Senator Donald Oliver

The Honourable Donald H. Oliver, Q.C.

Senator in the Senate of Canada

Acadia Cinema

The Acadia Cinema Cooperative Ltd.

Innovative Communities Fund (ICF)

Acadia Cinema's Al Whittle Theatre

450 Main Street

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Monday, August 17, 2009

Thank you, Mr. Zimmerman.

Good afternoon Minister Jennex, Mayor Stead, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Distingués invites, Mesdames et Messieurs, bonjour.

I am pleased to join you here today on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, to announce a Government of Canada investment in the enhancement of cultural tourism in Wolfville and surrounding communities.

Cultural tourism is a sector that is experiencing tremendous growth in Nova Scotia and around the world.

In Wolfville, the Acadia Cinema has played a leading role as a cultural institution for nearly a century.

In 1911, as the Wolfville Opera House and then as the Orpheum Theatre, this venue showcased the artistic talent that flourished then and still flourishes in our region. 

In 1947, as the Acadia Cinema, it hosted the likes of Bing Crosby and Doris Day - on the big screen that is - and gave the community a family-friendly gathering place.

[Today, the Acadia Cinema remains a staple of this community's cultural infrastructure-and a treat for visitors exploring the area.]

It is with great pleasure that I underline the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthening rural communities by announcing an investment of more than $72,000 in the Acadia Cinema- a contribution from ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund. 

Through this investment, the capabilities of the Acadia Cinema will expand and operating costs will be reduced.  This will be achieved by enhancements including: adding insulation to the building's shell; the purchase of a digital projector and sound and lighting equipment for the Al Whittle Theatre, and; soft seating for the intimate, 35-seat venue, the Little Whittle.

What you can see from these upgrades is that Acadia Cinema is not a typical cinema.

It is much, much more...

Qu'il s'agisse des spectacles animés et entraînants des musiciens et danseurs locaux ou encore des projections de films et des rencontres littéraires toujours aussi populaires, le Acadia Cinema sait vraiment satisfaire tous les publics.

[From the toe-tapping, hip-slapping performances of local musicians and dancers to the always popular film screenings and literary readings, the Acadia Cinema truly has something for every audience.]

Like Wolfville itself is for Nova Scotia- attracting visitors to experience the nearby Bay of Fundy, the historic architecture, and the many cultural attractions - the Acadia Cinema is a true draw for this community. 

Increasingly, communities are coming to understand that cultural resources are also economic resources. 

Visitors drawn by the area's breathtaking beauty are discovering the region's diverse culture and heritage- through treasures like Acadia Cinema.

Canada's Government has a plan to continue to assist Canadians through these challenging times.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides focused and targeted action.

We are engaging in smart stimulus spending that creates jobs that includes unprecedented new investments in roads, bridges, and transit projects as well as a major new tax credit to encourage Canadians to invest in renovating their homes.

[PAUSE]

Nous sommes tous solidaires et travaillons ensemble à l'atteinte d'un objectif commun, c'est-à-dire l'amélioration de la capacité économique globale de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

[We're are all in this together-working towards a common goal to improve the overall economic capacity of Nova Scotia.]

And that's why since taking office in February of 2006, we have announced 1,164 projects through ACOA... projects worth more than $851 million... that are designed to strengthen our communities, encourage business growth and create more and better-paying jobs for Atlantic Canadians.

Our Government  recognizes that projects such as this one in Wolfville are crucial to the economic, social and cultural well being of Atlantic Canadian communities-particularly those in rural areas.

This project is a great example of the kind of community vitality needed to attract and sustain development.

And it proves that by working together, we can accomplish a great deal.

Je me réjouis à l'idée de constater ce que notre partenariat constant nous permettra d'accomplir pour cette région.

[Our Government is a firm believer that a lot can be accomplished for this province through partnership.]

Speaking of partnership, I'd like to extend a thank you to the other funding partners-the Town of Wolfville, and the Wolfville Business Development Corporation and of course the Acadia Cinema itself -its board members, shareholders and volunteers.

Congratulations.

Je me réjouis à l'idée de constater ce que notre partenariat constant nous permettra d'accomplir pour cette région.

[I look forward to seeing what our ongoing partnership will accomplish for this region.]

Thank you, Merci.