AZILDA, ON - 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.

Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official languages, announced today that the Government of Canada will provide $6,400 to Café Heritage in support of the Rayside-Balfour Heritage Days Festival in Azilda and Chelmsford, Ontario. This announcement was made on behalf of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez.

Today’s announcement is in addition to over $45,000 in federal government support that Café Héritage has received since 2016. This funding will ensure that this organization will continue to preserve our local heritage for years to come.

This support, which stems from Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage fund, will contribute to the development of organizations hosting events and performances in the arts, culture, and heritage sector, while offering locals and visitors an arts and culture event. This project has a significant impact on the franco-Ontarian in Nickel Belt. It also supports the arts and culture, tourism, and economic development in the region.

This announcement builds on efforts 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

“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 the Rayside Balfour Heritage Days Festival 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!”

—Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“For over 20 years, Café Heritage Rayside-Balfour has been igniting pride among community members and has been key in recognizing local talent in the region. It has been a particular source of inspiration within the franco-Ontarian community here in Nickel Belt. The Federal Government is proud to support the enduring goals of Annual Rayside-Balfour Heritage Days Festival and congratulates this organization for its successes.”

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

“Congratulations to Café Heritage Rayside-Balfour.  Heritage Days Festival provides a unique opportunity for Sudburians to take in some of our inspiring local talent while celebrating the Franco-Ontarian culture of our community.”

• Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury

“We honour and recognize the contribution that Canadian Heritage has played in building community through arts and culture. They have been an important community partner for several years and we look forward to many more years of collaboration. We’re excited to welcome community members at Rayside-Balfour Days between June 8^th and 10^th 2023”

• Gary J. Michalak, Executive Director of Café Heritage

Quick Facts

• Today’s announcement is in addition to over $45,000 in federal government support that Café Héritage has received since 2016. This funding will ensure that this organization will continue to preserve our local heritage for years to come.
• 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 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

For more information:

Matthew Ierino

Special Assistant

Marc Serré

705-507-2416

[email protected]