Vancouver and Beyond

by Rick Cropp and, Barbara Braidwood
The Province

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Have you ever thought about owning a piece of waterfront property in Mexico or retiring there? The Canada2Mexico Retirement Seminar (www.canada2mexico.com) will save you hours of Internet research and answer the hundreds of questions you may have.

Subjects include the many options and benefits of buying real estate in Mexico for holidays or retirement, whether it is best to buy or rent, the pros and cons of coastal or inland lifestyles, medical and healthcare costs, documents and immigration, banking, cost of living and info on the treaties between Mexico and Canada that cover pensions, taxation and investment.

The event takes place on Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre.

In addition to the seminar, there is a free lifestyles exhibition where you can find people willing to answer specific questions. The seminar tickets start at $98 for a single ($120 at the door) to $185 for couples.

Mountain pampering

Head to Whistler this fall to relax and recharge. Indulge with Whistler Spa Escapes until Oct. 31 and take advantage of the Fall Spa Specials offered by nine participating spas. Plus, if you pay for your spa treatments with your Visa, you can get added savings.

For example, the Avello Spa and Health Club at The Westin Resort and Spa is offering a Fall Spa Special of 25 per cent off selected spa treatments. Pay with your Visa card when you indulge in an 80-minute massage and you’ll receive a complimentary Heavenly Milk Bath.

Have a look at www.whistler.com/ spa_escapes for details. Room rates start at $99 per night.

Famous house tour

The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles is exhibiting Between Heaven and Earth: The Architecture of John Lautner (1911-1994). Chances are you’ve seen one of his houses. At least two of them have been in numerous films. The most famous is the “Chemosphere,” which is a flattened sphere with wrap-around windows that stands high above a canyon on a single support.

The exhibit runs until Oct. 12. On that date there will also be a special tour of the 1963 Sheats/Golstein House. Tickets are $55 US.

See www.hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/139/ for details.

Britrail savings

You can save 20 per cent on a BritRail Consecutive Day Pass or a BritRail FlexiPass for travel between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28 when you buy it before Feb. 15. BritRail passes are not available in Britain and must be purchased before you leave home. Contact www.britrail.com or a travel agent.

Barbara Braidwood and Rick Cropp are Vancouver based-writers.

© The Vancouver Province 2008

Whistler ready for the world in 2010

Whistler, B.C. – With the Olympic flame extinguished in Beijing, the eyes of the world will now turn to Vancouver and Whistler as the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Winter Games, less than 18 months away.

And though it’s already known as one of the world’s top winter and summer resorts, Whistler – where more than half of the 2010 Winter Games medals will be won and awarded – is ready to give the thousands of visitors, athletes and officials an unforgettable shared experience, says Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler’s President & CEO.

“The energy and excitement surrounding the 2010 Games has been building in Whistler for years, but it took a noticeable jump during the Beijing Olympics, because we know we’re next,” says Fisher. “All the hard work and effort put in by the Whistler community: The Resort Municipality of Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, VANOC staff in Whistler, hotels, restaurants and other tourism operators, have put us in the position to walk onto the world stage confident that people who come here before and during the Games will have a memorable experience, immersed in the spirit and the pulse of the 2010 Winter Games in a beautiful mountain winter setting.”

Whistler’s three competition venues are complete: Whistler Creekside for alpine skiing events, the Whistler Sliding Centre for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton, and Whistler Olympic Park, for Nordic and cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping. Whistler Village’s pedestrian stroll, already lined with restaurants, cafes and pubs, will be dotted with six Live Sites, where thousands of people will gather each day and evening to watch Games events on large outdoor screens, and to take in free entertainment including bands, performing artists, and theatre. Medal presentations will be held at Celebration Plaza each evening. Most of the Paralympic Games events a month later are also held in Whistler.

“We know that people want to attend the events, but people also have a tremendous desire to be with each other and to celebrate with people from around the world. If people are in Whistler Village during the Games, they’ll be in the centre of the action as Whistler adds its own energy, spirit and history to the Olympic legend,” says Arlene Schieven, Tourism Whistler’s Vice President of Marketing. “And remember that throughout the Games period, more than 90 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb will remain open for skiing and snowboarding. Only a small part of the mountain will be affected by the events. As well, outside of the weeks leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games, the 2009/ 2010 season will be business as usual.”

