Federal Government Funds Trout Forest Music Festival
EAR FALLS, Ontario, June 8, 2006 -On behalf of Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Tony Clement, Minister of Health and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today announced $25,000 in funding for the Trout Forest Music Festival."On behalf of Canada's new government, I am pleased to announce our support for the Trout Forest Music Festival and to encourage access to artistic events and experiences for all Canadians," said Minister Clement. "Though the Township of Ear Falls is considered a remote community, the Trout Forest Music Festival presents excellent performances by professional artists and demonstrates that this community is more than capable of promoting Canadian cultural heritage."
The funds will allow the organizers of the Trout Forest Music Festival to increase their outreach and ultimately increase access for people in the region to the diverse range of artists offered at the Festival.
"This initiative will enrich northern Ontario's cultural life and will showcase the creative talent that can be found in this province and across the country," said Minister Oda. "The Trout Forest Music Festival is providing a diversity of artistic experiences to a population that would not otherwise have access to professional performing arts experiences at this level."
The Trout Forest Music Festival was launched in 1996 in Pakwash Park, to an audience of 106. In its eleventh year of operation, the Festival now attracts a much larger audience and features over 50 artists from across Canada.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Arts Presentation Canada program. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
Information:
Robert Paterson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Erik Waddell
Press secretary
Office of the Minister of Health
and Minister for the Federal
Economic Development Initiative
for Northern Ontario
613 957-0200
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 997-9314
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