The Community Economic Development Commission Tourism Development Fund (CEDC Tourism Development Fund, formerly known as the  CEDC MAT Fund) is supported by tax revenues collected quarterly by the City of Thunder Bay through the administration of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).

CEDC Tourism Development Fund Logo

The MAT is levied on short-term stays 30 days or less at hotel, motel and other accommodation properties in the City of Thunder Bay, at a rate of 4%. The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) administers 50% of this tax revenue to support continued tourism growth and development by providing funding through two funding streams.

Funding Streams

  1. The CEDC Tourism Event Fund provides financial support to tourism events that demonstrate a capacity to attract out of town visitors and generate overnight stays at accommodation properties collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax in Thunder Bay. A tourism event may include sport championships and tournaments, cultural shows, music concerts, festivals, meetings, conventions and other gatherings attracting out-of-town visitors for overnight stays.

  2. The CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund provides support for projects that enhance existing, or create new business products, facilities and infrastructure that will result in a measurable improvement to the tourism experiences and opportunities to attract visitors to Thunder Bay. All projects must show broader community impact to the tourism and hospitality industry and should not solely increase the benefit to one organization.

The CEDC accepts applications year-round. In order to receive timely funding approval applicants are encouraged to apply 90-days prior to events and project start dates requiring less than $50,000, and 120 days prior to events requiring funding greater than $50,000.  

Current and Past Funding Recipients
2023
 U21 Northern Ontario Provincial Championship
 
 U14 Ontario Cup Provincial Championships
 
 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals 2023
 
 Provincial Aspire Meet
 
 Country on the Bay 2023
 
 All Ontario U13 AAA Hockey Championship
 
 Martial Arts and Health Expo 2023
 
 Urban Fishery
 
 Thunder Bay Climbing Guide
 
 C2U Expo 2023
 
 BrewHa Festival 2023
 
 Wake the Giant 2023
 
 2022
 Magnus Theatre – The Next Stage

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Magnus Theatre

The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are pleased to provide $150,000 in funding support to Magnus Theatre – The Next Stage through the CEDC Tourism Development Fund. 

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 International Wushu Festival & National Championships
The championship showcases martial arts routines with and without weapons apparatus as well as combative component testing. The event determined who will represent Canada at International events in 2023-2023. 
 UBC National Apprenticeship Competition


CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to UBC National Apprenticeship CompetitionCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $30,750 in funding support from the Tourism Development Fund for the 2022 UBC National Apprenticeship Competition.

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 Silver Islet Harbour Association (SIHA) – Marina Enhancement


CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Silver Islet Harbour AssociationCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $30,000 to the Silver Islet Harbour Association

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 Country on the Bay
The event is a four day country music festival which was held at Fort William Historical Park. The inaugural event took place in July 2022. 

 Splish Splash Water Park

 
CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Splish Splash Water ParkCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $30,000 to the Splish Splash Water Park

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StrEATery

CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $41,500 to The StreateryCEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Thunder Bay Streatery

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 Martial Arts and Health Expo


CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Martial Arts and Health ExpoCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $4,000 in funding support for the 2022 Martial Arts and Health Expo.

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Northern Ontario Senior Curling Championship
The event occurred April 2022 with the winner of the men’s and women’s Senior Curling Championship advanced to the national championship.  
 High Noon 24 Hr Trail Race and Relay


CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to High Noon 24 Trail Race and RelayCEDC Tourism Development FUND provides $5,000 to the high noon 24hr trail race & relay

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 Thunder City Speedway Grand Opening Invitational
The invitational event occurred in June 2022 and marked the official grand opening of the Thunder City Speedway racing facility. 
 Northern Ontario Disc Golf Championship
The event is a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) sanctioned A-tier tournament open to both professional and amateur players. Players visited three disc golf courses as part of the competition. 
 Mount Baldy Ski Area Enhancement
The project includes installation of a Resort Management System (RMS) designed to use Radio Frequency ID passes to create better experiences for guests. 
 Lappe Ski Centre Enhancement
The project includes accessibility improves to the chalet which will allow the facility to host larger events.
 WTRCAT Waterfront Multi-Use Trail Extension Impact Study
The study will provide key information for decision making in regards to a multi-use trail along the city’s waterfront. 
 Wake the Giant Music Festival