For those who don’t want to wait until February 2010, there are many ways to get a taste of Whistler before the Games. Tours of the Whistler Sliding Centre (whistlerslidingcentre.com) go until August 31 this year, and will continue next summer. Self-guided tours of Whistler Olympic Park (whistlerolympicpark.com) go until September 1 this year, and continue next summer. Both tours provide a close-up and hands-on experience of what those events look like. Skiers and snowboarders can experience the Dave Murray Downhill at Whistler Creekside, where the alpine skiing events will be held.

Another reason to visit Whistler before the Games is the new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, opening in December 2008, which will stretch from the top of Whistler Mountain to the top of Blackcomb Mountain and travel a distance of 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in just 11 minutes. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be the longest, highest gondola of its type in the world and will let skiers and snowboarders easily move around to access the best weather and conditions on any given day at Whistler Blackcomb. It will run in summer too, giving visitors breathtaking alpine views.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – opened 2008
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – where mountains, rivers and people meet – embodies the spirit of partnership between two First Nations and their shared values of preserving and sharing our traditional cultures.

The Centre is the first of its kind in Canada, showcasing two distinct cultures: the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. The Centre is a spectacular building located on traditional territory, nestled in a pristine forest and mountain setting. This magnificent venue, designed in the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (underground pit dwelling), houses a Great Hall, museum, theatre, the Squamish Lil’wat giftshop and café.

Whether viewing canoes of different styles from both Nations, discovering how cedar is harvested, learning Salish wool weaving or cedar weaving from accomplished artisans, watching a cultural performance, or viewing a series of films on the cultures, a visit to the Centre is designed to be an enriching and transformative experience.

Squamish and Lil’wat hosts will welcome guests as they approach on a walkway graced with pictograph-adorned boulders and enter through magnificent hand-carved cedar welcome figure doors. Once inside, massive spindle whorls, suspended canoes, intricate weavings and thundering drumming – with a spectacular backdrop of mountains seen through unobstructed glass – provide a truly dramatic setting. Future plans include a traditional Squamish Longhouse, the Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling with fire pit), outdoor barbeque facility and ethno-botanical gardens. The culturally rich program options and authentic arts add a new dimension to the Whistler experience.
Nita Lake Lodge – opened 2008
Perched on the shore of lovely Nita Lake, offering gorgeous views of surrounding mountains, lake and forest, the luxurious Nita Lake Lodge is steps away from Whistler Creekside, site of the alpine events of 2010 Winter Games. The 77-suite lodge features deluxe studio, one, two and three-bedroom suites. Exclusive private residences offer guests the intimacy of a high-end private chalet and the amenities of a luxury hotel. The lodge boasts a full-service spa, wellness centre and lakeside restaurant. The Lodge includes 4,000 square feet of meeting space, two function rooms and state-of-the-art technology for meetings and business functions.

The Whistler Sliding Centre — home to bobsleigh, luge and skeleton — and Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park — the venue for all 2010 Winter Games Nordic sports — are hosting public tours this summer.

The Whistler Sliding Centre
Beginning Thursday, July 3, The Whistler Sliding Centre on Blackcomb Mountain will be offering self-guided public walking tours Thursdays to Sundays until the end of August. Walking tours provide an opportunity for the public to learn about preparations for the 2010 Winter Games, as well as a glimpse of the venue and an understanding for the sliding sports of bobsleigh, luge and skeleton that will take place there.

High performance track

Nestled in the backyard playground of Whistler Village, the sliding track at The Whistler Sliding Centre is a new addition to the many adventure activities in the area. The track has been certified and approved by International Sport Federations for sliding training camps and Sport Events in the 2008-09 winter season. Post-Games, the facility will be operated by the Whistler Legacies Society as a centre for high performance development, youth and recreational sport programming, tourism (passenger rides and venue tours), and group and corporate events.

One of two sliding tracks in Canada, the Whistler sliding track will elevate the Canadian high-performance sport development program and increase participation specifically in the Sea to Sky corridor.

