10[10]} — Kristina Lauesen (A)
      • Director, Human Resources — Erin Sarantis (A)
      • Director, Corporate Finance — Ryan Corrigan (A)
      • Director, Regional Services — Marie Campbell
      • Director, Strategic Policy Development and Planning — Roderick Browning (A)
      • Director, Business Services Integration — Stephane Baffier-Rochonnat (A)
    • Assistant Deputy Manager, Gaming — Jill Vienneau
      • Director, Gaming Policy — Maureen Johnson
      • Director, Gaming Special Projects — Liza Kobrinsky (A)
    • Director, Communications ^{footnote 11[11]} — Estelle Saint-Martin
    • Legal Director ^{footnote 12[12]} — Cheryl Carson (A)
    • CIO/ ADM/Community Services I&IT ^{footnote 13[13]} — Rocco Passero

• Ministerial agencies
  • Destination Ontario
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection
  • Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre
  • Niagara Parks Commission
  • Ontario Arts Council
  • Ontario Creates
  • Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
  • Ontario Trillium Foundation
  • Ottawa Convention Centre
  • Royal Ontario Museum
  • Science North
  • St.  Lawrence Parks Commission

Note: “(A)” denotes acting.

Annual report

Strategic investments in ministry programs boost economic growth and employment in local communities across the province and help improve quality of life by promoting and delivering tourism and cultural experiences.

The ministry is committed to contributing towards increasing the economic impact and community benefits of Ontario’s tourism, culture and gaming sectors. Ministry programs aim to improve these outcomes and are measured in a number of key performance indicators (including most recent trend data available at the time of printing).

• Outcome: Increased economic impact of tourism spending in Ontario
  • Performance indicator: Increase Ontario tourism spending
  • 2019: $29.4 B
  • 2020: $11.2 B
  • 2021: $14.6 B
  • 2022: $28.6 B
  • 2023: $34.0 B
  • 2024: $33.9 B
  • Target (2025): Target is under review.
• Outcome: Increased economic impact of culture in Ontario
  • Performance indicator: Increase Ontario culture GDP
  • 2019: $25.1 B
  • 2020: $22.6 B
  • 2021: $24.8 B
  • 2022: $26.5 B
  • 2023: $28.0 B
  • Target (2025): $29.9 B
• Outcome: Increased visitor attraction at tourism and culture agencies, impacting growth in self-generated revenue and contributing to the overall economy
  • Performance indicator: Annual attendance at MTCG public facing attractions
  • 2019–20: $5.6 M
  • 2021–22: $2.2 M
  • 2022–23: $5.1 M
  • 2023–24: $7.6 M
  • Target: The ministry is developing a new indicator for this outcome and will be updating values next year.
• Outcome: Growth in provincial non-tax revenue from gaming agencies to support the Province’s fiscal sustainability
  • Performance indicator: Provincial non-tax revenue from gaming agencies
  • 2019–20: $2,303 M
  • 2020–21: $359 M
  • 2021–22: $1,562 M
  • 2022–23: ^{footnote 14[14]} $2,601 M
  • 2023–24: $2,544 M
  • Target (2024–25): ^{footnote 15[15]} $2,628 M

Below are results the ministry achieved in 2024–25:

Tourism and culture programs

Description

The ministry is responsible for strategic policy, programs and services, and research initiatives related to the arts, cultural industries, community museums, public libraries and tourism in Ontario.

The ministry works with partners to profile Ontario to international and domestic audiences as a province that is rich in cultural resources and attractions. The ministry supports building strong, vibrant communities that promote lifelong learning with access to information through public libraries and exposure to cultural experiences through community museums. The ministry helps to cultivate and grow Ontario’s regional and economic tourism profile, and provides funding to support festivals and events that enrich the lives of all Ontarians.

