Harper Government Announces Funding for the Royal Botanical Gardens

BURLINGTON, April 12, 2013 - Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament (Burlington), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Royal Botanical Gardens for an innovative marketing project.

“Our investment in this first nationwide marketing partnership of Canada’s botanical gardens, led by the Royal Botanical Gardens, will contribute to the success of many gardens across the country while providing Canadians with rich experiences,” said Mr. Wallace.

The Royal Botanical Gardens, open to the public since 1932, is the largest botanical garden in Canada and a national historic site. It features dozens of documented collections displayed in five major garden exhibition areas. With this funding, the Royal Botanical Gardens, in partnership with 18 other botanical gardens across Canada, plans to improve attendance, interest and support for Canadian botanical gardens by developing and sharing various marketing strategies and tools.

“Our Government recognizes that arts and heritage organizations contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of our communities and enrich the quality of life of all Canadians,” said Minister Moore. “We are proud to support the Royal Botanical Gardens, a world-renowned botanical garden that welcomes more than 190,000 visitors per year.”

“Around the world, botanical gardens and arboreta are re-inventing themselves as society evolves and changes,” said Mark Runciman, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Botanical Gardens. “This project, which is the largest single investment ever made in the botanical gardens network across Canada, is part of this transformation. It will help these educational and scientific institutions to better reach the public and also to improve their financial sustainability.”

The Government of Canada is providing total funding of $595,000 over three years through the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. The Strategic Initiatives component provides funding for projects supported by multiple partners and benefitting many organizations. These initiatives help arts and heritage organizations diversify their revenue streams and strengthen the efficiency of their management and business practices.

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