CARAQUET, New Brunswick - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Member of Parliament (Fredericton), today announced $918,645 in funding for Les Amis du Village Historique Acadien. The announcement was made on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla and of Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Joseph McGuire. The funds will enable the organization to renovate its existing facilities and to mount a production of Les Défricheurs d'eau on an annual basis. "This funding demonstrates our Government's commitment to provide the Acadian and Francophone communities the tools they need to ensure their economic, social, and cultural development. This popular production offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the Acadian people, as well as about their contribution to building New Brunswick and Canada," said Minister Scott. "We are grateful for the Government of Canada's support," stated Antoine Landry, President of the Association des Amis du Village Historique Acadien. "This contribution will benefit people throughout the Acadian Peninsula, who will now have access to a high-quality facility to host large- scale productions of Les Défricheurs d'eau." The musical, Les Défricheurs d'eau, will run from July 20 to August 20, 2005 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. In the summer of 2004, more than 12,000 people attended 20 performances of the production at an outdoor stage located next to the Village Historique Acadien. The funding announced today will enable Les Amis du Village Historique Acadien to acquire removable stands, sound and lighting equipment, as well as an unused building into which the control room, box office, main entrance, and dressing rooms will be moved. Of the amount announced today, $438,770 is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Cultural Spaces Canada Program. This program supports cultural infrastructure projects that increase access to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, and also improves physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. ACOA is providing $479,875 through it Business Development Program. For more information on ACOA programs, please visit: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget. (This news release is available on the Internet at http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.) -30- Jean Philippe Côté Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women (819) 997-7788 Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941 7241 Dan Brien Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non- Status Indians (613) 992 1067 Claudine Daigle Director, Communications Canadian Heritage (506) 851 3980 Nadya Ladouceur Communications Officer ACOA NB (506) 451-2677 Myriam Léger Public relations officer Village Historique Acadien (506) 720-2600
