NEWS RELEASES
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TOURISM
ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES UNION
********************* Regis and Kelly show to remind U.S. viewers of visitors' love affair with Ontario, Niagara Falls
McGuinty government support brings talk show to Niagara Falls
NIAGARA FALLS, ON, May 21 - Up to five million U.S. television viewers will see Niagara Falls and area showcased on the "Live with Regis and Kelly" broadcast on Victoria Day, providing promotion worth up to $4 million to the tourism industry, Tourism Minister Jim Bradley said today. "The Regis and Kelly shows will be a promotional home run for Ontario tourism, directly targeting our important market in the United States," said Bradley. "The McGuinty government is investing in this opportunity to showcase Niagara on U.S. daytime television because we are on the side of Ontario's tourism industry. Tourism is an economic powerhouse that creates jobs, especially summer jobs for young people, and builds strong communities across the province." On Victoria Day, Monday May 22, Regis and Kelly will produce two one-hour shows featuring Niagara's history as "Honeymoon Capital of the World," and highlighting many attractions at one of the world's great natural wonders.
One show will be broadcast live at 9 a.m. on Monday; the second will be taped at 11 a.m. on Monday and broadcast Tuesday.
Live with Regis and Kelly is the second-most-watched daytime talk show in the United States, after Oprah. "Our government supports the tourism industry by working with the media to encourage publicity about Ontario as a destination," said Bradley.
The provincial government invested $125,000 to help bring the Regis and Kelly production to Niagara Falls. Support for this Niagara promotion is the latest way the McGuinty government is working to help Ontario's tourism industry.
Other initiatives include:
- arranging the North American premiere of the Chinese Lantern Festival at Ontario Place, which is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors this summer - supporting the new musical production Lord of the Rings, which is expected to bring $700 million a year in tourism benefits to Ontario - partnering with the tourism industry to create a $4 million summer advertising campaign that includes television spots in primary U.S. target markets and a six-page insert in 14.4 million U.S. newspapers.
********************* Casino workers to rally as strike deadline approaches NIAGARA FALLS, ON - As a June 2 strike deadline approaches, security personnel at Casino Niagara will rally in Niagara Falls on Monday morning to urge their employer to get back to the bargaining table with a serious offer.
Date: Monday, May 22, 2006 Time: 8:30 a.m. Place: Oakes Garden Theatre, Queen Victoria Park, NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario
Casino security staff, who number about 400, are members of Local 278 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Wages, job security, and seniority are major issues in the contract negotiations.
With over 40 full-time vacancies at the casino currently unfilled, job posting is also on the table. "We bargained with this employer for 19 days before they tabled a monetary proposal of any kind," said OPSEU negotiator Virgery Vanier. "Our members have decided to take action now to end this slow-motion bargaining and get something happening now." The TV talk show "Live with Regis and Kelly" will be live from a nearby location at 9 a.m. Monday, Vanier noted. "We invite our supporters to come down and join us, but those who can't make it should be able to tune in and see us on TV," said Vanier.
*********************