Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec, May 28, 2013 – The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the 30th annual International Hot Air Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which is taking place from August 10 to 18. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, took the opportunity to reaffirm his support for the festival.
“The Government of Canada knows that arts and culture are important drivers of economic growth, that they create jobs, and that they promote the emergence of new talents. In this way, we are sharing our history and our heritage—two of our greatest treasures,”
said Minister Moore. “This is why we are proud to support the International Hot Air Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which has brought together people of all ages and backgrounds and helped enrich the community’s quality of life for the past 30 years.”
“The International Hot Air Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is an important engine of economic growth for the Montérégie region,”
said Minister Lebel. “It not only raises Canada’s profile abroad, but also helps drive the region’s tourism industry and, in turn, create jobs.”
For its 30th anniversary, the International Hot Air Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will welcome more than 100 hot air balloons from around the world and offer an array of shows and activities for every taste.
“We are pleased with the renewed federal funding that will help showcase local talent for the festival audience,”
said Germain Poissant, President of the International Balloon Festival Corporation of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
The $78,400 in funding from Canadian Heritage will help increase community involvement in the event. This investment comes from the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program, which gives Canadians more chances to take part in activities that present local arts and culture or celebrate a region’s history and heritage.
The funding from Canada Economic Development, in the form of a non-repayable contribution, amounts to $590,000 for 2012 and 2013. It was provided through the Quebec Economic Development Program. The organization will use this funding to create press materials for foreign media, take part in tourism fairs and conferences, conduct promotion and advertising activities, and hold a new festival activity, Les Nuits magiques.
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