The Ontario government has announced more than $7 million in funding to protect and promote the province’s literary arts and publishing sector. This investment aims to strengthen Ontario’s creative industries by supporting local authors, publishers, and cultural producers to deliver events and programs that highlight the province’s diverse stories and voices. The initiative is part of Ontario’s commitment to fostering economic growth and preserving its rich cultural heritage.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho emphasized that the literary and publishing sector is a vital part of Ontario’s cultural identity. He noted that investing in the province’s storytellers not only preserves heritage but also fuels creative and economic opportunities across communities.
The funding for 2025–26 will be distributed through key agencies and programs, including $5.1 million via Ontario Creates to support the creation, marketing, and development of literary projects, and $1.9 million through the Ontario Arts Council to assist 75 artists and organizations in producing and presenting new written and spoken works. Additionally, more than $100,000 from the Experience Ontario 2025 program will go toward literary festivals that promote Canadian culture and attract tourism.
This year’s investment also includes over $200,000 for the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), Canada’s largest and longest-running literary festival. Roland Gulliver, Artistic Director and CEO of TIFA, highlighted the government’s continued support, noting that the funding will help the festival bring authors and audiences together year-round and strengthen Ontario’s publishing industry both nationally and internationally.
The government underscored that arts and culture tourism plays a major role in Ontario’s economy by attracting domestic and international visitors who contribute to local businesses. Investment in the literary sector encourages cultural participation, fosters creative entrepreneurship, and supports lifelong learning among diverse communities.
Ontario remains a cultural leader in Canada, contributing over $27 billion to the province’s GDP in 2023 and supporting nearly 270,000 jobs in the cultural sector. The province’s tourism industry also continues to thrive, with visitors spending $33 billion in 2024 and sustaining more than 300,000 jobs.