Progress and results

• Invested $2 million through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund to support cultural tourism in communities across the province. This funding helped 61 arts, heritage and cultural organizations develop, promote and present high-quality, high-profile events that strengthen local economies, create jobs and enable audiences of all ages experience the best that Ontario has to offer.
• Invested an additional $1.25 million annually in First Nations public libraries to ensure continued delivery of in-demand resources, services and programming to the communities they serve. This enhanced funding provides residents of all ages with access to supports promoting success in school, enabling skills development and reinforcing and revitalizing cultural identity.
• Invested over $19.5 million to support festivals and events in Ontario, including 254 events funded through the ministry’s Experience Ontario program, which helps attract visitors, boosts local and regional economies and celebrates diverse cultures and identities.
• Provided $1.5 million in support of the Honda Indy Toronto—an annual IndyCar Series race that draws international interest and highlights the dynamic spirit of the province.
• Supported free admission on January 25 and 26, 2025, to the ROM's exhibition “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” The program aimed to raise awareness and increase access to this important exhibition, and provided an opportunity for the province to continue to support Holocaust education and combat antisemitism.
• Replaced the Commercial Theatre Development Fund transfer payment agreement with the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts and the Ontario Heritage Trust. The new agreement focuses on growing Ontario’s commercial theatre sector by supporting mid- to large-scale development initiatives, with the goal of producing commercial theatre productions—particularly original Canadian works. The remaining funds are expected to support approximately 10 such initiatives over the next five years.
• Participated in the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Culture and Heritage Table, culminating in the Minister’s attendance at the 2024 Ministers Meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon, where Ontario strengthened ties with provincial and territorial partners and advocated for Ontario’s provincial interests with federal colleagues.
• In cooperation with the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, the ministry hosted its annual “Meet the Tourism Investor Dragons” event in November 2024, which brought together 10 municipalities and various developer/investor groups from across Ontario, proving to be a major success and paving the way for identifying potential investment opportunities.
• Delivered more than $28 million to the library sector in Ontario in 2024–25, funding the day-to-day operations of libraries across the province, enhancing the capacity and sustainability of libraries and ensuring equitable access to library services.
• Administered the Annual Survey of Public Libraries which assesses several key metrics including finance, usage levels, collections, and technology and is a condition of receiving annual operating grants.
• Provided $4.9 million in critical operating support to 166 community museums through the Community Museum Operating Grant program. As custodians and interpreters of Ontario's cultural heritage, community museums tell the stories of Ontario’s diverse communities through their exhibits, collections, and programming and are an essential component of a strong cultural tourism sector, generating employment opportunities and stimulating local economies.
• Provided $125,000 to Ontario Culture Days to support coordination of their annual festival, which included over 1,800 events and 585 participating organizations across 94 Ontario municipalities.
• Delivered the ministry’s 2024 Ontario Public Library Service Awards which recognize Ontario’s public libraries for their creative library service ideas.
• Supported the Pauline McGibbon award, an annual award established in 1981 to honour former Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, for her support and patronage of the arts. The award is given to a member of the professional theatre community in the early stages of their career who has displayed a unique talent and a potential for excellence.
• Provided $19.3 million to 11 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) for delivering tourism activities in Ontario, and initiated a program and mandate review to assess how the regional tourism program meets the needs of the sector.
• The ministry supported Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy through engagement with tourism stakeholders in consultations and as part of Ontario Regulatory Registry posting on the Accommodation Sector Registration of Guests Act, 2021.
• Ontario Creates, an agency of the ministry that offers a variety of programs and resources to support Ontario's cultural sector conducted an extensive review of its programs in 2024–25 including the Ontario Music Investment Fund, Book Fund, Magazine Fund, Film Fund Marketing and Distribution Initiative and the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Discoverability and Commercialization program. Program redesign work based on the results of these reviews is being undertaken for 2025–26.
  • 2024–25 also saw the continuation of both AcceleratiON and the Diversity Enhancement as time-limited initiatives. These programs provide targeted support to diverse-led projects and businesses that demonstrate high potential for economic and cultural growth.
  • The new Ontario Creates Intellectual Property Fund was launched in early 2025. This new fund replaced the Film Fund and the IDM Fund and will drive economic growth in Ontario’s screen sectors by investing in activities that support the production and exploitation of innovative, high-quality, consumer-focused content.

