Signing of an Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Fédération Culturelle Canadienne-Française for the Development of Francophone Arts and Culture in Canada
OTTAWA, March 18, 2002 -- On behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, President of the Privy Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for Official Languages Stéphane Dion today announced the renewal of an agreement to foster the cultural and artistic vitality of Canada's Francophone and Acadian communities.This five-year agreement (2002 to 2007), accompanied by an action plan, lays down a collaboration framework between the federal cultural organizations and the Francophone and Acadian communities through services, partnerships and technical and financial support.
"This agreement shows that coordination between federal institutions gives concrete results for official-language communities," stated Minister Dion.
The agreement was also signed by Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Centre Peter Herndorff; Government Film Commissioner and Chair of the National Film Board of Canada Jacques Bensimon; Vice-President of French Television of CBC/Radio-Canada Michèle Fortin; Vice-President of French Radio of CBC/Radio-Canada Sylvain Lafrance; and Director of the Canada Council for the Arts Jean-Louis Roux. The President of the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française Pierre-Raphaël Pelletier also signed the agreement, on behalf of his members.
Minister Dion also announced the Department of Canadian Heritage's support for Zof Montréal, a project included in the agreement. This promotion office will be a gateway into the Montréal and Quebec market and will keep the industry in Quebec informed of the artistic production of French and Acadian communities elsewhere. Over the next three years, the Department will provide $300,000 in program support.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Kerry Edmonds
Press Secretary
for the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
André Lamarre
Special Advisor of the
President of the Privy Council and
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
(613) 943-1838
BACKGROUNDER
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
AND THE FEDERATION CULTURELLE CANADIENNE-FRANÇAISE
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRANCOPHONE ARTS AND CULTURE IN CANADA
This agreement fosters the development of projects in the arts and cultural sectors. It is primarily a mechanism of collaboration between the parties to ensure that existing programs take into account the special needs of minority Francophone communities.
The first agreement, signed in 1998, encouraged a number of initiatives in various arts sectors, such as media arts, publishing, theatre, music and visual arts. These significant partnerships provide tangible evidence of the vitality and unique identity of Canada's Francophone and Acadian communities and of their importance to the Department of Canadian Heritage and its portfolio agencies.
Success stories resulting from the first agreement include:
The Festival du théâtre des régions
The two editions of the Festival du théâtre des régions, held in Ottawa in 1999 and 2001, revealed the extraordinary vitality of French-Canadian theatrical communities. About a dozen French-Canadian theatrical companies took part in each edition. The Festival consisted of a series of activities spread over several days to celebrate theatre. In both cases, French-Canadian theatrical productions were showcased. Each edition represented an investment of more than $450,000 from signatories of the Agreement.
Livres, Disques, etc.
The direct-sales company Livres, Disques, etc., launched in 1999 by the Regroupement des éditeurs canadiens-français (RECF), makes it possible for Francophones and Francophiles across Canada to buy French books, albums, videos and CD-ROMs, and offers a unique selection by French-Canadian authors and artists. Since 1999, the federal government has invested more than $275,000.
FCCF's participation in the Bourse Rideau in Quebec City
Since 1998, the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF) has taken part in the Bourse Rideau (Réseau indépendant des diffuseurs d'événements artistiques unis) in Quebec City. This major event for the Quebec recording and performing industry presents a unique opportunity for French-Canadian artists to promote their talent and attract the interest of Quebec arts presenters in their musical and theatrical creations. The Bureau de promotion de Montréal is working closely with the FCCF to raise the profile of the talent that is present in Canada's Francophone and Acadian communities. Since 1998, the federal government has contributed a total of $145,000 to this project.
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