Harper Government Invests in the Economy of the Northwest Territories
YELLOWKNIFE, July 31, 2012 - Investments in arts, culture, and official languages are helping boost the economy and create jobs and growth in the Northwest Territories. Support for 26 projects was announced today by the Honourable Tony Clement, President of Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
The funding supports a wide range of organizations and projects across the territory, including local festivals and organizations that share the common goal of providing residents of the Northwest Territories with rich cultural experiences. Groups receiving support include the Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife, Up Here Publishing Ltd., the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, and first-time recipient Frozen Eyes Photographic Society.
“This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous, and free country we are today.”
“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in our economic future,” said Minister Clement. “By supporting these important projects, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy, boost tourism, and support our arts, culture, heritage, and official languages.”
“The support given to the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre has allowed us to make necessary improvements to our aging infrastructure,” said Maureen Crotty-Williams, Board Vice-President, Northern Arts and Cultural Centre. “Now our Northern audiences can look forward to a newly revitalized Arts Centre, better equipped to deliver performances that entertain, challenge, and inspire.”
The Harper Government has provided total funding of $2,455,467 through eight programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the Canada Periodical Fund, the Development of Official-Language Communities Program, the Enhancement of Official Languages Program, and the Youth Take Charge program. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Francine D. Lefebvre
Director of Regional Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204-983-4367
francine.lefebvre@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
| Aboriginal Languages Initiative The objective of this initiative is to support community-based language projects that contribute to the revitalization and preservation of Aboriginal languages and increase their use in community settings. | |||
| Yellowknife | Sharing Our Stories Committee* | Sharing Our Stories | $25,816 (2012–2013) |
| TOTAL: $25,816 | |||
| Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. | |||
| Yellowknife | Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife | Festival Miroir sur la francophonie Nordique | $4,200 (2012–2013) |
| Hay River | Hay RiverMusic, Arts and Culture Society** | Hay Days | $13,400 (2012–2013) |
| Fort McPherson | Midway Lake Music Festival | Midway Lake Music Festival | $12,400 (2012–2013) |
| Yellowknife | OldTownRamble and Ride | OldTownRamble and Ride Festival | $7,200 (2012–2013) |
| TOTAL: $37,200 | |||
| Canada Arts Presentation Fund The 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. | |||
| Inuvik | The Great Northern Arts Festival Society | 2012 Great Northern Arts Festival | $35,000 (2012–2013) |
| TOTAL: $35,000 | |||
| Canada Cultural Spaces Fund The Fund seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays. | |||
| Yellowknife | Northern Arts and Cultural Centre | NACC Renovation and Addition | $1,200,000 (2012–2013) |
| TOTAL: $1,200,000 | |||
| Canada Periodical Fund The Fund provides financial assistance to Canadian print magazines, non-daily newspapers, and digital periodicals to enable them to overcome market disadvantages and continue to provide Canadian readers with the content they choose to read. | |||
| Hay River | Northern News Services Ltd. | The Hub | $16,603 (2012–2013) |
| Yellowknife | Up Here Publishing Ltd. | UP HERE | $70,868 (2012–2013) |
| TOTAL: $87,471 | |||
| Development of Official-Language Communities Program This 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. | |||||
| Inuvik | Association des francophones du delta du Mackenzie | 2012–2013 programming | $34,550 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Association des parents ayants droit de Yellowknife | Parent/educator strategic forum | $9,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Hay River | Association franco-culturelle de Hay River | 2012–2013 programming | $30,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Hay River | Association franco-culturelle de Hay River | 25 ans, toujours en santé et en français! / 25 Years, Still Healthy and in French | $5,500 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife | 2012–2013 programming | $73,500 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife | Visages au féminin | $34,825 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Éditions franco-ténoises / L’Aquilon | 2012–2013 programming | $22,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Éditions franco-ténoises / L’Aquilon | Freelancer’s guide | $8,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Fédération franco-ténoise | Support for action 2012–2013 | $190,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Fédération franco-ténoise | La virée GAïa TAïGa | $75,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Garderie Plein-Soleil | 2012–2013 programming | $52,240 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Société Radio Taïga | 2012–2013 programming | $25,000 (2012–2013) | ||
| Yellowknife | Société Radio Taïga | Training tool | $10,625 (2012–2013) | ||
| TOTAL: $570,240 | |||||
| Enhancement of Official Languages Program This program is designed to foster among Canadians a greater understanding and appreciation of the benefits of linguistic duality. | |||
| Yellowknife | Canadian Parents for French – Northwest Territories Branch | Program of activities 2012–2013 | $53,040 (2012–2013) |
| Yellowknife | Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife | Theatre play: & L’esperluette / Ampersand & | $26,700 (2012–2013) |
| TOTAL: $79,740 | |||
| Youth Take Charge This program provides opportunities for young Canadians to become involved in a range of activities designed to strengthen their attachment to Canada through active engagement in their communities. | |||
| Yellowknife | Frozen Eyes Photographic Society* | Youth Mentoring in the North | $270,000 (2011–2013) |
| Yellowknife | La Fédération franco-ténoise | Projet L.A.M.A. (leadership, animation, mobilisation et action) | $150,000 (2011–2013) |
| TOTAL: $420,000 | |||
| GRAND TOTAL, ALL PROGRAMS: $2,455,467 |
*First-time funding recipient through the Department of Canadian Heritage
**First-time funding recipient under the program