150Alliance welcomes Federal Budget investment in Canada's 150th

OTTAWA, April 21, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Today's federal budget is good news for the thousands of local and national organizations gearing up to mark the 150^th 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 scope of projects already underway is incredible:

• Sesqui (www.sesqui.ca), a multimedia traveling roadshow that will bring geodesic dome theatres to large and small communities from coast to coast to coast;
• The 4Rs Youth Movement, a youth-led initiative that focuses on connecting indigenous and non-indigenous young people in Canada; and
• The Canadian Mosaic Project, a one-man vision championed by Tim Van Horn, a photojournalist who has already travelled across the country and captured 65,000 photos of Canadians for his breathtaking mosaic.

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.

SOURCE 150Alliance

Skana Gee, Media relations coordinator, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]