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Wake the Giant Music FestivalCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $50,000 in funding support to the Wake the Giant Music Festival 2022

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 Live on the Waterfront
The free performance series occurs over July and August at Marina Park showcasing Canadian performers locally and nationally. 
 Festival of India
The event showcased traditional Indian and Bollywood dances, music, east Indian cuisine, exhibits, children’s activities, chariot parade, Indian bazaar, colour throwing and interactive dances in July 2022. 
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival
The event presents regional, Canadian, and International films as well as local music and visual artists. 
Shuniah Forty Miner

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Shuniah Forty MinerCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $10,100 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to the Shuniah Forty Miner.  

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Digital Transformation Conference


CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to the Digital Transformation ConferenceCEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $10,000 in funding support to the Digital Transformation Conference (DTC)

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ThunderCon
The event is a two-day fan convention that celebrates pop culture and fosters a community of growth and inclusion. 
132nd Annual CLE Family Fair
The annual family fair is a five day event that is the largest fair in Northwestern Ontario, providing rides, carnival eats, games, and entertainment. 
Baseball Friendship Series
The event included a five game baseball series between US and Canada women’s national teams. 
Central Canada Resource Expo
The event is a tradeshow and conference that promotes mining, forestry, construction, and energy sectors within Northwestern Ontario. 
FireCon
The event provides critical regional training and programming for firefighters and emergency first responders for municipalities, unincorporated territories and First Nations in Northwestern Ontario. 
Provincial Cross Country Running Championship
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are please to provide $6,000 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to the OCAA Cross Country Running Championship 2022. Read More...
Northern Ontario Tourism Summit
The conference is a partnership between Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) and Destination Northern Ontario (DNO) to bring together tourism businesses, organizations, suppliers, and levels of government to a single event to find solutions to challenges facing the industry.
AETS Land Based Programming Professional Development Conference
The conference strives to enhance the engagement and retention of Indigenous students at the elementary and secondary levels through Indigenous education, the Anishinaabe journey, program principles, and successful delivery components. 
The Director's Circle: A Celebration of 50 Years of Magnus Theatre
The event is a three day celebration of Magnus Theatre and its history within Thunder Bay and on the national stage. 
EDCO Regional Event 2022
The conference is a full day professional development day for economic development professionals in the region to learn, grow their networks, and understand economic opportunities in Northern Ontario.  
Pool 6 Best Use Study
The study proposes to determine the highest and best use of the Pool 6 property at Prince Arthur’s Landing. 
2023 LSSD Ontario Cup #2
The event is part of an Ontario series presented by Cross Country Ski Ontario (XCSO), sanctioned by Nordiq Canada (NC) for participants to race and rank in the national system. 
Prosperity Northwest 2023
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and Tourism Thunder Bay are please to provide $10,000 in funding support from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund to Prosperity Northwest 2023. Read More...

 

 2021
 Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club – Trowbridge Master Plan Development

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Blacksheep Mountain Bike ClubCEDC MAT Fund provides Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club with $250,000 in support of the Trowbridge Forest Master Plan

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 Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Expansion Feasibility Study
The project includes development of a 761km trail between Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay to the Pigeon River border crossing. 
Kam River Fighting Walleye

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Kam River Fighting WalleyeCEDC MAT Fund provides the Kam River Fighting Walleye with $2,500

 

 Goods & Co. Market

 

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Goods & Co

CEDC MAT Fund provides Goods & Co. Market with $130,000

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 Lakehead Transportation Museum Society
The project aims to increase connectivity along the waterfront by increasing accessibility to the Alexander Henry ship in the form of a ramp. 
 Thunder Bay & Area Food Strategy

