Investing in cultural infrastructure helps Canada preserve the experiences of its people and places, and inspires visitors to explore and understand the world around them. The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize that strategic investments in public infrastructure—including funding for cultural projects—play a key role in supporting dynamic communities while creating good jobs that help grow the middle class.
The Honourable Bill Morneau, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and Deane Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, today announced $60 million in federal-provincial funding for the Massey Hall Revitalization project.
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $30 million to this project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component–National and Regional Projects, and is being matched by the Government of Ontario, which is also contributing $30 million. Combined, this represents almost two-thirds of the estimated $94 million total project cost. The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall—a charitable, not-for-profit organization—is responsible for the balance of the funding through its newly launched Massey Hall Forever fundraising campaign.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Massey Hall is an internationally renowned performance venue that contributes to the lives of Canadians through arts, employment, and cultural celebrations. Through this Revitalization project, the exterior and interior of the 124-year-old National Historic Site will be fully restored, and a new addition will be connected through the construction of a new 7-storey South Tower.
The expanded footprint will provide much-needed space to enhance artist and patron amenities while also making the building fully accessible. In addition to the 2700 seat auditorium and revamped Centuries performance space in the original building, the new structure will house a third stage featuring a 500-capacity venue. This new venue will accommodate a wide range of artists and cultural events to help bolster the Corporation’s commitment to artist development, education and community outreach. The Revitalization project will ultimately enable Massey Hall to continue to inspire and entertain Canadians for another century and beyond.
