Harper Government Invests in Orillia Opera House

ORILLIA, Ontario, January 18, 2013 - Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament (Simcoe North), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for Orillia Opera House. This investment will increase tourism, create jobs, and benefit residents and visitors.

"Our Government recognizes the importance and impact of investing in our culture and heritage for our communities and our economy," said Mr. Stanton. "This investment will support the historic Orillia Opera House as it continues to play host to Canadian and international talent for many more years to come."

Orillia Opera House is located in a provincially designated historical building in downtown Orillia. The investment will support the design and construction of an elevator shaft, the renovation of the backstage spaces, and the purchase and installation of an elevator. The finished project will increase accessibility for performers, staff, and volunteers, and will also improve safety for stage technicians.

"Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians," said Minister Moore. "On the road to Canada’s 150^th birthday in 2017, let us celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, strong, and free country we are today."

"For nearly 120 years, the Orillia Opera House has enriched this community by providing a landmark venue for arts and cultural performances," said Krista Storey, Opera House General Manager. "This elevator project modernizes the Opera House, making it fully accessible for patrons, performers, and staff, and will provide efficiencies that could attract a wider array of future artistic performances for the benefit of theatregoers."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $400,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program 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.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Jillian Lum
Manager of Regional Communications
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416-973-2050
Jillian.lum@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca