TORONTO — Filmgoers across Canada will soon see pre-show ads featuring celebrities urging tourists to visit Toronto.

Ontario Tourism Minister Brian Coburn announced Tuesday that the province has entered into a partnership with Famous Players to carry the ads, featuring Blue Jay baseball player Roy Halladay and comedians Leslie Nielsen and Colin Mochrie.

Famous Players has donated over $1 million of airtime to run the ads during the pre-show on all 820 screens in 93 locations across Canada, reaching more than 10 million filmgoers. The ads will begin running in September.

Commercials featuring Nielsen and Mochrie have already been airing on television for some time in a effort to boost the city's economy, which was badly damaged by two outbreaks of SARS.

The disease is blamed for the deaths of 43 people in Canada since March, but has been brought under control.

"The Eves government is delighted to join with Famous Players and these celebrities to send the message that Toronto is a safe and exciting place to visit," Coburn said in a statement.