The Honourable James Moore

Celebrate Canada Funding

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Issue

Media are reporting that the province of Quebec receives 85% of the Celebrate Canada funding.

Facts

The funding allocated to each province and territory for Celebrate Canada celebrations currently includes financial support for all Celebrate Canada Committees and for more than 1600 organizations throughout the country to help them celebrate National Aboriginal Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day, and Canada Day.

Of the $6.7 million allocated to the provinces and territories for 2008–2009, a total of $3.7 million was provided to Celebrate Canada Committees for that period.

The Government of Canada recognizes that there are regional imbalances in the current funding structure, and we have therefore made changes to the program. Funding has been increased, and there will no longer be set funding amounts for regional committees in future years, which will ensure a more equitable distribution among the provinces and territories.