Ontario cultural media tax credits

Description

Ontario's cultural media tax credits incentivize increased levels of production in the film and television, interactive digital media and book publishing industries in Ontario. The tax credits help stimulate economic activity and job creation in Ontario while also enhancing the province’s cultural profile.

Progress and results

• Supported Ontario Creates, an agency of the ministry, in its administration of Ontario’s five cultural media tax credits (nearly $1 billion budgeted toward these five cultural media tax credits in 2024–25).
  • To support the ministry’s goal of speeding up program administration and addressing the current backlog, the ministry provided 10 full-time equivalents in 2024–25.
• Reviewing the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit regional bonus to ensure it effectively supports film and television production across the province.
• Simplified eligibility for the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects (OCASE) Tax Credit to help companies get their tax credits faster while ensuring the credit continues to support professional productions:
  • Qualified corporations are required to incur a minimum threshold of $25,000 in Ontario labour expenditures for each film or television production within up to two taxation years in order to claim the 18% OCASE Tax Credit.
  • Certain types of productions are excluded from eligibility, including but not limited to instructional, music and gaming videos.

Agency programs

Description

The ministry's agencies, transfer payment entities and attractions promote the cultural fabric of Ontario as well as its economic growth and job creation by offering a range of educational, recreational, cultural and entertainment programs for residents and visitors. The ministry is responsible for governance, appointments, accountability and oversight of operating and capital funding for agencies and attractions within its portfolio, including two directly operated attractions.

Progress and results

The ministry’s agencies, transfer payment entities and attractions have achieved much in 2024–25, including the following examples:

• Maintained the province’s annual investment in professional arts and arts organizations through the support of Ontario Arts Council and continued implementation of its new strategic plan. This has helped maximize the impact of the arts sector, boosting economic activity, employment and community engagement.
• Niagara Parks Commission executed a lease and commenced construction for the Toronto Power Generating Station. This redevelopment project will create the region’s only five-star hotel, which is funded entirely through a more than $200 million private-sector investment.
• Science North’s annual Bluecoat Ball: Building Brilliance sold out and raised over $190,000 in support of Science North’s Science for All Fund. Science North projected 81,000 admissions at its Dynamic Earth site in 2024–25, anchored by a transformation of the MacLean Engineering Gallery, launch of the Regreening Film, and a new operational model that will increase operation days on site to capture more school visits, local visitors, and increased tourism from bus tours.
• The Metro Toronto Convention Centre hosted the annual award-winning Prospectors and Developers Association Convention (PDAC) that brought together 27,000 attendees from over 135 countries for educational programming, networking events, business opportunities and fun. Since its origins in 1932, it is the event of choice for the world’s mineral industry hosting more than 1,100 exhibitors and 700 presenters.
• The Ottawa Convention Centre hosted the inaugural Canadian National Emergency Preparedness and Climate Adaptation Convention (CEPCA). The event brought together over 6,000 attendees, including 1,500 conference delegates and featuring over 150 exhibitors. With its blend of a strategic conference, a technical conference, and a comprehensive exhibition, CEPCA aimed to foster a collaborative environment where key stakeholders could address some of the most pressing challenges facing Canada today.
• Huronia Historical Parks North Court Fireplace Project at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons awarded the Material Conservation Award of merit by the Canadian association of Heritage Planners.
• The introduction of dining domes at Huronia Historical Parks’ Restaurant Sainte-Marie has significantly enhanced its market appeal, attracting over 1,000 new visitors and establishing the venue as a premier destination for both local and international guests, supporting broader tourism and economic development objectives.
• Transferred responsibility of the Thousand Island Parkway from the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) to the Ministry of Transportation. This change protects local communities from the rising costs of upkeep and ensures the 40-kilometre scenic parkway remains in good repair. The transfer will free up critical resources and funds that allow the SLPC to focus on providing a high-quality experience for the millions of commuters, residents and tourists who use it for boating, camping and other activities every year.
• Continued planning work for repairing and rehabilitating the SLPC’s septic systems, drinking water systems and washrooms across its campgrounds, beaches, and attractions in southeastern Ontario.
• Completed work at SLPC’s Morrisburg Campus to address issues associated with its electrical infrastructure.
• Initiated a capital redevelopment project of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, to redevelop the aging facility while modernizing its functionality for the purpose of enhancing service offerings and capacity to drive revenue growth. The ministry is investing up to $50 million over three years to ensure one of the country’s largest collections of Canadian and Indigenous art will be ready to welcome and inspire visitors of all ages for generations to come.
• Continued facility condition assessment across the ministry’s agencies and attractions to modernize the Ministry’s asset management practices to be more responsive to agencies capital needs by leveraging the Lifecycle Asset Management Program system. This technology contains features and protocols that will enable better asset management planning that will support metrics and analytic capabilities to prioritize critical planning.
• Supported and invested in IT/cyber security projects and initiatives across ministry agencies and attractions to proactively mitigate potential cyber security risks.

