Restoring public confidence critical: MacLeod
Survey says 75% of Ontarians uncomfortable with attending large venues for next 6 months
Some “stark” data gathered by Ontario’s Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture shows the deep impact COVID-19 will have on live events until a vaccine arrives.
Speaking with media during a Zoom conference call Thursday, Minister Lisa MacLeod said “consumer behaviours will significantly change” once a treatment becomes available.
But until then, getting people comfortable with live events again will be crucial.
“This is a very significant issue within this ministry,” she said. “Making sure we are able to restore consumer confidence is going to be critical in order to allow for the success of these sectors in the weeks and months ahead.”
Even if venues are allowed to open, she warns, the public may be leery.
“I really want to warn people that just because we open doesn’t necessarily mean people will be able to come — or will want to — and it will be profitable if and when people do come back. There might be social distancing requirements.”
Results of a survey MacLeod cited showed 43 per cent of Ontario residents are uncomfortable attending an art gallery or museum for at least the next six months, 60 per cent are uncomfortable attending an outdoor entertainment facility, 75 per cent are uncomfortable going to a large concert venue, and 55 per cent would not be comfortable letting their kids go to theatre, dance or music lessons.
MacLeod said the province’s loss in cultural revenue could approach $20 billion this year. When added to the sports and tourism sectors, “this has been an industry that was hit first, hit hardest and will likely take the longest to recover.”
The pandemic has hit Niagara’s theatre scene especially hard, with the Shaw Festival’s entire 2020 season slipping away — all shows have been cancelled until at least July 31.
Earlier this month, the Oh Canada Eh dinner theatre in Niagara Falls closed permanently after 26 years in operation. MacLeod said she was “very sad” to hear news of the company folding.
“We as a ministry have supported them in the past.”
Asked if there would be bailouts available for major theatres like Shaw or Stratford Festival, MacLeod said she is having weekly meetings with her federal counterpart, Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, on how to save “iconic institutions and events.”
“What does Ontario, what does Canada look like post-COVID-19?” she said. “If I asked any of you, you’d still say on a Friday night I’m taking my partner out for dinner then a live performance or movie. I can’t much assure people right now that’s going to be the case.
“We have to work with these organizations to see how we can best support them and in order to do that, it will take money.”
New social behaviours will also be key, she added.
“That is really going to dictate the future market or all of these sectors. I can’t stress that enough — just because we flip the switch and say it’s open, people aren’t necessarily comforted in coming back to their old routines.”