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to the Thunder Bay and Area Food StrategyCEDC MAT Fund provides the Thunder Bay & Area Food Strategy with over $40,000 to promote local food sector 

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 Check-In Canada
The project includes establishing a visual database of accommodations and attractions in Thunder Bay. 
 Northern Ontario Disc Golf Championship
The event is a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) sanctioned A-tier tournament open to both professional and amateur players. Players visited three disc golf courses as part of the competition.
 Wake the Giant Music Festival

CEDC MAT Fund makes a $50,000 in principle contribution to the 2021 Wake the Giant Music Festival

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 Silver Islet General Store

 

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Silver Islet General Store

CEDC MAT Fund provides the Silver Islet General Store with $48,000

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 Science North – Visitor Experience Design Study

 

CEDC Tourism Development Fund presenting cheque to Science North

CEDC Tourism Development Fund provides $250,000 to Science North

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 Female Boarder Coalition
The project is a year round indoor skateboarding park in the Cinema 5 location offering open skating, equipment rental, venue rental and programming. 

 

 2020
  • U16 Ontario Alpine Championships
  • Friends of Chippewa 100th Anniversary Family Festival
  • Ontario Winter Games 2024
 2019
  • Scotties Tournament of Hearts
  • Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club - Trowbridge Master Plan
  • Ontario Cup Cross Country Ski Races
  • Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior – Strategic Plan
 Other Funding Programs
 
  • Tourism Relief Fund
    Supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.
  • Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster 
    Supports costs related to hosting major one-time events in Ontario, events that do not recur annually or biennially in Ontario, and national or international events in Ontario.
  • Event Development Grant 
    Supports event organizers with start-up costs associated with hosting or bidding for new and inaugural events as well as international, national, provincial, and regional championships.
  • Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund 
    A cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that either encourage the development of innovative new tourism products, support tourism investment, or build the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry. The program also supports innovative tourism recovery projects aimed at increasing tourism within Ontario to address the reduction in global travel as a results of the coronavirus.
  • Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) 
    The Community Enhancement Program is designed to help build strong and resilient Northern communities through infrastructure investments, to upgrade/repair existing assets to improve community quality of life, economic development infrastructure, and strategic economic development initiatives. 

    The Cultural Supports Program is designed to help showcase Northern Ontario culture, geography, and talent through event partnerships and the production of films and television series.

    The Invest North Program is designed to boost economic growth in Northern Ontario by encouraging businesses to invest in transformative strategic and complementary business development opportunities in Northern communities. The program will support productivity, innovation, business competitiveness, revenue growth, export capacity development, job creation, and retention.

    The People and Talent Program is designed to attract, retain, and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce.

  • Enabling Accessibility Fund 
    Provides funding for projects that make Canadian communities and workplaces more accessible for persons with disabilities.
  • Ontario Trillium Foundation 
    Supports non-profit organizations.
  • Starter Company Plus 
    For businesses in Thunder Bay or Northwestern Ontario that is looking to start-up, expand, or buy an existing business.
  • Economic Development Fund 
    For members of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce to provide direct financial assistance toward specific initiatives that support the growth or strengthening of small businesses in Thunder Bay.
  • Thunder Bay Community Improvement Plan (CIP) 
    Provides grants for eligible construction and/or restoration projects in the downtown and core areas through the Strategic Core Area Community Improvement Plan.
  • Business Technology Improvement Fund (BTIF) 
    Supports full-time businesses that have been operating for at least one year in implementing technology improvements such as enhancing websites, social media, business processes, hardware, software, human capital development and technology education, customer relationship management and online service. 
  • Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) 
    Supports small and medium sized enterprises adopt digital technologies to increase their competitiveness.
  • Northern Ontario Women 
    Supports female business owners access professional services

The CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund from Generator on Vimeo.

The CEDC MAT Fund has been rebranded as the CEDC Tourism Development Fund.

 

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