Government of Canada Invests in Several Quebec City Cultural and Official-Language Groups

QUÉBEC CITY, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 20, 2011) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, accompagnied by the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister for La Francophonie, and Member of Parliament (Louis-Saint-Laurent), today announced funding for five arts, heritage, and official-language organizations in Québec City. Minister Moore made the announcement during his visit to the Centre d'art La Chapelle in the Québec City borough of Rivières, along with representatives of the organizations receiving support.

Funding will help support the Québec Winter Carnival, the Société culturelle de Vanier, Voice of English-Speaking Québec, the Quebec Festival of Sacred Music, and the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec.

"Not only do the arts and culture allow us to enrich our lives, inspire our young people, and tell our stories; they also represent an important part of our economy," said Minister Moore. "By investing in the arts and culture, our Government contributes significantly not only to economic recovery, but also to the quality of life of all Canadians."

"Our Government is proud to support these projects," said Minister Verner. "They will allow people in this area to have access all year long to a variety of cultural events that reflect our region's rich Francophone and Anglophone heritage."

The Government of Canada is providing this total funding of $338,100 under three programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program and the Official Languages Support Programs.

For more information on these projects, please see the attached backgrounder.

(This news release is also available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.) 

Backgrounder

Today's announcement of funding for cultural and official-language groups in Québec City affects the following projects:

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

The Canada Arts Presentation Fund gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

• Société culturelle de Vanier ─ Centre d'art La Chapelle, 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 seasons: $50,000

• Quebec Festival of Sacred Music ─ 15^th Quebec Festival of Sacred Music: $30,000

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

The Department of Canadian Heritage's Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.

• Québec Winter Carnival ─ 57^th Québec Winter Carnival (January 28 to February 13, 2011): $79,900

Official Languages Support Programs (two components) 

1) The Development of Official-Language Communities program aims to foster the development of Canada's minority Anglophone and Francophone communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life. 

2) The Enhancement of Official Languages Program is designed to foster among Canadians a greater understanding and appreciation of the benefits of linguistic duality.

• Voice of English-Speaking Québec ─ 2010–2011 program: $152,000

• Literary and Historical Society of Québec ─ Arts Matters: $26,200