Government of Canada Supports University of Victoria Online History Project |
| VICTORIA, August 29, 2005 -- Member of Parliament (Victoria) David Anderson, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $457,023 in funding for the University of Victoria's "Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History" project. The funds will enable the University's Department of History to expand its online collection of Web sites focussing on significant episodes in Canadian legal history. "The Government of Canada prides itself on its support for a strong Canadian cultural presence in cyberspace," said Mr. Anderson. "I am pleased to announce the Government's involvement in this project, which has received numerous awards and accolades from teachers and students alike." "We must put high-quality, innovative material online that encourages Canadians of all ages to explore our culture and history," said Minister Frulla. "We are proud to partner with the University of Victoria and build on the resounding success of this project." Since its launch in 1997, the "Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History" project has aimed to provide high-quality materials to high schools and universities featuring information on teaching methods and Canadian history. The project organizers have produced a series of instructional Web sites to encourage students to increase their knowledge of history and promote archival research in the hopes of shedding light on still-unsolved historical crimes. Funding announced today will enable the University to create three new Web sites: "Angelique and the Burning of Montréal," "If a Stone Fell from Heaven: The Murders of the Black Donnellys," and "The Assassination of Peter Lordly' Verigin." The project will involve the digitization of more than 750 documents, 100 photographs, and 10 maps. Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Partnerships Fund component of its Canadian Culture Online initiative. The Fund makes Canadian cultural collections held by provincial, municipal, and local cultural organizations available on the Internet in both official languages. Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget. Information: Jean-François Del Torchio Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women (819) 997-7788 Lynne Henderson Executive Assistant Office of David Anderson, M.P. (250) 363-8420 Jean-Guy Beaupré Chief, Media Relations Canadian Heritage (819) 997-9314 |
