Let's celebrate our history through the creative and technological excellence of our local artists

/EINPresswire.com/ -- MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/17/16 -- Department of Canadian Heritage

During an event today at the studio of Realisations Inc., the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the Government of Canada's vision for the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017 while celebrating Montreal's technological and creative excellence at the announcement of the federal contribution to two projects as part of the Canada 150 Fund.

According to Minister Joly, the 150th anniversary of Confederation gives the Government of Canada an opportunity to engage and inspire Canadians in their communities. It is also a time to come together to celebrate our shared values, our Canadian identity, our achievements, our majestic environment and our place in the world.

The vision seeks to bring people together and inspire them. It will feature themes focusing on diversity and inclusiveness, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, youth and the environment.

To make 2017 a memorable year of celebrations for all Canadians, Minister Joly today confirmed that the Government of Canada will continue to invest in national, regional and local projects to increase Canadians' awareness and invite them to participate in the many events taking place throughout the year.

SESQUI: A home-grown immersive experience

Minister Joly took the opportunity to announce funding of close to $9.5 million for the SESQUI project. Joining her were Joanne Loton and Andrea Stewart, Executive Producer of SESQUI; Roger Parent, President of Realisations Inc.; and Guy St-Amour, Technical Producer and Dome Designer, SESQUI Tour.

With the help of this investment, SESQUI will present Canadians with a festival that will take place in a portable village of dome structures, including an immersive digital space that features live events, interactive programs and a 360 degrees film experience.

Expo 67: A partnership for Montreal's 375th anniversary

Minister Joly, who was also joined by France Chretien Desmarais, President of the Society for the Celebrations of Montreal's 375th Anniversary, also announced a partnership with the Society that will help pair two major anniversaries in 2017.

Thanks to a contribution from the Government of Canada of up to $4 million, the partnership announced today will make it possible to move forward with projects to commemorate Expo 67-an important moment in the history of Montreal and of Canada.

Quick Facts

Program for the 150th anniversary of Confederation

--  The main themes of the Government of Canada's vision for the 150th
    anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusiveness,
    reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the environment and youth.
--  The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015. It has an overall
    budget of $210 million.
--  Through the Fund, the Government of Canada will continue to make
    strategic investments in activities that support the vision of the 150th
    anniversary and encourage Canadians to participate directly.
--  SESQUI is a touring, immersive media experience that reframes how we
    imagine Canada as a country.
--  The Society for the Celebrations of Montreal's 375th Anniversary, active
    since spring 2013, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to
    organize the celebrations for Montreal's 375th anniversary in 2017, by
    working in tandem with various private and public partners.

Quotes

"Expo 67 left its mark on a whole generation of Canadians and launched Montreal onto the international scene. The centennial celebrations were a catalyst for IMAX, a larger-than-life project that has left its mark on the film industry in Montreal and around the world. We can also find this promising outlook on the future in the team behind SESQUI. In 2017, Montrealers are invited to highlight two milestones in their history: the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the 375th anniversary of their city. Let's be proud of who we are and celebrate our successes, our artists and our flourishing film and performing arts industries."

- The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"We are honoured to be one of Canada 150's pan-Canadian signature initiatives and to have the opportunity to share the first look at the SESQUI experience with everyone today. SESQUI was born out of the desire to celebrate Canada's creative spirit and innovation while bringing people together in a unique and immersive experience. At SESQUI, we are invested in the advancement of culture and technological innovation that will help contribute to the success of Canada's creative economy."

- Andrea Stewart, Executive Producer of SESQUI

"We are very happy about this new contribution from the Government of Canada to the 2017 festivities in Montreal. I would like to thank Canadian Heritage and Minister Melanie Joly for this definite commitment. It will allow us to commemorate Expo 67, a significant event in the history of Montreal and Canada, which already showed, almost 50 years ago, the vibrancy of Montreal."

- France Chretien Desmarais, President of the Society for the Celebrations of Montreal's 375th Anniversary

"Over the course of Montreal's 375 years, 1967-when we hosted the World Expo-was certainly one of the most important in our history. The year 1967 not only shaped Montreal's international image, but Canada's as well. Today's action by the federal government underscores the importance that 1967 had for all of Canada."

- Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal.

Associated Links

Canada 150

Community Infrastructure Program

Canada 150 logo and typeface

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BACKGROUNDER

The 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017

Our strength: our diversity. Our pride: our sense of the future.

Canadians throughout the country, as well as those living abroad, will proudly take part in the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that it means to be Canadian. The Government of Canada is proud to be part of this anniversary of national and historic importance. It plans to:

--  promote and celebrate our Canadian identity; our ethnic, linguistic,
    cultural and regional diversity; and our rich history and heritage;
--  encourage Canadians to invest in our country's future by bringing about
    significant changes and leaving a lasting legacy for coming generations;
--  create opportunities for Canadians to participate and celebrate together
    our shared values, our Canadian identity, our achievements, our majestic
    environment and our place in the world; and
--  maximize government investments and generate economic benefits for the
    country's communities.

The main themes of the Government of Canada's vision for the 150th anniversary of Confederation are:

--  Diversity and inclusion - We want to continue building a welcoming
    Canada where there is a place for everyone, a Canada where everyone can
    reach his or her full potential.


--  Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples - We want to support
    reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples and make use of the 150th
    anniversary to reaffirm our intent to implement the recommendations of
    the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.


--  Youth - We want to continue to engage young people and give them the
    means to contribute to our society, because they are the ones who will
    shape tomorrow's Canada.


--  Environment - We want to be the custodians of our environment, because
    it is a source of our country's wealth and pride. We want to bring
    Canadians closer to nature in order to strengthen their environmental
    awareness.

The Canada 150 Fund

--  The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015. It has an overall
    budget of $210 million.

The Canada 150 logo and typeface

--  The Canada 150 logo and the Canada 150 typeface are available to all
    Canadians, as well as to organizations and businesses that would like to
    use them on their products.

Federal partners

Federal departments and agencies will prepare activities to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation under their own programs-such as issuing commemorative coins or postage stamps, or other activities to be announced in the coming months.

In 2017, we will commemorate several other important events that will add to the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation. These include the centennial of the battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele; the 125th anniversary of the Stanley Cup; the centennial of the National Hockey League; the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid; and the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games.

Contacts:
Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

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