OREANDA-NEWS. September 19, 2016. Marc Serr, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced an investment of \\$25,000 to help boost cultural tourism, create jobs and support the continued growth of Northern Ontario's francophone communities.

The FedNor contribution will enable Caf?-Musique Productions of Rayside-Balfour to organize, promote and produce a variety of unique, bilingual tourism and community events to celebrate Rayside-Balfour's 125th anniversary. Specifically, the funding will be used to celebrate Rayside-Balfour's bilingual history, promote the region's uniqueness, create collaborations and synergies through community partnerships, attract tourists and boost participation in planned celebrations.

Quick facts

  • The funding announced today is provided through FedNor's Economic Development Initiative (EDI), a Government of Canada initiative that is part of the Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018.
  • The EDI helps foster the development of new expertise in innovation, economic diversification and business growth in Northern Ontario's Francophone communities (the region's official language minority community) and capitalize on economic opportunities made possible through linguistic duality.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to invest in strategic initiatives that celebrate the culture and heritage of Northern Ontario's official language minority communities, while enhancing tourism and strengthening the local economy. I look forward to the positive social and economic results this funding will deliver for the people, businesses and communities of the Greater Sudbury region."

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor

"Greater Sudbury has a thriving cultural and artistic industry and this targeted investment will further position the region for sustainable social and economic growth. Today's announcement will create positive and direct benefits for the community and businesses throughout the area, while making the region a better place to live, work, play and visit."

– Marc Serr, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

"This strong show of support from the Government of Canada will help ensure Rayside-Balfour's 125th Anniversary is a tremendous social, cultural and economic success. On behalf of Caf?-Musique and our community partners, I would like to thank FedNor for recognizing the importance of this initiative and investing to protect and enhance linguistic duality in Northern Ontario."

– Gary Michalak, Executive Director of Operations, Caf?-Musique Productions of Rayside-Balfour