Government of Canada Announces Candidate Municipalities for the 2003 Cultural Capitals of Canada Awards
OTTAWA, February 17, 2003 -- On the occasion of Heritage Day, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced the names of the 30 towns and cities that have applied to be designated one of the five Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2003."The Government of Canada is proud to work with local officials to develop an environment supportive of arts and culture, which will enhance the quality of life of residents," said Minister Copps. "Cultural Capitals of Canada is only in its first year of existence, and the number of candidate towns and cities attests to the importance that they attach to the goals we want to reach."
The Cultural Capitals of Canada program publicly recognizes and rewards Canadian towns and cities that have demonstrated excellence in the field of arts and culture. The awards consist of matching contributions of up to $500,000, to be used to carry out special projects. Winners will be chosen based on the recommendation of an advisory panel that will evaluate the past achievements of candidate municipalities in the field of arts and culture, as well as proposed new projects. The five winners designated as Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2003 will be announced in early spring.
The Cultural Capitals of Canada program was launched on May 31, 2002. For program guidelines and application forms, consult the Canadian Heritage Web site www.canadianheritage.gc.ca and click on "Application Forms."
A list of candidate towns and cities is attached.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Candidate towns and cities for 2003 Cultural Capitals of Canada awards
Population of 125 000 or more (one prize)
Ottawa, Ontario
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Vancouver, British Columbia
Population between 50 000 and 125 000 (one prize)
Brandon, Manitoba
Guelph, Ontario
Langley, British Columbia
Red Deer, Alberta
St. Albert, Alberta
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Population of 50 000 or less (two prizes)
Blind River, Ontario
Campbell River, British Columbia
Canmore, Alberta
Canso, Nova Scotia
Cobalt, Ontario
Caraquet, New Brunswick
Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador
North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Ponoka, Alberta
Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec
Sackville, New Brunswick
Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec
Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Southern First Nation, Ontario
Tahltan Band Council, British Columbia
Uxbridge, Ontario
Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Woodstock, Ontario
Innovative Cultural Bridges (one prize)
Caraquet, New Brunswick
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