Encouraging Private Donations: Government of Canada Matches Funds to Arts Organizations in the Montréal Region

MONTRÉAL, April 24, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Government will match donations made by individuals, companies, and community groups to 12 arts organizations in Montréal and the surrounding area.

"These organizations have a loyal following here in the Montréal region," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is matching that local support to encourage further donations and ensure that these organizations continue to enrich our lives for many years to come."

"This support is in addition to our Government's many efforts to ensure the long-term growth of this country's arts sectors, including our investments in cultural infrastructure, major festivals, and artist training," added Minister Moore.

The contributions announced total $4,222,861. This amount is in addition to those provided by private donors to the organizations' endowment funds.

The funding has been provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. This year, the Government of Canada is providing 72 cents for every dollar donated by the private sector. Since 2006, this program has provided more than $44 million to various endowment funds, while the private sector has provided $72 million, for a total of more than $116 million.

This initiative complements other measures taken by our Government to encourage private-sector participation in arts funding, such as the tax exemptions on capital gains for donations of publicly traded securities to registered charities announced in the 2006 and 2007 budgets.

The Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program aims to encourage modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations. The Program's Endowment Incentives component provides funding to match donations from the private sector.

For more information about this program, visit www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pcapc-cahsp/103-eng.cfm.

Information:

Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155


BACKGROUNDER
The following organizations are recipients of the funding announced today, provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program.

FOUNDATION	ARTS ORGANIZATION	AMOUNT
Fondation de l'École nationale de cirque	École nationale de cirque	$108,504.48
Fondation du Grand Montréal	École nationale de théâtre	$117,287.55
Fondation du Grand Montréal	Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal	$19,422.30
Fondation du Grand Montréal	Festival des arts de Saint-Sauveur	$14,467.26
Fondation du Festival International de Lanaudière	Festival International de Lanaudière	$54,512.65
Fondation Jeunesses Musicales du Canada	Jeunesses Musicales du Canada	$284,197.82
Fondation Jean Duceppe	La Compagnie Jean Duceppe	$35,518.00
Fonds de dotation de Les Grands ballets canadiens	Les Grands ballets canadiens de Montréal	$1,446,726.36
Fondation I Musici de Montréal	Orchestre de chambre I Musici de Montréal	$7,233.63
Fondation de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal	Orchestre symphonique de Montréal	$1,446,726.36
Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal	The Leanor & Alvin Segal Theatre	$657,894.47
Fondation du Grand Montréal	Théâtre de la ville	$30,370.40
	TOTAL	$4,222,861.28