Canadian Heritage

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Aug. 28, 2008) - Five cultural organizations in Atlantic Canada will hold activities to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and celebrate our country's linguistic duality, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada.

The Honourable James Moore, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific Gateway) (2010 Olympics) (Official Languages), today announced funding for these five organizations.

A total investment of $126,000 will be shared by the Conseil provincial des societes culturelles in New Brunswick, the Federation acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse in Nova Scotia, the Association regionale de la Cote Ouest in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Friends of the Farmers Bank of Rustico, and the Regional Cultural Events Centre in Prince Edward Island.

This funding is in addition to earlier investments to support initiatives that will provide an opportunity for Canadians to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Quebec City and promote the French language and culture all across the country. These initiatives include the cross-Canada tour of Francoforce (now in Dieppe), the Tintamarre Acadie-Quebec, and the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Deportation of Acadians from Prince Edward Island.

"Our Government is proud to contribute to the success of events in the Atlantic provinces that mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City," said Secretary of State Moore. "This important anniversary that we are celebrating in 2008 is a reminder that the French language is the founding language of Canada. From Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, Canadians are joining in this great celebration through activities such as the ones being announced today."

"Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, amateur choirs will have the opportunity to work under the direction of Danny Boudreau, a professional artist who is well known both in Acadia and in Quebec," said Marie-Therese Landry, Executive Director of the Conseil provincial des societes culturelles. "This funding will allow the Conseil provincial to mark the 400th anniversary of Quebec City by inviting a choir from Quebec to share the stage with Acadian choirs."

The federal government is committed to ensuring that Francophone and Anglophone minority communities thrive and also to recognizing the importance of linguistic duality as an economic, social, and cultural asset for all Canadians. The Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013 identifies youth and culture as priority areas for action.

The Government of Canada has provided this support through the Community Life Component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage aims to foster development of French and English minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

For details on the projects benefiting from this funding, please see the attached backgrounder.

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

BACKGROUNDER

The Government of Canada has provided financial support to the following organizations under the Department of Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Program. To learn more about this program, please visit www.canadianheritage.gc.ca

The Conseil provincial des societes culturelles receives $33,000 to present a choir rally called "Acadie-Quebec: 400 ans et quelques chants!" which will take place next fall in New Brunswick. Acadian choirs will share the stage with a choir from Quebec in an event under the direction of well-known Acadian artist Danny Boudreau.

The Federation acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ecosse receives $50,000 to showcase a musical tour of schools in 10 Acadian and French communities across Nova Scotia. "L'Acadie de la Nouvelle-Ecosse fete les 400 ans de Quebec" will feature concerts celebrating the common history between Acadia and Quebec City that be hosted by Samuel de Champlain, a historical figure representing a common link between them.

The Association regionale de la Cote Ouest of Newfoundland and Labrador receives $10,000 to present a celebration of cultural ties between Francophone communities in the Magdalen Islands and the Port-au-Port Peninsula called "Ile a Ile." Audiences of all ages will be able to enjoy musicians, artists, dancers, and craftspeople from Quebec, as well as take part in various workshops.

The Friends of the Farmers Bank of Rustico receives $30,000 to present a series of activities including lectures, exhibits, presentations, demonstrations, and historical re-enactments recognizing the important role played by the province of Quebec in the survival of the French language in Prince Edward Island.

The Regional Cultural Events Centre receives $3,000 to present, in French and English, a play by Quebec City's Theatre du Gros Mecano at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside in November. Created for a young audience, La Librairie/The Bookshop illustrates the vitality of Canada's linguistic duality demonstrated by the love of reading, literature, and theatre.

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