Montreal, June 16, 2005 - The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced the awarding of a $100,000 non-repayable contribution to support the international promotion and marketing of the 13th edition of Divers/Cité. "We are proud to support this flagship event of Montreal's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and transvestite communities, an event that continues to rank year after year as one of North America's greatest displays of openness, love of life and solidarity," stated Minister Saada. "In addition to the contribution it makes to Montreal's artistic and cultural life, Divers/Cité helps make our city, the City of Festivals, a premium tourist destination." This contribution is awarded through Canada Economic Development's strategic plan for Greater Montreal, whose aim is to support the promotion of the city's tourism on international markets. As a world-class city, Montreal is a popular tourist destination known for its vibrant cultural life and large-scale summer events. Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are having difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada's objective of building the 21st Century economy. -30- Sources: Guylaine Beaudoin Communications Canada Economic Development Tel.: 514 283-0368 Cell.: 418 580-8215 Daniel Dezainde Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Jacques Saada Canada Economic Development Tel.: 514 496-1282
