QUÉBEC CITY, November 2, 2007 - The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for the National Battlefields Commission.
The funding of $560,000 will allow the Commission to undertake activities in 2008 to highlight its 100th anniversary, as well as that of Battlefields Park.
"The year 2008 is important for all of Canada and North America, as it marks the 100th birthday of the Battlefields Commission and Park, as well as the 400th anniversary of Québec City," said Minister Verner. "Our Government is proud to contribute to these festivities. We invite all Canadians, from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, to join in this great celebration."
"From June 24 to Labour Day, the big tent will be the focal point for the 100th anniversary celebrations," said André Juneau, Chair of the National Battlefields Commission. "A lively exhibition using sound, light, and projections will immerse visitors deep in the rich past of our park."
Throughout 2008, the entire population is invited to take part in various activities marking the 100th anniversary of Battlefields Park. The National Film Board of Canada will screen a new film production on the Plains of Abraham. Many Government of Canada organizations will be on site, ready to meet the thousands of visitors. The celebrations will also be an opportunity to highlight the excellent work performed by the National Battlefields Commission to promote the rich heritage of Battlefields Park.
In February, the Government of Canada provided $4.73 million to the National Battlefields Commission to undertake the building of infrastructure in Battlefields Park in preparation for the 2008 celebrations.
Established on March 17, 1908, the National Battlefields Commission is mandated to preserve and develop Battlefields Park, which is Canada's oldest national historic park. The Commission is one of 18 organizations within the Department of Canadian Heritage portfolio.
Québec City's 400th anniversary is a historic event for Canada and for North America. It is from this date that we truly started to become what we are today, and it reminds us that French is the founding language of Canada. The Government of Canada is proud to contribute $110 million to the celebration and to partner in the organization of this event, because the founding of Québec also marks the founding of Canada.
For more information, visit the website of the National Battlefields Commission at
www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca and the Government of Canada's official site for the 400th anniversary of Québec City at www.quebec400.gc.ca/bienvenue-welcome-eng.html
Information:
Richard Walker
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 994-5978
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
