Workers within writing and publishing can expect support from the province in delivering stories and community-driven events locally.
The Ontario government has announced more than $7 million to promote and give aid to the literary arts and publishing sector in 2025 and 2026.
“Ontario’s literary and publishing sector is a cornerstone of our cultural identity,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
“By protecting and promoting Ontario’s authors, publishers and storytellers, we’re preserving our shared heritage while driving economic growth and creative opportunity in communities across the province. When Ontario’s artists thrive, our whole province thrives.”
The initiative is provided through various agencies and grant programs, as listed in a release by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming:
- “Ontario Creates, which is investing $5.1 million in the publishing industry to support Canadian authors and fund the creation, marketing and development of literary projects.”
- “Ontario Arts Council, which is investing $1.9 million across 75 artists and arts organizations to foster the creation, publication and presentation of new and diverse written and spoken works in Ontario.”
- “Experience Ontario 2025, a competitive festivals and events grant program, which is investing more than $100,000 to support literary festivals that promote Canadian heritage and culture, create jobs and attract visitors.”
(Toronto International Festival of Authors event, Ontario Science Centre website)
Canada’s biggest and longest standing literary festival, the Toronto International Festival of authors, will receive “over $200,000 as it welcomes writers, thinkers and visitors from around the world this week”, said the release.
This move is backed by those in the creative industry that believe culture and arts have an impact on not only the diversity of the community, but the positive economic impact for Ontario.
It benefits “communities by attracting visitors—many from overseas—who stay longer in local accommodations, dine at restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses,” said the release.
“Investments in the literary sector encourage cultural engagement, support opportunities for creative entrepreneurship and help lifelong learning among diverse audiences.”
This comes after Ontario’s culture sector gave over $27 billion to the province’s GDP in 2023.
