Harper Government Supports the Imperial Theatre in Saint John

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick, May 16, 2013 - Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament (Saint John), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Imperial Theatre is benefitting from a boost to its fundraising efforts through the Imperial Theatre Foundation.

“Supporting not-for-profit arts organizations such as the Imperial Theatre is central to the economic health of communities across Canada,” said Mr. Weston. “By providing a boost to its endowment fund, we are proud to contribute to the success of the Imperial Theatre, one of Saint John’s most beautiful cultural venues.”

The Imperial Theatre, a national historic site restored and re-opened in 1994, is the main performance venue in Saint John. It hosts a wide variety of performances—including theatre, dance, comedy, literature, and music—throughout the year.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important arts organizations like the Imperial Theatre,” said Minister Moore. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that we are serious about supporting organizations that not only enrich their community’s cultural life, but also strengthen its economy.”

“The Imperial Theatre Foundation is very pleased to receive this funding, which, along with the matching funds committed by the Foundation, will be invested in perpetuity,” said S.G. Lee, the Theatre’s Executive Director. “The Foundation would like to express its gratitude to the Government of Canada for the confidence it has shown in the Imperial Foundation as stewards of this investment in the future of Imperial Theatre.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $121,509 for the Imperial Theatre Foundation to manage and invest on behalf of the Imperial Theatre. Funding is provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.

To date, the program has contributed to the long-term sustainability of 171 arts organizations across Canada through matching grants to endowment funds.

 

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