Ontario Trillium Foundation program

Description

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector.

Progress and results

• Invested over $70 million to support 788 projects in 222 diverse communities, through the OTF programs in the arts, culture, heritage, sports and recreation, human and social services, and environmental sectors across Ontario.
  • Provided more than $16 million to support 245 projects through the OTF’s Seed grant stream. This funding will help local non-profits, charities, small municipalities and Indigenous communities pilot, test or launch new initiatives that will directly benefit their communities.
  • Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested over $718 million in more than 6,900 projects at non-profit organizations across the province, creating more than 8,800 full time jobs and generating more than $1 billion in economic benefits to communities across Ontario.

Gaming program

Description

The ministry guides the development of provincial gaming policy and supports a strong gaming sector in a socially responsible manner through governance oversight of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and policy development related to commercial matters, revenue sharing with First Nations, charitable gaming and responsible gambling.

Progress and results

As published in the 2025 Budget, OLG delivered a return of $2,403 million in Net Profit to the Province (NPP) in 2024–25 (Interim). Combined with iGO, the return to the Province was $2,628 million in NPP in 2024–25. Additionally, the OLG:

• Provided an estimated $186 million to the Ontario First Nations (2008) Limited Partnership, through the Gaming Revenue Sharing and Financial Agreement.
  • This includes funds distributed to OFNLP2008 as a result of a negotiated agreement in 2024–25, among the Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation (IAFNER), the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and OLG, to settle the second Non-Gaming Revenue dispute.
• Provided an estimated additional $30 million to Ontario First Nations with casinos located on their reserve.
• Provided $155 million to municipalities and Ontario First Nations for hosting Land-based Casino Gaming facilities and Charitable Gaming Centres.
• Flowed $102 million in direct funding to Ontario’s horse racing industry through the Amended and Restated Funding Agreement for Live Horse Racing.
• Generated $111 million in Charitable Gaming proceeds distributed to participating local charities.

In 2024–25, the Ontario government’s gaming policy function moved from the Ministry of Finance to the rebranded Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

• The ministry has worked with the Ministry of the Attorney General to transfer agency oversight of iGaming Ontario to the ministry. The ministry became responsible for oversight of iGaming Ontario on effective May 12, 2025.
• On November 6, 2024, the iGaming Ontario Act, 2024 received Royal Assent as part of the Building Ontario For You Act (Budget Measures), 2024.
• This transfer of responsibility for agency oversight will strengthen iGaming Ontario’s governance and accountability structure as well as contribute to the continued success of Ontario’s thriving igaming market.

In 2024–25, OLG made significant progress on the Windsor Casino procurement which was launched in April 2023. ^{footnote 16[16]}

• This included holding meetings with the pre-qualified proponents and securing necessary approvals that allowed for OLG to release the final contracts for bidding at the end of 2024.
• In July 2024, OLG successfully extended the existing operating agreement with Caesars Entertainment to March 2026 to allow for the completion of the procurement process.