Wayne Gates
Special to The Lake Report

I was thrilled to see the recent announcement of $35 million in provincial funding over three years for the Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This investment is a vote of confidence in our region, our people, and our future.

This is an issue we have been working on together as a community for well over a year. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the Shaw Festival, local businesses, and community leaders to advocate for this critical funding.

Today, I’m proud to say that the hard work has paid off. This funding ensures that the Royal George Theatre, one of the crown jewels of our arts and culture sector, will not only survive but thrive for generations to come.

The Royal George has an impact that echoes across our region and our province. Built over a century ago as a temporary structure, its clay foundation has been dissolving for decades, causing regular flooding and putting the theatre’s future at risk.

Without immediate support, the Royal George would have been forced to close its doors at the end of this year — a devastating loss to the local economy and our cultural identity.

That’s why I’ve been so vocal in my support of the Shaw’s “All Together Now” campaign. In February 2024, I wrote to then-minister of tourism Neil Lumsden urging the province to make this critical investment. 

I highlighted not only the artistic value of the Shaw, but its enormous economic impact: The Shaw is the second-largest theatre company in North America and the single biggest economic driver for arts and culture in Ontario. Each year, it directly supports over 2,500 local jobs and contributes over $238 million to the province’s GDP.

But the Shaw’s impact doesn’t stop at the stage. For every dollar spent on a Shaw ticket, over $7 is spent at local businesses — from restaurants and wineries to hotels and shops. The Royal George Theatre alone attracts more than 100,000 annual attendees and brings over $70 million in revenue to the surrounding businesses. 

Independent analysis from PwC shows that a successful investment could create 850 new jobs and generate $80 million in additional annual GDP, with a legacy economic impact of over $630 million by 2035.

This is why this funding matters so deeply. This isn’t just about supporting the arts — it’s about investing in jobs, tourism, small businesses and the unique character of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

It’s about making sure that our children and grandchildren can continue to experience world-class theatre in one of the most beautiful towns in the country. It’s about protecting the heritage and economic backbone of our community.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played a role in making this happen: The Shaw Festival’s dedicated leadership team, particularly executive director Tim Jennings, who kept all 600 staff employed through the pandemic thanks to innovative and forward-thinking planning; the community members and donors who stepped up to raise $40 million; and of course, the provincial government for recognizing the value of this institution.

I will always be a champion for Niagara-on-the-Lake and our incredible arts and tourism sector. This announcement is proof that when we work together — across all levels of government and community — we can achieve big things.

Let’s celebrate this milestone and keep building a strong, vibrant, and resilient future for Niagara.