 It’s also an engineering marvel. This May, the BC Ready-Mixed Concrete Association presented the Century Award to VANOC and the project team for The Whistler Sliding Centre’s technically demanding and ultra-fast sliding track.

Fast facts: The Whistler Sliding Centre

The Whistler Sliding Centre is one of 15 international competition sliding tracks in the world and has the highest vertical drop of all (152 metres)
Track G-force is expected to reach 5.02 Gs (men’s luge)
In 2007-08, the track’s inaugural season, the highest speed reached was 147.9 kilometres per hour (four-man bobsleigh)
The track measures 1,450 metres from start to finish, with an elevation change of over 150 metres
350 tons of concrete were used to construct the track
A thin ice surface measuring between two and five centimetres is produced and maintained by hand
The track has 36 on-track cameras and 42 “timing eyes”
The track is designed to minimize refrigeration energy by using an ammonia refrigeration system. Ammonia is one of the most energy-efficient refrigerants, producing no chlorofluorocarbons (which contribute to ozone-layer depletion and global climate change)
Summer tours at The Whistler Sliding Centre
Canada Day special access on July 1, 2008

Following the Whistler Canada Day Parade, all parade participants and spectators are invited to visit: the venue is open from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
A shuttle service will run from the base of Blackcomb Mountain to the venue and return
Admission is by donation
Regular tour dates

Every Thursday to Sunday from July 3 to August 31, 2008

Hours of operation

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

General admission

$5 per person
Free for children 12 years old and under
$20 for a family of more than four
Admission includes:

Wheelchair accessible, self-guided walking tour of the track lower loop and finish stadium (some pathways are steep)
A brochure map (available in English and French) marking points of interest, including venue history, sport facts, events timeline and sustainability attributes
Access to the Track Lodge showcase of sport equipment, sport history, photos, venue history and more
Admission fees go towards pre-Games operations of The Whistler Sliding Centre tour program
 For more information, visit whistlerslidingcentre.com or call 604.964.2401.

Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park 
Another tour opportunity lies just 15 kilometres south of Whistler, at Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park, the home of biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park first opened its doors to recreational and competitive skiers during the 2007-08 winter season. Anyone who has yet to cruise through the stunning Callaghan Valley on cross-country skis will have many opportunities this summer to explore the trails and recreational facilities on foot with self-guided tours, guided tours or ski jump tours.

Fast facts: Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park

For the first time in Olympic Winter Games history, all four Nordic disciplines (biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping) are occurring at the same venue
Over 13 days of Olympic competition, athletes will compete for a total 24 Olympic medals at The Whistler Sliding Centre
The venue will host 30 per cent of the Olympic medal events and 50 per cent of the Paralympic medal events
Athletes will ski an average speed of about 25 kilometres per hour during cross-country ski races, reaching maximum speeds near 60 kilometres per hour
During the men’s 50-kilometre race, athletes will climb approximately 2,000 vertical metres (more than twice the vertical of the men’s alpine downhill course at Whistler Creekside).
The only snowmaking system at the venue is used for the ski jump landing hill
Summer tours at the Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park
Dates

Self-guided walking, wheelchair accessible, car or bike tours of Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park are now available during park hours. The venue is open seven days a week. Tour dates and times will vary.

Hours of Operation

Daily, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

General Admission

Tour fees vary depending on tour choice.

Self-Guided Tour

Free, self-guided tours are available seven days a week during park hours, allowing visitors to learn more about Nordic sports by visiting the biathlon, cross-country and ski jumping stadiums. Guests will be given a map that will lead them through the venue by car or bike where they can snap a photo of the towering inukshuk or enjoy a picnic in the breathtaking Callaghan Valley. No pre-booking required.

Guided Tour

For groups of 10 or more, guided tours through the venue provide detailed information about the Nordic sports and the role of the venue during the 2010 Winter Games. Guided tours must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. Transportation during the tour is not provided.

