Today's federal budget is good news for the thousands of local and national organizations gearing up to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, says the 150Alliance, an open network promoting action and impact around Canada's sesquicentennial.
Federal Finance Minister
Joe Oliver
announced
$210 million
over four years to celebrate
Canada's
150th birthday in 2017, news that will be welcomed by the organizations connected to the 150Alliance. The government will also launch the
Canada
150 Community Infrastructure Program to support the renovation, expansion and improvement of existing community infrastructure across
Canada
.
Launched in January, the 150Alliance already includes hundreds of public, not-for-profit, and private-sector organizations committed to making the most of 2017.
Alliance members include some of the country's best-known institutions, including the National Arts Centre,
Toronto
International Film Festival,
Montreal
375, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Clubs of
Canada
, Parks Canada, CBC-Radio Canada,
Canada
Games Council, National Association of Friendship Centres, VIA Rail Canada, the Trans Canada Trail and many, many more.
"We've already met hundreds of individuals and organizations who recognize the incredible opportunities around
Canada's
150th," said
Ian Bird
, President of Community Foundations of
Canada
, the organization that is kick-starting the 150Alliance. "Today's announcement will signal to everyone that 2017 is just around the corner. Now is the time to act."
"This is a time for Canadians to map out new adventures and push past old limits. It's a time to dream about what our country could be. The ongoing collaboration between the 150Alliance and
Canada
150 gives us an opportunity to do just that," said Bird.
The 150Alliance will act as
Canada's
hub for all 2017 activity. For instance, the network is creating a massive digital platform and resource centre that will catalogue every 2017 event and initiative across the country. The directory will give individuals, organizations and corporations the ability to search, connect with, and support events in their community, their sector of interest, or during a particular time period.
So far the 150Alliance has hosted successful events in
Ottawa
,
Toronto
and
Vancouver
, with more gatherings planned in
Calgary
(
May 5
),
Halifax
(
May 20
) and
Quebec
(early June). A list of the growing number of organizations participating in the 150Alliance is available at
www.150alliance.ca
.
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