COQUITLAM, British Columbia, September 11, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Member of Parliament (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam), today announced funding for the City of Coquitlam.
This funding will support the acquisition of a professional-quality, portable multi-purpose floor for arts and heritage presentations and events to be used at a number of venues in the Tri-City area of the Lower Mainland. The specialized flooring will improve the physical space and conditions for the creation and presentation of artistic performances by a network of Tri-City regional presenting organizations that make use of multiple locations for their events throughout the year. The flooring will also improve presenting conditions for performing artists and audience accessibility by accommodating public safety and comfort needs. All the organizations will benefit from municipal management and maintenance when it comes to installing and dismantling the floor.
"Our Government believes it is important to stimulate the economy by investing in a number of key sectors, including arts and culture," said Minister Moore. "This funding for the Tri-City area will create welcoming spaces that provide an ideal place for our artists to perform and for residents to continue to enjoy local festivals and community events."
"This financial support will improve the quality of outdoor events in Coquitlam for years to come," said Lori MacKay, Coquitlam's General Manager of Leisure and Parks Services. "Beginning with the expanded Festival du Bois in 2010 and continuing throughout the year at our many other large-scale festivals--such as the BC Highland Games, Korean Heritage Festival, Festival Coquitlam's Blue Mountain Music Festival, and the Teddy Bear Picnic--Coquitlam will set a new standard in quality outdoor community events that celebrate our rich heritage and cultural diversity."
The City of Coquitlam was incorporated in 1891 and is governed by a mayor and council and by city departments. A collaborative relationship exists between the City of Coquitlam and the arts and heritage community of various not-for-profit organizations in its jurisdiction. Coquitlam supports many community-based arts, culture, and heritage organizations that deliver a variety of arts programs and networking opportunities.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $39,542 under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts and to museum collections and heritage displays.
The Government of Canada is investing $540 million in the arts and culture sector to stimulate the economy as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. It also recently renewed funding for federal arts programs totalling $1.5 billion over the next five years.
For more information, contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Derick McNeil
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel: 604-666-2454
Cell: 604-351-2693
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
