Canadian Film Centre Gets Beautifying Boost

^[1]Extensive upgrades to the Canadian Film Centre ^[1]‘s (CFC) Windfields campus are one step closer to reality today, as federal, provincial and municipal representatives joined Centre staff to celebrate the construction of the Northern Dancer Pavilion, which will allow the Centre to expand its film, television, digital media, screen acting and music program activities and will provide additional event space for the Centre and surrounding community. The project also involves renovating seven heritage buildings at the Centre, and is helping to improve cultural infrastructure and create local jobs in Toronto.

“Every day arts and culture organizations act as economic drivers – creating an industry that supports jobs, generates revenue, and is the cornerstone of our tourism industry. The Canadian Film Centre is a cultural powerhouse that promotes Canadian talent in film, television and new media,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Halton. “Our government is proud to have invested in a project that helps to support our economy by showcasing Canadian art and culture.”

“The film, television and new media industries play fundamental roles in strengthening Ontario’s cultural landscape,” said the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario and Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley West. “The construction of the Northern Dancer Pavilion will support our talented workforce while improving infrastructure, creating jobs and helping people with their everyday lives.”

“The Windfields Campus Improvement Project is now in its final stretch,” said Slawko Klymkiw, CEO of the CFC. “Today’s groundbreaking is proof positive that the Northern Dancer Pavilion is moving from dream to reality and will be a vital hub of creative activity, harmonizing CFC’s programming and providing synergy between disciplines.”

The governments of Canada and Ontario each contributed up to $3.25 million toward the eligible project costs through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The City of Toronto invested $1 million and CFC provided the remaining $1.5 million toward the total eligible project cost, bringing the total investment to $9 million.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 910,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada’s infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.

This investment also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $85 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario’s economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.

Celebrating 25 years, CFC accelerates the careers of the brightest talent in film, television, screen acting, music and digital media. A charitable organization, CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada’s diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities, industry collaborations and creative partnerships for top creative content leaders. CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country’s most creative ideas and voices to the world.