CHARLOTTETOWN, March 30, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister responsible for Prince Edward Island, today announced funding of $25,000 for the 13th season of the Festival of Lights to be held in Charlottetown from June 29 to July 1, 2007."Canada's New Government is pleased to invest in the Festival of Lights," said Minister Oda. "Our Government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians have access to diverse cultural experiences that showcase the talent of professional and emerging artists.""Support for the arts enhances the vitality of our communities, both culturally and economically," said Minister MacKay. "I want to congratulate the dedicated staff and enthusiastic volunteers of Tourism Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island Convention Partnership Inc. (formerly the Capital Commission of Prince Edward Island), who continue to ensure the success of this wonderful celebration year after year.""The support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Arts Presentation Canada program has allowed the Festival of Lights to expand its programming to reach a wider audience with exciting new and emerging artists from a variety of genres," stated Mr. Kevin Murphy, President of Tourism Charlottetown and the Prince Edward Island Convention Partnership. The Festival of Lights has become the premier July 1st celebration in Atlantic Canada. The funds will enable Partnership Inc. to offer culturally diverse programming for the Festival's 2007 season, showcasing music, dance, theatre, visual arts and comedy performances. Last year, the Festival attracted more than 81,000 visitors from near and far.Canada's New Government has provided this financial assistance through the Arts Presentation Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.Information: Véronique BruneauPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women819 997-7788Dan DugasDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs613 995-1851 Claudine DaigleDirector of Communications Atlantic Region Canadian Heritage506 851-3980