Groups of 10 to 22 people: $150 plus GST
Groups of 23 or more: $300 plus GST
Ski Jump Tour

Available on Saturdays and Sundays only, starting July 5, 2008, the ski jump tour is a glimpse of the venue from the athlete’s perspective. This tour includes a ride on the chairlift to the top of the large hill, an opportunity to learn about ski jumping and a unique view of the beautiful Callaghan Valley. No pre-booking required.

General admission: $12 plus GST
Group rate (10 or more): $10 plus GST
Free for children 12 years of age and under
Entry for drivers/tour company guide is complimentary
Guided venue tours and ski jump tours can be combined at a 25 per cent discount.
For more information, or to book a guided tour, visit whistlerolympicpark.com or call 604.964.2455 or 1.877.764.2455.

Community invited to learn about venues and sports

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced that The Whistler Sliding Centre will open its doors for tours this summer, providing the public with the first opportunity to personally touch and feel one of the 2010 Winter Games venues. Located on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler BC, The Whistler Sliding Centre will be home to bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions in 2010. It is one of only 15 international competition sliding tracks in the world, and one of four in North America.

Whistler Olympic Park will also host tours this summer, offering members of the public the opportunity to explore the trails and recreational facilities that make up the venue, and a first-hand look at one of the world’s most sophisticated ski jumps. During the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler Olympic Park will be home to biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. Located 15 kilometres south of Whistler, the facility opened its doors to both recreational and competitive skiers during the 2007-08 winter season.

“Tours are a great opportunity for the public to get a first-hand look at some of the most spectacular facilities of the Games and to learn about the sports they will host,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC executive vice president, sport and Games operations. “Visitors will leave with a great sense of anticipation for the thrilling competitions that will take place there this winter, and in 2010. This is also a great chance for residents to familiarize themselves with the world-class facilities that are now in their own backyard, and what will be an important part of their community for years to come.”

Canadian athletes who have driven The Whistler Sliding Centre track have said it is one of the fastest and most challenging in the world. After participating in the christening of the track in December 2007, Pierre Lueders, four-time Olympian, and the most decorated slider in Canadian history, noted: “It’s definitely the fastest track in the world and that’s what makes it so difficult.” Canadian skeleton racer Michelle Kelly agreed, stating, “It’s an exciting track and what’s hard about it is that it has crazy speed, but any loss of concentration and you can get in trouble because it is technical as well.” Over 13 days of Olympic competition, athletes will compete for a total 24 Olympic medals at The Whistler Sliding Centre.

Self-guided walking tours of The Whistler Sliding Centre will begin on July 3 and continue until the end of August. Admission for these tours is $5.

Beginning June 15, free, self-guided walking, car or bike tours of Whistler Olympic Park will be available during park hours. Visitors interested in guided tours or tours of the ski jumps, however, must book in advance at www.whistlerolympicpark.com or by calling 604.964.2455. Admission fees for guided tours of Whistler Olympic Park will vary depending on tour choice. Proceeds from the tours will be directed towards general administration and overhead relating specifically to the summer 2008 venue tour programs. Both The Whistler Sliding Centre and Whistler Olympic Park are wheelchair accessible.

After the 2010 Winter Games, The Whistler Sliding Centre and Whistler Olympic Park will provide sport and recreation legacies as well as economic opportunities under the direction of the Whistler Legacies Society.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
QUICK FACTS

The Whistler Sliding Centre

One of only 15 international competition sliding tracks in the world
Highest vertical drop of any track in the world: 152 metres
Track G-force is expected to reach 5.02 Gs (men’s luge)
Highest speed reached in inaugural 2007-08 season: 147.9 kilometres per hour (four-man bobsleigh)
A thin ice surface measuring between two and five centimetres is produced and maintained by hand
The track measures 1,450 metres from start to finish, with an elevation change of over 150 metres
350 tons of concrete were used to construct the track
The track has 36 on-track cameras and 42 “timing eyes”
Energy-efficiency initiatives, designed to minimize refrigeration plant energy use, include an ammonia refrigeration system. Ammonia is one of the most energy-efficient refrigerants, producing no chlorofluorocarbons (which contribute to ozone-layer depletion and global climate change).

