Harper Government Invests in Culture in Yukon

WHITEHORSE, Aug. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Arts, culture and official-language organizations in the Yukon are receiving a major boost today, thanks to investments from the Government of Canada. Support for 14 projects was announced today by Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament (Yukon), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. Mr. Leef made the announcement at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in the presence of representatives of Whitehorse's arts and culture community.

Funding will support a wide range of arts, culture and official-language organizations across the Yukon that will generate jobs and strengthen the local economy. Organizations receiving support include the Yukon Riverside Arts Festival, Whitehorse Concerts, the Frostbite Music Festival, and the Association franco-yukonnaise.

"This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada's 150^th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country we are today."

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in Yukon's economic future," said Mr. Leef. "By supporting these important projects, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy, create jobs and support our arts, culture and heritage."

"Thanks to the Government of Canada, we are able to continue the work that Whitehorse Concerts has been doing for the past 29 years—bringing the best in classical music to the Yukon," said Danette Readman, Manager of Whitehorse Concerts. "We are not only excited for another year of quality programming, but also to present classical music to school children throughout the territory and to provide meaningful outreach opportunities, including lessons and workshops, to local musicians of all ages."

The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $510,500 under four programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Development of Official-Language Communities Program and the Enhancement of Official Languages Program. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.

BACKGROUNDER

Today's announcement includes the following projects:

Building Communities through Arts and Heritage The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Dawson City	Dawson City Arts Society	Dawson City International Short Film Festival	$2,600 (2012-13)
Dawson City	Dawson City Arts Society	Yukon Riverside Arts Festival	$2,800 (2012-13)
Whitehorse	Nakai Theatre Ensemble	Homegrown Theatre Festival	$2,600 (2012-13)
Dawson City	Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in	Moosehide Gathering	$11,500 (2012-13)
			TOTAL: $19,500

Canada Arts Presentation Fund The Canada Arts Presentation Fund gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Whitehorse	Adäka Cultural Society *	Adäka Cultural Festival	$25,000 (2012-13)
Whitehorse	Frostbite Music Society	Frostbite Music Festival	$24,000 (2012-13)
Whitehorse	Nakai Theatre Ensemble	Pivot Theatre Festival	$18,000 (2012-13)
Whitehorse	Jazz Yukon	Jazz on the Wing	$18,000 (2012-13) $18,000 (2013-14)
Whitehorse	Skookum Jim Friendship Centre	2013 Skookum Jim Folklore Show	$6,000 (2012-13)
Whitehorse	Whitehorse Concerts	Classically Yours - Concert Series	$22,000 (2012-13 $22,000 (2013-14)
Whitehorse	Réseau des grands espaces inc. *	Two-year programming for the Réseau des grands espaces (2012-14)	$100,000 (2012-13) $80,000 (2013-14)
			TOTAL : $333,000

Development of Official-Language Communities Program: Cooperation with the Community Sector The Development of Official-Language Communities Program is designed to foster the vitality of Canada's French- and English-speaking minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Whitehorse	Association franco-yukonnaise	Le Gala Chant'Ouest 2012	$43,000 (2012-13)
			TOTAL : $43,000

Enhancement of Official Languages Program: Promotion of Linguistic Duality The Enhancement of Official Languages Program is designed to foster among Canadians a greater understanding and appreciation of the benefits of linguistic duality. Through partnerships and agreements with provinces, territories, and non-governmental organizations in support of second-language learning, and initiatives fostering mutual understanding between English- and French-speaking Canadians, this program brings Canadians to recognize and support linguistic duality as a fundamental value of Canadian society.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Whitehorse	Association franco-yukonnaise	Cooperation, rapprochement and increases in bilingual services	$40,000 (2012-13) $70,000 (2013-14)
Whitehorse	Association franco-yukonnaise	62nd International Canada-France Conference	$5,000 (2012-13)
			TOTAL : $115,000

* = first-time funding recipient under the Program

GRAND TOTAL: $510,500

 

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

For further information:

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Perry Boldt
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
866-569-6155
[e-mail]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)