MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 16, 2012) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announce that the Government of Canada is renewing its financial support for Montréal en lumière again this year.

"The Government of Canada is proud to lend its support to the organizers of Montréal en lumière," stated Minister Lebel, "a unique festival whose fame has spread far beyond Montreal."

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in major cultural events, such as Montréal en lumière," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these activities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to increase economic vitality and support arts, culture, and heritage."

For information:

The total financial assistance of $1,110,000 announced today takes the form of two non-repayable contributions.

Of this sum, $990,000 is provided by Canada Economic Development under its Community Diversification program. This financial assistance will be used both to promote Montréal en lumière on foreign markets in 2012 and 2013 and to make the Quartier des spectacles the hub of the festival's outdoor activities. This new environment will lead to renewal of the festival itself and will help contribute to raising festival-goers' interest.

Also of this sum, $120,000 has been provided by Canadian Heritage to support the staging in 2012 of artistic activities as part of the Arts and Shows component of the festival, including indoor shows, outdoor performances, public activities and Nuit Blanche à Montréal. This funding comes from the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, which 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.

To learn more about Montréal en lumière: www.montrealenlumiere.com

Keep up with the latest news from Canada Economic Development by visiting www.dec-ced.gc.ca or subscribing to @CanEconDev on Twitter.

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