New campaign showcases some of Ontario’s premier travel, culinary and artistic destinations
“Now more than ever, it is vital that we stand together to support our local communities and celebrate the people and experiences that make Ontario the best place in the world to live, work and visit.” – Stan Cho, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
“We Stand is more than a campaign — it’s a call to explore, connect, and take pride in the places and people that shape Ontario’s identity.” – Vincenza Ronaldi, CEO of Destination Ontario
News from the Government of Ontario and Destination Ontario
Posted May 27th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
A Memorial Day weekend morning on the U.S. side of the Peace Bridge. We used to come in droves. Now most of us are coming no more.
A Brief Forward Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – If Trump’s war against Canada has done at least one good thing, it has been to encourage us to stop crossing the Canada-U.S. border to his country and discover more of our own.
Just this past weekend alone – a holiday weekend in the United States – and typically one that sees large line-ups of Canadians crossing the Peace Bridge to enter the U.S., the U.S. side of the bridge was virtually empty of traffic.
Of course, for Americans who believe Trump’s nonsense that Canada is a hot bed for drug dealers and other criminals, a plunge in the number of Canadians crossing over to their country may very well be good news too.
Now here is the News Release from the Ontario government and Destination Ontario. –
TORONTO – As summer nears, there has never been a better time to explore and celebrate all the beauty and culture Ontario has to offer.
In the face of U.S. tariffs, continued economic uncertainty and renewed interest in travelling within Canada, the Ontario government is launching a new marketing campaign to encourage domestic travel and protect local Ontario businesses.
The We Stand campaign features breathtaking Ontario landscapes, from Pelee Island to the Lake of the Woods, as well as many of the province’s top culinary and visual artists.
“At a time when so many families are looking for made-in-Canada adventures, our campaign invites people to explore their own backyard and discover the rich, diverse tourism destinations our province has to offer,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that we stand together to support our local communities and celebrate the people and experiences that make Ontario the best place in the world to live, work and visit.”
The We Stand campaign highlights the communities and local businesses, people and places across the province that make Ontario unforgettable, and features some of the province’s top performers, brewmasters, farmers, culinary artists and winemakers.
Tourism in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario could be booming this summer. photo by Doug Draper
Ontario’s tourism industry is a cornerstone of the provincial economy, supporting more than 325,000 jobs and 92,000 businesses in every corner of the province and contributing $32 billion to its GDP. In all, this year, the provincial government is investing nearly $200 million to protect Ontario’s tourism sector, including support for over 350 festivals and events across the province and grants for regional tourism organizations, agencies and attractions.
Quick Facts
- The campaign can be seen on television, digital billboards, in cinemas and social media platforms and heard on radios and digital audio channels.
- Destination Ontario offers inspiration, trip planning and travel advice – from extended stay trip ideas for solo and group travel to active getaways, relaxing vacations and experiences in diverse locations across the province.
- Nearly 9 in 10 Ontario residents expect to take an overnight pleasure trip within the province this year.
“We Stand is more than a campaign — it’s a call to explore, connect, and take pride in the places and people that shape Ontario’s identity. Through powerful storytelling and bold visuals, this campaign invites Ontarians to rediscover the province and support the tourism businesses that are vital to our communities. At Destination Ontario, we’re proud to lead this initiative with our agency of record, Broken Heart Love Affair, and to inspire travel that celebrates the richness and diversity of experiences right here at home.” – Vincenza Ronaldi, CEO of Destination Ontario
To watch a short video produced for the We Stand campaign, click on the screen immediately below –
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