VANCOUVER, March 16, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Regional Minister for British Columbia, and Member of Parliament (Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon), today announced $316,167 in funding for Mint Records. The funds will enable this Vancouver record company to continue producing Canadian artists.
"Our government is proud to support Canadian high-quality musical products," said Minister Oda. "I encourage Mint Records to continue showcasing our Canadian songwriters, composers and performers."
"Canada's New Government is pleased to support a Canadian record company," said Minister Strahl. "By producing and distributing the works of talented Canadian artists, Mint Records is ensuring a wide audience for our culture within our country and abroad."
"Mint Records is excited about using the funds from the Music Entrepreneur Component to promote our artists throughout Canada and around the world. By having these funds available to Mint Records, we can provide opportunities for our emerging artists that otherwise would be impossible to execute," said Kevin Beesley, co-owner of Mint Records. "Canadians have a unique voice on the world stage and these funds will keep our ever-growing popularity strong."
Canada's New Government has provided this support under the Music Entrepreneur Component of the Canada Music Fund. The objective of this Department of Canadian Heritage program is to enable established Canadian music entrepreneurs to offer a diverse range of musical choices that will enrich the Canadian musical experience in the long term, to become increasingly competitive nationally and internationally, and to win a leading place in the digitized global economy.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
613 759-1059
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