Whistler Olympic Park

First time in Olympic Winter Games history that all four Nordic disciplines (biathlon, ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country skiing) are occurring at the same venue
The only snowmaking system at the venue is for the ski jump landing hill
The venue has approximately five kilometres of paved rollerski trails and six kilometres of lit trails to enhance training opportunities
The venue will host 30 per cent of the Olympic medal events and 50 per cent of the Paralympic medal events
Athletes will ski an average speed of just under 25 kilometres per hour during cross-country ski races, reaching maximum speeds near 60 kilometres per hour
During the men’s 50-kilometre race, the athletes will climb approximately 2,000 vertical metres (more than twice the vertical of the men’s alpine downhill course at Whistler Creekside). The winning time for this race is expected to be approximately 2 hours, with an average speed of almost 25 kilometres per hour
Sustainability initiatives include an on-site waste water treatment plant to use leading technology (tertiary membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection) for high-quality discharge to local surface water. During Games-time, as with other outdoor venues, temporary wastewater collection infrastructure will be in place to accommodate high user numbers.
Contact

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

originally printed in Pique Newsmagazine
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One incredible huge “Thank You” goes out to Grant Lamont. A Chinese delegation of journalists came to Whistler last Friday. Representing Whistler for the Disabled, I was asked by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to hold a press conference for our honored guests visiting from China.

We started the press conference off by thanking them for visiting Whistler and Canada and introducing ourselves. We then told them how and why I created Whistler for the Disabled and accomplished so much on my own, without funding but with the passionate support of good friends dedicated to helping others out and supporting the Whistler and disabled communities.

Some of the items that were discussed and brought up in the hour-long press conference that I would like to share with everyone:

1. Inclusively and how important it is for people with disabilities to show what they can do.

2. Planning must incorporate people with disabilities into initial planning and not just in band-aids and hand-outs.

3. Spiritual value of the acceptance and inclusion and the healing value it has.

4. Transportation and access in a community and the many good things that Whistler is now trying to do.

5. Economic benefits with many people traveling to destinations that embrace and consider those with disabilities who they are with.

6. Why Whistler and Beijing, along with the rest of the world, need to make sure that there is follow through from the Games and not just let it ride once the spotlight is off.

They asked Grant how much he makes by helping me or if he is volunteering. Grant responded: “I am here as a friend and supporter. It is funny how our society has so much money for sports stadiums and ski jumps but little time for the things that really matter. Hopefully the work Hugh is doing can influence a small degree of change in these attitudes. I know it has with many and with one corporation already benefiting the Whistler Resort community and people with disabilities.”

The delegation thanked us for our time and efforts but were perplexed how one person could do so much with so little support.

They were honoured to meet us and we were honoured to meet them as well. They were all so respectful of everyone; it was nice to see.

Media coverage in China from just one of the journalist’s newspapers is more than 200 million people. There were seven journalists from China in attendance.

Grant Lamont was truly incredible in this press conference with such a large, important delegation. He was as professional as someone who was being paid six figures a year to host such an important information session — but he did it on his own time and expense.

A huge “Thank You” goes out to Grant for helping me out once again. You came through for our community and for the disabled like so many others have for me over the years, time and time again.

Hugh Tollett

Whistler for the Disabled

Vancouver / Whistler

WHISTLER, British Columbia, January 21, 2008 – On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Kootenay-Columbia), today celebrated with Ken Melamed, Mayor of Whistler, the city’s designation as a 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada.

“The Municipality of Whistler recognizes the role arts and culture play in improving citizens’ quality of life and improving economic development,” said Minister Verner. “The proposed activities will encourage stronger ties between cultural organizations, First Nations people, and citizens involved in the celebrations.”

“The Government of Canada is pleased to celebrate Whistler’s recognition with this prestigious award,” said Mr. Abbott. “The city’s designation as a 2009 Cultural Capital will allow those who live here to have enriching cultural experiences and will encourage visitors to visit the city. They will also get a taste of the activities which will be held in 2010 at the Live Sites and other venues where the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will take place.”

“Whistler is thrilled and honoured to be named a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2009,” said Whistler’s Mayor, Ken Melamed. “Though a young community, Whistler has enjoyed building its cultural identity. This designation and the funding for our program, Celebration 2020, strengthens the cultural aspects of our sustainability commitments. It also signifies the importance of arts, culture, and heritage in Whistler and in Canada, as we prepare to welcome the world in 2010 and beyond.”

