July 25, 2025

Province investing $30,000 in Red Lake for festivals celebrating and commemorating the discovery of gold

RED LAKE — The Ontario government is investing $30,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help Red Lake celebrate and commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of gold in the area. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help the community attract tourists and residents to the events, celebrate Canada’s history and promote local economic growth.

“This investment will help bring tourists, mining and aviation enthusiasts to Red Lake at a time when so many families are looking for made-in-Canada experiences,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Now more than ever, we need to protect Ontario by helping northern communities increase local tourism and celebrate the rich mining history – and its economic benefits – found right here in Northern Ontario.”

The Municipality of Red Lake and the Hwy 105 Tourism and Marketing Board are receiving $15,000 each to support their respective events – the 100th Anniversary of Mining Celebrations and the Red Lake Norseman Festival 100th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold. The municipality will use the funding to cover the costs of entertainment, equipment and venue rentals. Organizers of the Norseman Festival, one of the few aviation-focused festivals in the region, will use the funding to cover the costs for the airshow and live performers, allowing access for a wider audience.

“We are incredibly grateful for the funding support we’ve received from NOHFC for our 100th anniversary events,” said Fred Mota, Mayor, Municipality of Red Lake. “This milestone is not just a reflection of our past, but a commemoration of the people, resilience and community spirit that have shaped Red Lake over the last century. With this funding, we can host inclusive, memorable events that honour our history and bring residents and visitors together to celebrate all that makes our community unique.”

“The Red Lake Norseman Festival Committee sincerely thanks NOHFC for its ongoing support,” said Duane Riddell, Norseman Festival Chairman. “Their funding is essential to our festival budget, enabling us to offer quality, community-wide entertainment. This supports a healthy society, aids local worker retention and recruitment and boosts tourism. Each year, the festival contributes $750,000 to Northwestern Ontario’s GDP, all made possible by NOHFC.”

Announced in June 2025, the Ontario government is refocusing the NOHFC to prioritize investments that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s recently announced investment of an additional $30 million over the next three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.

Quick Facts

• Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across Northern Ontario.
• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $939 million in 7,563 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 11,900 jobs.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.