News Release

For immediate release
October 21, 2003

Government of Canada Assists Local Acadian Media Prepare For The Acadian World Congress

Chéticamp and Isle Madame, N.S. – The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced today Government of Canada funding to assist a French language radio station and a television company expand in preparation for the Acadian World Congress (Congrès Mondial Acadien) to be held in Nova Scotia in 2004.

CHNE Television Communautaire, located in Chéticamp, has received assistance to acquire new equipment to record and produce videos that will preserve and promote local Acadian heritage and culture, while la Cooperative Radio Richmond Limitée, located in Isle Madame, has received assistance to upgrade its radio equipment in order to offer year-round programming.

The Acadian World Congress is an international celebration of Acadians from around the world. Previously held in New Brunswick in 1994 and Louisiana in 1999, the Acadian World Congress will be celebrated throughout Nova Scotia in August of 2004. It is the biggest cultural event ever held in this province.

“The upgrades to La Cooperative Radio in Isle Madame and the CHNE Television in Chéticamp are instrumental in preparing for the Acadian World Congress,” said Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d’Or–Cape Breton, speaking on behalf of Minister Byrne. “These projects are helping to promote and to preserve Acadian culture in Cape Breton. The interest generated by the World Acadian Congress will result in an increase in tourism dollars and the creation of jobs on the Island.”

“The new equipment will improve the capacity of the station to provide the standard of quality expected by the viewing public for an event such as the Acadian World Congress,” said Eric Chiasson, Director of CHNE Television Communautaire. “The quality of promotional material for this event could have a major impact on tourism in Chéticamp.”

“The upgrades to our radio equipment will give us the capability to broadcast live throughout Cape Breton during the Acadian World Congress,” said
Vincent Boudreau, President of La Cooperative Radio Richmond Limitée. “This will help to promote our region as a tourism destination to all listeners.”

The total cost of both projects is $85,000. CHNE Television Communautaire de Chéticamp is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $35,000 from which $17,500 is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and another $17,500 from the Interdepartmental Partnership with Official Language Communities (IPOLC) of Canadian Heritage. La Cooperative Radio Richmond Limitée is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $50,000 from which $25,000 is funded by ACOA and the other $25,000 from IPOLC.

CHNE is a locally owned community television station that tapes and airs events in the Chéticamp area. They seek to promote local francophone artists and will be instrumental in providing information and coverage of events to locals and tourists during the 2004 celebrations.

La Cooperative Radio Richmond was formed in 1998. Their mandate is to operate a year-round French language community radio that will promote community spirit as well as provide local artists and event organizers with a means of reaching their audience during the upcoming Acadian World Congress.

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

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan
Office of the Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Office of Rodger Cuzner, M.P.
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel.: (902) 842-9763 or Fax: (902) 842-9025

D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564 3617

Eric Chiasson
Director, CHME Television Communautaire
Tel: (902) 224-3328

Vincent Boudreau
President, La Cooperative Radio Richmond Limitée
Tel: (902) 226-0981 or (902) 226-3263