Minister James Moore Announces Funding for Culture, Infrastructure and Jobs in Tri-Cities

COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 26, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Today, the Honourable James Moore, Minister Responsible for British Columbia and Member of Parliament (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam), announced $623,024 in funding support for arts and culture, seniors, accessibility upgrades, veterans and jobs in the Tri-Cities community.

Funding announced today will not only improve the quality of festivals and celebrations that take place every year, but also enhance access to community centres and public spaces where they take place. From building ramps and installing door openers to acquiring new equipment and facility upgrades, these improvements will make a real difference in the lives of Tri-Cities residents. Seniors centres will be able to continue to provide daily activities, the Town Centre in Coquitlam will be more accessible to people with disabilities, and more people will be able to attend community festivals and learn about our country's rich culture and heritage.

Quick Facts

• The City of Port Moody will receive $32,800 to host Golden Spike Days. This long-running annual festival is a highlight for the Tri-Cities, showcasing community traditions.

• The Evergreen Cultural Centre will receive $14,000 to present its 2014-15 annual season, which includes more than 80 performances of drama, music and dance, and includes workshops for children and young people.

• La Société francophone de Maillardville will receive $59,000 over two years to present the 26^th and 27^th Festival du Bois, one of B.C.'s largest Francophone festivals of music, dance, craft, food and culture, as well as several other Francophone community events throughout the year.

• Forty-five organizations in the Tri-Cities will receive a combined $363,088 in Canada Summer Jobs funding to hire 98 students. The organizations include the City of Coquitlam, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, Evergreen Cultural Centre, the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hawthorne Seniors Care Community, Terry Fox Foundation and the PoCo Youth Society. Canada Summer Jobs helps students gain the skills and experience they need to be successful now and in the future, while earning money for the upcoming school year.

• The City of Coquitlam, the City of Port Coquitlam, the Port Moody Heritage Society and the Royal Canadian Legion #263 will receive a total of $30,800 to host festivities celebrating Canada's birthday and heritage.

• The Port Moody Heritage Society will receive $5,000 to honour community members who took part in World War I. The Port Moody Museum, operated by the Port Moody Heritage Society, will turn into a military encampment, recreating the wartime experience and sharing the stories of those who gave their lives for Canada.
• The City of Coquitlam will receive $44,436 in funding to complete renovations to Coquitlam Town Centre that improve physical accessibility and safety for people with disabilities.
• The Glen Pine 50 Plus Society, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 and the Wilson Centre Seniors' Advisory Association will receive $73,900 to upgrade their facilities and make it easier for seniors in the Tri-Cities to access community programs and take part in daily activities.

• These investments include projects funded under the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, Canada Summer Jobs, the Celebrate Canada program, the Community Engagement Partnership Fund, the Enabling Accessibility Fund and the New Horizons for Seniors program.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to partner with local organizations that connect our community through arts performances, celebrations of festivals and improvements to community centres. The Tri-Cities has a strong tradition of bringing together residents both young and old through vibrant local festivals and strong neighbourhood arts organizations. I am thrilled to see the continuation of support for festivals and cultural events that help make the Tri-Cities such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family."

-The Honourable James Moore, Member of Parliament (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam)

"As one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the Lower Mainland, Coquitlam strives to provide exceptional arts, culture and recreation opportunities for members of our community of every age, ability and cultural background. These opportunities are enhanced through our partnerships with the Government of Canada."

-His Worship Richard Stewart, Mayor, City of Coquitlam

"We'd like to thank the federal government for their ongoing support of Canada Day celebrations in Port Coquitlam. These events bring our community together to celebrate our rich heritage, culture and diversity. We also appreciate the support provided to our seniors advisory group and our local legion branch so they can continue to provide services that keep seniors in our community healthy, engaged and active."

-His Worship Greg Moore, Mayor, City of Port Coquitlam

"It's great to see this announcement of funding supporting volunteer groups who work hard to enrich our community. The Golden Spike Days Festival is the premier annual event in Port Moody that relies on thousands of volunteer hours, and I believe taxpayers appreciate seeing the federal government making these investments - with all of these great Tri-Cities organizations - on their behalf."

-His Worship Mike Clay, Mayor, City of Port Moody

"The Port Moody Golden Spike Days Society is immensely grateful for the contribution that the Government of Canada has made to our festival. This funding allows us to engage our community by presenting a talented group of local entertainers including heritage and family-centric activities that keep patrons returning year after year. The festival would not be possible without this generous support."

