Government of Canada supports festivals in Nova Scotia

Press Release

June 18, 2019

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, and Mr. Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament (Halifax), announced today that the Government of Canada will provide $1.7 million in 2019-2020 to organizations that stage festivals, celebrations and culture in Nova Scotia.

This funding will support 169 projects for celebrations, arts and heritage promotion as well as arts and culture festivals for residents and tourists in regions throughout Nova Scotia. These projects have a major impact in the province, in the arts and culture sector as well as on tourism and economic development.

The funding is provided through the Celebrate Canada program, the Local Festivals component of the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program, and the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.

Additional support for arts, culture and celebrations

Minister Rodriguez also pointed out the increased investment of more than $50 million announced in the last budget to support a wide range of arts and heritage events, including arts series, festivals and celebrations throughout Canada.

Arts and culture are essential to an inclusive society and are at the heart of Canada’s growing creative economy. Presentations and other related arts experiences bring Canadian audiences and artists together, and also reflect our cultural, linguistic and regional diversity.

This additional funding will strengthen the cultural and creative industries, help Canadians celebrate diversity, and promote greater inclusion.

Several hundred recipients will benefit from this additional support through these funding programs. This investment will help to meet their current and growing needs, particularly in less affluent regions. Further details will be announced in the near future.

Program	Total amount
Building Communities through Arts and Heritage This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local arts and culture activities as well as local history and heritage activities.	$604,700 46 projects
Canada Arts Presentation Fund This program gives Canadians to experience the variety and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.	$701,000 26 projects
Celebrate Canada Celebrate Canada provides funding for activities organized on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day: Fête nationale du Québec et de la Francophonie canadienne, and Canada Day.	$405,069 97 projects

Quotes

“Festivals are wonderful occasions to celebrate our culture and heritage with family and friends. Our government is proud to support so many festivals, year after year, that showcase our communities, diversity, and the incredible talent of our Canadian artists, while also stimulating the creative economy throughout the country.”

—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

“Halifax and all Nova Scotia are inspired by festivals and celebrations. I am thrilled that our government recognizes the importance of these events, which contribute to the economy, help us to celebrate as a family and make our communities and our province such a great place to live.”

—Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax

Quick facts

The projects have been funded through Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities through Arts and Heritage, Canada Arts Presentation Fund, and Celebrate Canada programs.
The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program increases opportunities for local artists, artisans, heritage performers or specialists to be involved in their community through festivals, events and projects.
The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series, as well as their support organizations.
Every year, the government supports more than 1,350 festivals and performing arts events in more than 400 communities throughout Canada, through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund and the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program.
Celebrate Canada provides funding to community-based activities celebrating and promoting National Indigenous People Day on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and Canada Day on July 1. Every year, more than 10 million Canadians participate in hundreds of events supported by this program throughout the country.The increased funding proposed in Budget 2019 for the Celebration and Commemoration Program will help expand the scope and visibility of these days of celebration, and to highlight the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The additional investment of $50.25 million over two years (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) announced in the last budget will be distributed as follows:
- $16 million over two years for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund;
- $14 million over two years for the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program; and
- $20.25 million over two years for the Celebration and Commemoration Program.