MARKHAM, Ontario, March 15, 2007 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced financial support totalling more than $9.3 million for the cultural sector in the Greater Toronto Area. "Today's announcement represents the widest range of artistic and cultural activity that abounds in Toronto and the GTA," said Minister Oda. "Canada's New Government recognizes the important role that the cultural community plays in making our communities vital and exciting.""Supporting creativity means a more innovative, competitive and prosperous Canada," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament (Whitby-Oshawa). "Canada's New Government is pleased to support more than 70 initiatives in the Greater Toronto Area that will contribute to our cultural diversity and vitality.""Markham is pleased the federal government is recognizing the importance of heritage in defining communities and engaging our citizens in the area of cultural histories. Consistent with Markham's motto-Leading While Remembering-the generous funding provided by the Cultural Spaces Canada Program will help revitalize a heritage building at the Markham Museum and provide first-class equipment for the Markham Theatre," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti."Markham Theatre for Performing Arts is extremely grateful for the generous support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, as this digital audio project upgrade will enable Markham Theatre to continue to deliver diverse entertainment while providing the community with a superior cultural experience," said Bonnie Armstrong, Acting Theatre Manager of the Markham Theatre for Performing Arts.The announcement, made at the Markham Theatre for Performing Arts, included funding for 74 organizations representing a range of cultural activities from book publishing to promoting cultural trade. Forty-seven Ontario book publishers will receive over $5.9 million to expand their promotional activities, reach new markets, and increase their financial viability; Ontario arts presenters will receive over $400,000 to improve access for all Ontarians to professional artistic performances; and five cultural facilities-three in the 905 area and two in downtown Toronto-will share over $1 million in funding to improve their facilities and increase their financial viability. Of the latter, $954,500 will go to the Town of Markham to upgrade the performance facilities at the Markham Theatre for Performing Arts and to improve the conditions of the Markham Museum storage building.Canada's New Government has provided funding to book publishers, magazine publishers, and arts organizations through the following programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Book Publishing Industry Development Program, the Canada Magazine Fund, Cultural Spaces Canada, Arts Presentation Canada, the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program, Trade Routes, the Human Rights Program, the Canada Music Fund, and Canadian Culture Online. Attached is a list of the Ontario recipients that will benefit from this funding. For more information on Canadian Heritage's programs, please visit our website at ww.canadianheritage.gc.ca.Information:Véronique BruneauPress Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women819 997-7788Jaime BurkeA/ Manager CommunicationsOntario RegionCanadian Heritage416 973-2050 Donald BoulangerA/Chief, Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819 994-9101
