EDMONTON, March 18, 2005 -- Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre) Anne McLellan, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $1,680,453 in funding for 13 Alberta publishing firms. The funds will help the publishers expand their promotional activities, continue their search for new business opportunities, and ensure their financial viability. "I want to congratulate these publishers for contributing in so many ways to the dynamism of Alberta's publishing industry," said Minister McLellan. "I encourage them in their continuing efforts to offer a wide selection of books by Canadian writers to readers here and abroad." "This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of federal support for Canada's publishing industry," said Minister Frulla. "We can all be proud of this Government's commitment to those who help bring our literature to life." The publishers to benefit from today's funding announcement are: Altitude Publishing $160,285 Bayeux Arts $16,156 Broadview Press $204,086 Detselig Enterprises $38,168 Fifth House $103,773 Éditions Duval $245,791 Literacy Services of Canada $17,581 Lone Pine Media Productions $417,759 NeWest Publishers $33,812 Red Deer Press $86,449 University of Alberta Press $96,161 University of Calgary Press $46,871 Weigl Educational Publishers $213,561 Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through two components of its Book Publishing Industry Development Program: Aid to Publishers and the Supply Chain Initiative. The Program seeks to enhance the capacity of the Canadian-owned and -controlled sector of the industry to publish and promote Canadian-authored books on national and international markets. Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget. Information: Jean-Philippe Côté Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women (819) 997-7788 Alex Swann Director of Communications Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (613) 991-2924 Myriam Brochu Chief, Media Relations Canadian Heritage (819) 997-9314
