WEST NIPISSING—Performing arts, culture and heritage play an important role in the lives of residents throughout Northern Ontario. This is why ensuring the recovery of the arts and culture sector remains an important goal for the Government of Canada.

Today, Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced that the Government of Canada will provide $113,000 to Conseil des Arts Nipissing Ouest (CANO) to support the relaunch of the organization and its fall programming. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Included in this announcement is a $96,000 grant through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. An additional $17,000 grant has also been awarded to support artistic programming.

These investments will contribute to the development of organizations hosting events and performances in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. This project has a major impact in Ontario, in the arts and culture sector, as well as on tourism and economic development.

Le Groupe Swing (LGS), 21 Gun Salute (AC/DC Tribute), Michaël Rancourt-The Jukebox Years, and CCR Reborn (CCR Tribute) are some of the many shows that are being presented by CANO thanks to this important funding announcement.

Additional support for arts, culture and celebrations

MP Serré also pointed out that Budget 2022 builds on recent steps that the federal government has taken to ensure opportunities for all Canadians to thrive and to support the recovery of our arts and culture sector, including $500 million for the recovery of the arts, culture, heritage and sports sectors, and to support community-level festivals and other in-person cultural events.

Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on arts and culture in the Nickel Belt region. This new funding will provide high quality francophone programming to residents in West Nipissing and the entire Nickel Belt area. The funding provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund will lead to the recovery of francophone programming throughout the area and I cannot wait to learn about the organization’s success.”

—Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to put the West Nipissing Arts Council in a dormant state as of March 2020. However, this new funding from the federal government’s Canadian Heritage has allowed us to return to presenting concerts and other cultural activities in both official languages in order to serve West Nipissing and its surrounding areas. We are an entertainment engine that the community not only wants, but needs.”

—Marc Lavigne, Chair of the Board of Directors for the West Nipissing Arts Council

“Festivals are a wonderful occasion to celebrate our culture and heritage with family and friends. These festivals also help ensure a strong and healthy creative economy in Canada. Our government is proud to support CANO which showcases our communities, our diversity, and the incredible talent of Canadian artists. My message to all Canadians is: go out, explore and have fun!”

—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

• In Budget 2021, $500 million was provided for the reopening and recovery of cultural, heritage, and sport organizations:
  • The Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors provided $300 million over two years and is administered by existing Canadian Heritage programs as well as programs delivered by the Canada Council for the Arts and Telefilm Canada.
• The Reopening Fund provided $200 million over two years through existing programs to support Canada’s festivals, cultural events, outdoor theatre performances, heritage celebrations, local museums, amateur sport events, and more.
• The Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative (MFESI) is a two-year, $200-million national fund to help major Canadian festivals survive and adapt to the pandemic, delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies.
• With an ongoing annual grants and contributions budget of $32.3 million, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series and organizations that offer support to arts presenters.
• In Budget 2021, the Fund was awarded an additional $8 million per year for 2 years (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) to its annual budget.
• In 2021-2022, the Fund received an additional $20 million as part of the Support for Workers in the Live Arts and Music Sectors Fund, as announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.
• Budget 2021 also allocated $10 million to the CAPF for 2021–2022 under the Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors, and $25 million for 2022–2023 under the Reopening Fund, for the purposes of implementing temporary measures specifically aimed at the arts presentation sector.

Associated Links

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage—Canada.ca

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

For more information:

Matthew Ierino

Special Assistant

Marc Serré

705-507-2416

[email protected]