Government of Canada Funds 34th Festival International de Jazz de Montreal

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 28, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today joined the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, in announcing funding from the Government of Canada to the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

"In lending its financial support to the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Government of Canada is helping to promote Montréal's international reach and to stimulate the city's economy, which is sure to benefit from the spinoffs generated by the large number of foreign tourists in town for the event," said Minister Lebel.

"In addition to being an important driver of our economy, arts and culture play a key role in ensuring the well-being of our communities," added Minister Moore. "The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is among the best in the world, and we are proud to support it. Congratulations to everyone who is contributing to the success of the 34th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal."

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal features hundreds of concerts, two-thirds of them free shows performed at outdoor venues. Every year, thousands of musicians from some 30 countries around the world converge on Montréal for the 10-day festival to showcase their artistic talent. The event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city every year and generates significant economic benefits.

Information:

The funding from Canada Economic Development has been granted in the form of a $1,374,750 non-repayable financial contribution under the Quebec Economic Development Program and is for the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. This assistance will serve specifically for the implementation of an international commercialization strategy to help increase the Festival's ability to attract foreign tourists.

Funding in the amount of $1,000,000 for the 2013 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is being provided by Canadian Heritage through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

Keep up with the latest news from Canada Economic Development by visiting www.dec-ced.gc.ca or subscribing to @CanEconDev on Twitter.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.