It's a double fault against taxpayers..Blacklock's Reporter says a federal agency mandated to counter “slow economic growth” in Québec approved $10 million in subsidies for a Montréal tennis tournament..The idea behind the grant was to draw media attention to the province, said staff..Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions in a series of briefing notes said its mandate was to create jobs in poorer parts of the province. The agency since 2015 approved $2.4 billion in subsidies for some 4,900 projects, by official estimate..“The mission is to promote the long term economic development of the regions of Québec by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or where opportunities for productive employment are inadequate,” said a May 16 briefing note..But the agency approved subsidies for the tennis tournament and other events to draw media attention to Québec, it said..“Media coverage of these events helps ensure the vibrancy of this key sector and makes a positive contribution to the branding and visibility of Québec and Canada,” said a separate May 16 briefing note..The agency did not estimate the number of jobs it would create with $10 million for the Montréal tournament..“The goal of the $10 million project is to adapt and enhance the products and experiences associated with the National Bank Open to better position the tournament in the current context by upgrading and greening the various facilities,” it said..The tournament opens August 5 with simultaneous matches in Toronto and Montréal..Last year a separate agency, Federal Economic Development for Southern Ontario, awarded a $9,322,864 subsidy to Toronto tournament organizers as a pandemic relief measure, it said..The tennis subsidies were unconditional grants..“Funding for sporting events helps attract tourists from outside Québec and increases the region’s visibility and reach with a view to attracting foreign visitors in the long term,” said a briefing note..The same economic development agency also approved $8.5 million in subsidies for the Montréal Jazz Festival, $8.5 million for the Montréal Just for Laughs comedy festival, $1.36 million for an ironman triathlon at Mont-Tremblant, Que. to “cover costs associated with marketing,” a separate $380,000 for a fireworks festival in Gatineau and $66,000 for a bluegrass music festival in Gaspé.
