News Release

For immediate release 
June 13, 2003

Government of Canada Supports Celtic Colours International Festival

SYDNEY, N.S. -- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State responsible for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced today, Government of Canada funding for the Celtic Colours International Festival.

The Celtic Colours International Festival is an annual event celebrating Celtic heritage and music in Cape Breton. The Festival is positioned to coincide with the brilliant fall foliage for which Cape Breton is famous. It includes concerts, workshops, Gaelic language events, square dances and ceilidhs. 

“Celtic Colours strengthens the tourism shoulder season and heightens national and international awareness of the arts and culture sectors present on 
Cape Breton Island,” says Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d’Or-Cape Breton. “From an economic stand-point, the Festival injects millions of dollars into the Cape Breton economy each year.” 

“The Celtic Colours International Festival is a pillar of the Atlantic Canada tourism calendar and attracts visitors from around the world,” says 
Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria. “The reputation of the Festival continues to grow and, with that, comes the tremendous economic spin-offs that are benefiting the entire Island.” 

The total estimated cost of the project is $2.4 million over three years. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will provide a non-repayable contribution over this period totalling $450,000 through ACOA’s Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF).

“The Festival showcases some of the finest Celtic musicians, singers, dancers and story-tellers from around the Island and around the world,” says 
Bruce MacNeil, Chair of the Festival Society. “In addition to showcasing our world-class talent, Celtic Colours also expands the expertise and reputation of event management on Cape Breton Island.”

Established in 1997, the Celtic Colours Festival Society is a non-profit, volunteer society formed to promote and maintain the Celtic culture of 
Cape Breton Island as well as the Gaelic language, music and art. Celtic Colours engages performers and tourists from around the world.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan 
Office of the Honourable Gerry Byrne 
Minister of State 
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of Rodger Cuzner, MP
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763 

John Coady
Office of Mark Eyking, MP
Tel: (902) 567-6275

D. A. Landry 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-3617

Bruce MacNeil
Chair, Celtic Colours Festival Society
Tel: (902) 625-4065