-Monique Balaski, President, Port Moody Golden Spike Days Society

"We are very pleased with the Government of Canada's support of our two projects. Celebrate Canada funding for our first ever National Aboriginal Day event on June 21, 2014, enabled us to build a partnership with the Kwikwetlam First Nation that has us planning for our second annual event in 2015. Veterans Affairs Canada has supported our Maple Leaf show where we anticipate 5,000 visitors will come to our small museum to honour our veterans in remembrance and peace."

-Jim Millar, Executive Director, Port Moody Heritage Society

"The Wilson Centre is very grateful to have received funding from the Government of Canada through the New Horizons for Seniors Program for renovations to our handicapped washroom facilities. The Wilson Centre is quite old and would be unable to accommodate the increased need as seniors are living longer, using walkers and wheelchairs. Indeed, the huge baby-boomer generation is putting more stress on our facilities, as well. The funding we have received will go a long way toward making our more than 1,200 members more comfortable and will also allow us to grow our membership. Thank you to the Government of Canada for its help. It is money well spent."

-Bruce Hansen, President, Wilson Centre Seniors' Advisory Association

Associated Links

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Canada Summer Jobs

Celebrate Canada program

City of Coquitlam Canada Day 2014

City of Coquitlam Town Centre Park

Community Engagement Partnership Fund

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Evergreen Cultural Centre

Glen Pine 50 Plus Society

New Horizons for Seniors program

Port Coquitlam Canada Day 2014

Port Moody Golden Spike Days Festival

Port Moody Heritage Society

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 263

Société francophone de Maillardville

Wilson Centre Seniors' Advisory Association

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BACKGROUNDER

From the Department of Canadian Heritage:

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Port Moody	Port Moody Golden Spike Days Society	38th Annual Golden Spike Days Festival	$32,800 (2014-15)
			TOTAL : $32,800

Canada Arts Presentation Fund The Canada Arts Presentation Fund 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.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Coquitlam	Evergreen Cultural Centre Society	Evergreen Cultural Centre Series	$14,000 (2014-15)
Coquitlam	Société francophone de Maillardville	26th and 27th Festival du Bois / Scène de Maillardville	$29,500 (2014-15) $29,500 (2015-16)
			TOTAL: $73,000
Celebrate Canada Celebrate Canada is an 11-day celebration that takes place from June 21 to July 1 and includes National Aboriginal Day on June 21, St. Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and Canada Day on July 1.
City	Organization	Project	Funding and Year
Coquitlam	City of Coquitlam	Canada Day Celebrations 2014	$21,000 (2014-15)
Coquitlam	Royal Canadian Legion Branch 263	Canada Day Celebration	$300 (2014-15)
Port Coquitlam	Port Coquitlam Canada Day Task Force	Canada Day Celebrations 2014	$8,500 (2014-15)
Port Moody	Port Moody Heritage Society	Celebrate Our Aboriginal Heritage	$1,000 (2014-15)
			TOTAL : $30,800

From Employment and Social Development Canada:

Canada Summer Jobs Canada Summer Jobs equips young Canadians with the skills and experience they need to get into the workforce. This year alone, Canada Summer Jobs is creating 98 job opportunities for youth with 45 employers in the Tri-Cities area representing $363,088 in funding. This benefits students, employers and local economies.
			TOTAL : $363,088
Enabling Accessibility Fund The Enabling Accessibility Fund is a federal grants and contributions program that supports capital costs of construction and renovations related to improving physical accessibility and safety for people with disabilities in Canadian communities and workplaces.
City	Organization	Project	Funding
Coquitlam	City of Coquitlam	Town Centre Accessibility Project	$44,436
			TOTAL : $44,436
New Horizons for Seniors Program The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.
City	Organization	Project	Funding
Coquitlam	Glen Pine 50 Plus Society	Staying Connected	$23,900
Port Coquitlam	Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133	Upgrade and Space Utilization of the Legion	$25,000
Port Coquitlam	Wilson Centre Seniors' Advisory Association	Wilson Centre Accessibility Upgrade	$25,000
			TOTAL : $73,900

From Veterans Affairs Canada:

Community Engagement Partnership Fund The Community Engagement Partnership Fund aims to expand the reach of remembrance programming by providing funding for projects that recognize traditional and modern-day Canadian Veterans and those who died in service. Supporting commemorative projects ensures that Canadians have increased opportunities to participate in remembrance.
City	Organization	Project	Funding
Port Moody	Port Moody Heritage Society	The Maple Leaf Show	$5,000
			TOTAL : $5,000