Harper Government Invests in Saguenay’s Théâtre Banque Nationale
SAGUENAY, Quebec, January 20, 2013 - Residents and visitors to the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region will be able to attend a greater variety of professional performances, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. Funding for Saguenay’s Théâtre Banque Nationale was announced today by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Member of Parliament for Roberval–Lac-Saint-Jean, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
This investment will be used for upgrades to the former Dufour Auditorium, an 804-seat performance hall. The project, which is crucial to the theatre’s ongoing artistic activities, will enhance access to innovative, multidisciplinary shows.
“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 150th birthday in 2017, let us celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, strong, and free country we are today.”
“We are proud to invest in projects that contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of our country’s diverse,” said Minister Lebel. “From now on, Saguenay will be able to count on a top-quality performance hall, benefitting the artists who will perform there and the audiences who will be able to fully appreciate the talents of performers from the region and beyond.”
This project is led by Diffusion Saguenay. This organization, founded in 2010, is the leading performing arts promoter in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. It presents professional shows from all performing arts disciplines: music, song, comedy, theatre, and dance.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $500,000 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
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca