Gatineau, Quebec, July 12, 2005 - On behalf of the
Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and
Minister responsible for the Francophonie, Mr. David Smith, Member of
Parliament for Pontiac, today announced the awarding of a $30,000
non-repayable contribution to the Maison de la culture de la
Vallée de la Gatineau for the production and promotion of the second edition
of Festival Images et lieux.
Canada Economic Development is proud to be associated with this cultural
event, the fruit of local and regional partnership, and, in so doing, to help
foster the economic diversification and cultural development of the regions of
Quebec. This year's festival, taking place under the theme Place au cinéma
rural!, will showcase the wide-ranging talent of artisans from here and
elsewhere.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support the development of the arts
and culture in Quebec's regions. Encouraging the organization of large-scale
cultural events in the Outaouais region, and in the Gatineau Valley in
particular, is an essential part of that," stated Mr. Smith.
"Canada Economic Development's aim is to support regional communities with a
view to helping them diversify their economies. The Festival Images et
lieux is a vibrant example of the means that can be put in place to further
that objective," added Minister Saada.
The funding from Canada Economic Development is awarded under its Regional
Strategic Initiatives (RSI) Program component aimed at strengthening and
diversifying the tourism offering in the Outaouais region.
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.
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Sources:
François BélisleCommunicationsCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: (819) 825-5260 ext. 235E-Mail:
francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques
SaadaCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.: (514)
496-1282
