Minister Bernard Valcourt Announces Funding for Edmundston's Salle Léo-Poulin

EDMUNDSTON, NB, Oct. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, today announced $750,000 in funding for the City of Edmundston to renovate the Salle Léo-Poulin. He made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). Minister Valcourt was accompanied by the Mayor of Edmunston, Cyrille Simard, and the New Brunswick Minister of Social Development, Madeleine Dubé.

"Our Government is proud to invest in upgrades to the Salle Léo-Poulin," said Minister Valcourt on behalf of Minister Glover and Minister Moore. "This announcement demonstrates our Government's commitment to supporting the cultural vitality of our communities and the economic growth of our regions. Updates to the equipment at the Salle Léo-Poulin will provide residents and visitors alike with rich cultural experiences and access to high-quality entertainment."

Upgrades to the Salle Léo-Poulin, the largest of its kind in the region, will mean major entertainment events can be presented there in conditions that meet industry standards. As a result of this investment, the City of Edmundston will be able to bring the theatre up to today's security standards; install better sound, projection and lighting systems; and add an air-quality system. The Salle Léo-Poulin's primary presenter, the Centre des arts la petite-église d'Edmundston, will be able to offer a variety of programming on a more regular basis.

"Our Government firmly believes investing in our cultural and community infrastructures is important to help rebuild New Brunswick's economy," said Minister Dubé on behalf of Paul Robichaud, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. Our Government's investment in the Salle Léo-Poulin's modernization project will not only contribute to the cultural vitality of the City of Edmundston and the Madawaska region, but will also contribute to the economic development of the community by attracting more renowned shows and artists."

"Thanks to this funding, the Salle Léo-Poulin will rediscover its place in our cultural life. This space is vitally important to presenting quality professional performances and major community shows," said Mayor of Edmunston Cyrille Simard. "We are very pleased with the collaboration of three levels of government on this renovation project."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $300,000 in 2013-14 to the City of Edmundston through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The fund 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 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency also contributed funding of $450,000 to this project through the Innovative Communities Fund.

The New Brunswick Government invested $500,000 through the Regional Development Corporation.

Investment from the City of Edmundston also amounts to $500,000.

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SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

For further information:

For more information (media only), please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788

Gilles Thériault
Director, Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506-851-3980

Media relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[e-mail]

Kelsie Corey
Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
613-941-7241

Bruce Macfarlane
Director, Communications
Economic Development
506-453-5949

Ted Parisé
Senior Communications Officer
New Brunswick ACOA Office
506-452-3917

Mychèle Poitras
Communications
City of Edmundston
506-737-6799

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