Dartmouth multicultural festival getting a boost through Rediscover Main Streets initiative

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Government of Canada supports efforts to revitalize main streets, downtowns and neighbourhoods

July 21, 2022 · Dartmouth, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Atlantic Canada’s main streets, downtowns and neighbourhoods are vibrant spaces where people gather to enjoy all that our urban and rural communities have to offer. After more than two years of the pandemic, people are yearning to safely connect and return to the region’s downtown areas. The Government of Canada, through the Rediscover Main Streets initiative, is supporting community-led projects that will bring energy back to these lively and important community hubs.

Targeted support a game changer for Downtown Dartmouth

Today, Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, announced a non-repayable investment of $66,615 through Rediscover Main Streets for the Nova Multifest Society. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

This support will help the non-profit host the annual multicultural festival, Nova Multifest, at Alderney Landing. Funding will be used for rentals including lights, tents, tables, chairs, and firework equipment, and hiring professionals such as bands and artists. The festival shows newcomers what Dartmouth’s main streets have to offer, boosts exposure and revenue for downtown businesses, and promotes cross-cultural awareness through celebration and community engagement.

The Rediscover Main Streets initiative helps non-profit organizations team up to create new activities, develop marketing initiatives and promote events, all of which encourage residents and visitors alike to rediscover what the region’s communities have to offer and drive more support for local businesses.

The Government of Canada is committed to helping small businesses and local communities recover and together work hard to build a strong and resilient economic recovery that works for every Canadian.

Quotes

“Our main streets, downtowns and neighbourhoods are at the heart of our vibrant rural and urban communities here in Atlantic Canada. This innovative initiative will help breathe new life into our communities big and small, and encourage residents and visitors to come out and enjoy everything Downtown Dartmouth has to offer.”

-       The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“We know that multiculturalism strengthens the fabric of Canada. And by supporting wonderful festivals like Nova Multifest in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, we’re adding to the vibrance of our local communities.”

-       Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour

Quick facts

  • 2022 marks the fifth annual Nova Multifest. Last year’s event was virtual, with over 90,000 people tuning in online to watch performances, cooking classes and more. This year, the society expects to welcome more than 200,000 people to the event, both in-person and through the available livestream. 

  • The festival takes place July 22-24 at Alderney Landing on Ochterloney Street in Downtown Dartmouth.

  • On March 18, 2022, ACOA launched Rediscover Main Streets a $10 million initiative to support locally driven measures aimed at encouraging Atlantic Canadians and visitors to rediscover main streets and neighbourhoods across the region. 

  • The Rediscover Main Streets initiative complements other federal, provincial and municipal measures to help businesses and communities build back better. 

  •  Since the beginning of the pandemic, ACOA has invested just under half a billion dollars to help businesses and organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting more than 20,000 jobs in communities across the region.

Associated links

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Vishal Bhardwaj
President
Nova Multifest Society
902-499-9998
Vishal@MultiFest.ca

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