Harper Government Invests in the Festival des Glaces de Saint-Gédéon

SAINT-GÉDÉON, QC, Feb. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Once again this year, residents of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region will be able to admire magnificent ice sculptures and take part in family activities, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Member of Parliament (Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The Festival des glaces de Saint-Gédéon will take place from February 17 to 26, 2012. Activities include an exhibition of ice sculptures by amateur artists and students from local elementary schools, musical performances, and a historical representation of local folklore.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in culture and in organizations that promote our identity," said Minister Moore. "By supporting the Festival des glaces de Saint-Gédéon, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"Our Government is committed to supporting organizations that highlight local arts and heritage and that mobilize our communities and bring them together, which is precisely what the Festival des glaces de Saint-Gédéon does," said Minister Lebel.

"Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada, the members of the organizing committee of the Festival des glaces can now pursue their goal of further developing the cultural sector and promoting the art of ice carving," said the Comité organisateur du Festival des glaces de Saint-Gédéon. "This grant will also allow the Festival des glaces de Saint-Gédéon to have more artists in order to offer excellent entertainment throughout 10 ten days of festivities

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $27,200 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and 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

Éric Amyot
Director, Regional Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514-283-4027

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]

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