THETFORD MINES, QC, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadians from across the country will have the opportunity to visit the Prince Joyau exhibition of the Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, Minister of State (Agriculture), and Member of Parliament (Mégantic-L'Érable), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
The funding will enable the museum to send its Prince Joyau exhibition—which deals with minerals from the Thetford Mines mining region—on tour from October 2012 to March 2015. This contribution will also allow the museum to prepare transportation crates, an educational guide, and an assembly and dismantling guide.
"This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous, and free country we are today."
"The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in the Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines, which year after year provides residents of the Chaudière-Appalaches region with an opportunity to demonstrate their skill and expertise to the rest of Canada," said Minister Paradis. "This project will also ensure that the region will retain jobs."
"Thanks to this significant financial support, we can move forward and give nine Canadian museums confirmation that they will be able to host this major exhibition on the beautiful crystals associated with Canadian chrysotile mines," said François Cinq-Mars, Director of the Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines. "The Government of Canada's support is essential to allowing Canadians to discover their rich geological and mineralogical heritage."
The Musée minéralogique et minier de Thetford Mines was founded in 1976 by a mineral collectors' organization. This scientific museum focuses on the geology of the Appalachians and the development of the Thetford Mines mining region. It promotes access to earth sciences and to scientific and technological knowledge related to mining.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $86,014 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Éric Amyot
Director, Regional Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514-283-4027
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]
(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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