Government of Canada unveils plans and invites Canadians to get involved
April 23, 2015 – Burnaby, British Columbia – Department of Canadian Heritage
The Government of Canada has announced details of its preparations for celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017—a pivotal milestone in our nationhood in what is set to be an exceptional year for Canadians and our country.
Momentum continued to build on the Road to 2017 as the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today launched the Government of Canada’s plans and vision for Canada 150 and invited Canadians to join in the exciting journey.
Through Canada 150, the Government of Canada will provide a framework and investments designed to get Canadians involved—not simply by taking part in national, regional or local events and initiatives, but by actively contributing ideas and energy. Through a new program launching today, the Canada 150 Fund, the Government will make strategic investments in activities that support the Canada 150 vision and engage Canadians directly. This includes Community-driven events as well as Signature Initiatives that are national in scope. Canadians are also invited to give back to our country through gifts of time, generosity and civic action, within and across our communities.
Minister Glover also unveiled the Canada 150 Logo, a new national and recognizable icon intended to evoke feelings of pride, unity and celebration. Underlining the Government’s commitment to Canadians’ active engagement in celebrating Canada 150, the winning logo was created by Ariana Cuvin, age 19, from the University of Waterloo in Ontario following a nationwide design competition. The logo, which depicts a series of diamonds arranged in the shape of a maple leaf, will become a unifying symbol of the Canada 150 movement, a lasting reminder of our proudest moments along the journey.
In addition to providing strategic investments through the new Canada 150 Fund, the Government will work to connect community leaders, ideas and resources across the federal government and the private, not-for-profit and public sectors to maximize the impact and reach of Canada 150 initiatives.
About Canada 150 programming:
- The overarching theme of Canada 150 is “Strong. Proud. Free.” The Canada 150 vision is to Give Back to Canada, including through lasting legacies that extend beyond 2017; Honour the Exceptional; and Celebrate and Bring Canadians Together. The vision will be achieved by making strategic investments in activities that align with these aspirations.
- As announced in Budget 2015, a total of $210 million over four years, starting in 2015–16, will support activities, events and celebrations across Canada.
- Canada 150 programming will aim to make the most of government investments and generate economic spin-offs for communities of all sizes across the country.
- Canada 150 programming will reflect Canada’s proud identity, its rich history and heritage, and its linguistic, ethnic, cultural and regional diversity.
About the logo:
- The Canada 150 Logo Design Contest ran from December 5, 2014, to January 23, 2015. The contest was open to Canadian students 18 and over enrolled in a post-secondary program in Canada.
- Students were asked to submit a design that evoked pride, unity and celebration and reflected Canada as a diverse nation with a rich past and a promising future.
- The logo will be featured in all Government of Canada activities and material related to Canada 150.
“From coast to coast to coast, Canadians of all ages and backgrounds will have a unique opportunity to celebrate our great nation and give something back to Canada. Our Government is dedicated to ensuring that all Canadians and their communities are an integral part of the celebrations by organizing and participating in local, regional and national activities in a country that is Strong, Proud and Free.
“I would like to congratulate Ariana Cuvin, who created the winning design for the Canada 150 Logo Contest. Canadian students heard our call to be part of history in the making, and their response was awe-inspiring. We are grateful to all those who submitted designs for consideration.”
—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Marisa Monnin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
