KINGSTON, Ont. — The Government of Canada has announced an investment of more than $3.7 million for 27 organizations across Eastern Ontario that are diversifying their offerings and contributing to attracting new visitors to the region. This includes five projects that support Indigenous tourism across Eastern Ontario.
The S.S. Keewatin has been newly restored and opened. Originally built in 1907 by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd. and owned by CP Rail, this Edwardian-era steamship liner was brought to Kingston, Ont. in October 2023. It opened for tours in May 2024 following a restoration which included $250,000 in support through the Tourism Growth Program.
In addition to this support, the Great Lakes Museum received more than $77,000 from Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to renovate their historic Pump House, which still contains the Victorian-era steam engines and pumps that operated the dry dock, functions as a key heritage display and the museum’s primary programming space.
“Eastern Ontario offers natural beauty and rich heritage to the many tourists who visit each year. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian tourism experiences, such as the Great Lakes Museum, as they expand their offerings and welcome visitors to their must-see attractions in the region,” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
