The 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017: It's Happening Right Here!

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 14, 2016) - Department of Canadian Heritage

During an event today at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the Government of Canada's vision for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. She also announced funding for two pan-Canadian signature projects.

According to Minister Joly, the 150^th anniversary of Confederation gives the Government of Canada an opportunity to engage and inspire Canadians in their communities. It is also a time to come together to celebrate our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our place in the world.

The vision seeks to bring people together and inspire them. It will feature themes focusing on diversity and inclusion, reconciliation from nation to nation with Indigenous people, youth and the environment.

To make 2017 a memorable year of celebrations for all Canadians, Minister Joly today confirmed that the Government of Canada will continue to invest in Canada-wide, regional and local projects to increase Canadians' awareness and invite them to participate in the many events taking place throughout the year.

Minister Joly took the opportunity to announce funding of $10 million for the organization Community Foundations of Canada for its project, the Community Fund for Canada's 150^th. She was accompanied by two representatives of Community Foundations of Canada: Andrew Chunilall, Chief Operating Officer, and Laurel Carlton, Director, Leadership Initiatives and Governance.

The funding will be used for local activities and initiatives that will help bring Canadians together and encourage actions already put in place by communities across the country for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation.

Minister Joly also announced funding of $7.5 million for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Joining her was Dave Postill, the Orchestra's Vice-President of Marketing.

The investment will enable the Toronto Symphony to create a music program highlighting Canada's musical talent, as well as orchestras and artists in many Canadian communities.

During today's event, Jim Balsillie and Kardinal Offishall-two Canadians who are prominent in their field-joined Minister Joly as ambassadors to encourage Canadians to get involved in the 150^th anniversary celebrations in their own communities.

Quick Facts

Program for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation

• The main themes of the Government of Canada's vision for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation from nation to nation with Indigenous people, the environment and youth.

• The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015. It has an overall budget of $210 million.

• Through the Fund, the Government of Canada will continue to make strategic investments in activities that support the vision of the 150^th anniversary and encourage Canadians to participate directly.

• The Community Foundations of Canada movement stimulates local vitality through 191 community foundations across the country. This national network helps Canadians to build strong communities that are good places to live, work and enjoy life.

• The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1922, is one of Canada's most important cultural institutions and is internationally renowned.

Quotes

"The 150^th anniversary of Confederation is an opportunity that communities throughout the country should seize. I invite all Canadians to dream about what the future holds for them, to contribute to our country's growth, to bring about significant changes, and to leave a lasting legacy for coming generations. Join the celebration!"

-The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"In partnership with many diverse organizations across the country, this project will create a national musical celebration for Canada's 150th and will have a lasting impact on music in Canada well beyond 2017, ensuring a continuous celebration of our Canadian musical past while also creating extraordinary conditions for Canadian composers and innovators to flourish."

-Jeff Melanson, President and CEO, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

"Canada's 150th is a historic moment with the power to strengthen our communities and our connection to one another. The collaborative Community Fund for Canada's 150th will spark thousands of initiatives and activities that bring out the best that Canada has to offer. The Fund will encourage all Canadians to contribute to their communities in a way that fosters a greater sense of belonging, inclusion, and reconciliation, leaving a lasting legacy for our communities and our country."

-Ian Bird, President of Community Foundations of Canada

Associated Links

Canada 150

Community Infrastructure Program

Canada 150 logo and typeface

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Backgrounder

The 150^th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017

Our strength: our diversity. Our pride: our sense of the future.

Canadians throughout the country, as well as those living abroad, will proudly take part in the celebrations marking the 150^th anniversary of Confederation. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that it means to be Canadian. The Government of Canada is proud to be part of this anniversary of national and historic importance. It plans to:

• promote and celebrate our Canadian identity; our ethnic, linguistic, cultural and regional diversity; and our rich history and heritage;

• encourage Canadians to invest in our country's future by bringing about significant changes and leaving a lasting legacy for coming generations;

• create opportunities for Canadians to participate and celebrate together our shared values, our Canadian identity, our achievements, our majestic environment and our place in the world; and

• maximize government investments and generate economic benefits for the country's communities.

The main themes of the Government of Canada's vision for the 150th anniversary of Confederation are:

• Diversity and inclusion - We want to continue building a welcoming Canada where there is a place for everyone, a Canada where everyone can reach his or her full potential.

• Reconciliation from nation to nation with Indigenous people - We want to support reconciliation efforts with Indigenous people and make use of the 150th anniversary to reaffirm our intent to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

• Youth - We want to continue to engage young people and give them the means to contribute to our society, because they are the ones who will shape tomorrow's Canada.

• Environment - We want to be the custodians of our environment, because it is a source of our country's wealth and pride. We want to bring Canadians closer to nature in order to strengthen their environmental awareness.

The Canada 150 Fund

• The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015. It has an overall budget of $210 million.

The Canada 150 logo and typeface

• The Canada 150 logo and the Canada 150 typeface are available to all Canadians, as well as to organizations and businesses that would like to use them on their products.

Federal partners

Federal departments and agencies will prepare activities to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Confederation under their own programs-such as issuing commemorative coins or postage stamps, or other activities to be announced in the coming months.

In 2017, we will commemorate several other important events that will add to the celebration of the 150^th anniversary of Confederation. These include the centennial of the battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele; the 125^th anniversary of the Stanley Cup; the centennial of the National Hockey League; the 75^th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid; and the 50^th anniversary of the Canada Games.