PRIME MINISTER HARPER VISITS NEW BURLINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

2 December 201-Prime Minister Stephen Harper participates in an event at the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Economic Action Plan initiative will create jobs while setting the stage for arts and culture in Burlington

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today visited the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Funded in part through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the new year-round performing arts centre and adjoining pedestrian bridge are generating growth and employment while providing a gathering place for the community to enjoy live professional arts performances and participate in cultural activities.

“Our Government is proud to be contributing to this world-class cultural venue that will create local jobs and stimulate economic growth,” said the Prime Minister. “The Burlington Performing Arts Centre will also contribute to a stronger community by fostering artistic creativity and cultural participation.”

The 62,000-square-foot performing arts centre – which has resulted in the creation of an estimated 180 jobs during the construction phase as well as 10 full-time and 16 part-time positions – launched its season in October 2011. It features a 718-seat main stage theatre, a community studio theatre and a large lobby for the presentation of live theatrical and musical productions, and the hosting of community events. A new pedestrian bridge links the Centre to the parking facility, providing all-weather access.

Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Canada’s strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Among G-7 countries, Canada has posted the strongest growth in employment by far during the recovery with nearly 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

Burlington Performing Arts Centre

Recognizing that arts and culture play an important role in ensuring our communities are strong and vibrant, our Government is committed to supporting organizations and projects that foster artistic creativity and cultural participation while generating jobs and economic growth.  

To this end, the Government of Canada provided $4.5 million for the construction of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and adjoining pedestrian bridge. Funded in part through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, this new facility – which has resulted in the creation of an estimated 180 jobs during the construction phase as well as 10 full-time and 16 part-time positions – will serve community arts organizations, provide a venue for professional arts presentations and revitalize the downtown core.

Located in Burlington, Ontario, this new 62,000-square-foot Performing Arts Centre boasts a 718-seat main stage theatre and a community studio theatre for the presentation of theatre and musical performances, and the hosting of other community activities. The Centre also includes a lobby featuring a glass roof, encircled by a galleria that can accommodate large groups for receptions, exhibitions, and corporate and community events.

A new pedestrian bridge links the Centre to the parking facility, providing all-weather access, and access for persons with disabilities.

Government of Canada support was provided through a variety of programs and initiatives, including:

·          $2.5 million over three years, from 2007 to 2010, from Canadian Heritage through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund;

·          $1.5 million in 2009 from Infrastructure Canada through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component towards the construction costs of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre; and

·          $500,000 in 2009 through the Economic Action Plan’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, managed by Infrastructure Canada, to support the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the Performing Arts Centre to a parking facility.

The Province of Ontario, the City of Burlington and private donors also contributed to the total costs of the project.

The Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. The Fund is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

The Major Infrastructure Component (MIC) of the Building Canada Fund targets larger, strategic projects of national and regional significance. Under the MIC, two-thirds of funding, on a national basis, will be directed to national priorities like drinking water, wastewater, the core National Highway System, public transit and green energy.  Funding is also being made available to address other national and regional priorities and objectives, such as cultural infrastructure.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government established the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provided funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects across Canada to stimulate economic activity and job creation.

Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Canada’s strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Among G-7 countries, Canada has posted the strongest growth in employment by far during the recovery with nearly 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

Pic by Jason Ransom