Government of Canada Renews Support for Festival d'ete de Quebec

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 4, 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, and the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Festival d'été international de Québec continues to benefit from the financial support of the Government of Canada.

"The Government of Canada is proud to be associated with this major player on the Quebec and Canadian cultural scene. This music festival, which has grown in leaps and bounds since its launch in 1968, is now the pride of the Québec City region, and of the entire province," said Minister Lebel.

Canada Economic Development is granting $1.2 million in non-repayable funding to the Festival d'été de Québec, which will serve primarily to promote the Festival internationally in 2013 and 2014. Awarded through the Quebec Economic Development Program, this assistance will also, among others, be used to carry out targeted advertising campaigns that will help to reinforce Québec's reputation as a festive city and world-class tourist destination.

In 2012, Canadian Heritage granted $1.1 million for the presentation of the 2012 and 2013 editions of the event through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. The objective of this program is to give Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances and other artistic experiences. More specifically, this funding will allow the Festival to offer the expected 1.5 million visitors an even wider variety of program events as well as awareness and audience development activities.

"Our Government recognizes that major artistic events are an important driver of our economy and play a key role in ensuring the well-being of our communities," said Minister Moore. "That is why we are proud to support this 46th edition of the Festival d'été de Québec. Have a great Festival, everyone!"

Drawing performers and spectators from all over the world, the Festival d'été de Québec has contributed to building Québec's reputation for more than 40 years and today ranks as a major tourist attraction for the region. The popularity and economic impact of the event has grown steadily year after year, with the 2010 edition generating $25.4 million in economic and tourism spinoffs. The financial support from Canada Economic Development for 2013 and 2014 is in line with the Agency's mandate to encourage the growth of sectors, like tourism, that are instrumental to Quebec's continued economic vitality.

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 also available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.