The Cultural Capital of Canada designation is awarded for merit, as determined by the quality of a proposed project and earlier achievements by the candidate community that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture.

An independent advisory committee evaluated the candidate communities and made its recommendations to Minister Verner. The committee was composed of experts in the field of arts and culture and the mayors of the Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2007.

Funding is provided to support special projects that celebrate the arts and culture. Amounts vary according to the size of the municipality.

Municipalities with a population under 50 000, like Whistler, may be awarded up to $500,000. With this funding, Whistler will be able to launch the Celebration 2020: A Natural Step Towards Cultural Sustainability project, which will present different festivals and a number of innovative activities, including a professional-development workshop for artists in the region

The other Cultural Capitals for 2009 are Trois-Rivières, Quebec, in the greater than 125 000 population category; Coquitlam, British Columbia, in the between 50 000 and 125 000 population category; and Fredericton and Caraquet, New Brunswick, in the under 50 000 population category.

For more information on the projects proposed by the 2009 Cultural Capitals, the funding they will obtain, and the other municipalities that applied, please see the attached backgrounder.

The names of previous Cultural Capitals are posted on the Department of Canadian Heritage website at www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index_e.cfm

Information:

Domenic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and
Official Languages
819 997-7788

Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101

BACKGROUNDER

2009 CULTURAL CAPITALS

>Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Category: population over 125 000
Maximum contribution: $2,000,000

On the occasion of its 375th anniversary, Trois-Rivières is planning an ambitious program that includes a number of celebrations and cultural activities. In line with the City’s cultural policy, the project, “Trois-Rivières, ville d’histoire et de culture: 1634-2009″ (Trois-Rivières, City of History and Culture, 1634-2009), recognizes the role that culture plays in affirming identity and the quality of life of citizens, as well as in the economic development of thismunicipality. The project also maintains that access to culture is a basic right of the city’s residents. The proposed programming will foster increased resident participation through activities such as neighbourhood celebrations, a commemorative performance, and the Accès scène et musée (Access to Stage and Museum) project, which will involve a host of professional and emerging artists. Finally, the project will help to build partnerships with target groups, such as First Nations and cultural communities, in keeping with the municipality’s aim of promoting cultural inclusiveness.

Coquitlam, British Columbia

Category: population between 50 000 and 125 000
Maximum contribution: $750,000

Maintaining a long tradition of cooperation with cultural organizations, the City of Coquitlam proposed a project developed through community participation. The City has developed close ties with arts and cultural organizations and is distinguished by the support and recognition that it gives to its Francophone heritage and its diverse cultural communities. The Intercultural Celebrations: Past, Present and Future project makes use of public consultations and a partnership with the local First Nation. This project is a perfect example of the role that a municipality can play in stimulating cultural development and a feeling of belonging among all residents.

Coquitlam recognizes the important contribution of culture to community identity, quality of life, and economic development. Its cultural strategy supports community cultural groups, while integrating culture into municipal planning and development of the community, the economy, and tourism. As a Cultural Capital, Coquitlam will be able to achieve its goals: to plan and develop a vibrant culture in its community, to strengthen its partnerships with cultural groups, and to re-establish its role as a centre of cultural activity.

Whistler, British Columbia

Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution: $500,000

Whistler is planning a project that shows its commitment to culture and supports a wide range of arts and cultural activities. While involving First Nations, the Francophone community, and young residents, the project will also encourage professional artists, budding creators, and members of the public to participate in the scheduled celebrations, workshops, and activities.

Both ambitious and original, its project, Celebration 2020: A Natural Step Towards Cultural Sustainability, benefits from the staunch support of many parties. It is also important to highlight the integration of ecology and the environment in the project, as well as the use of non-traditional sites to hold festivals. By integrating a number of activities already in place, Whistler is providing a legacy that will benefit the community by encouraging development of the arts and culture, intercultural awareness, participation of artists with disabilities, lasting ties, and growth in tourism.

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution: $500,000

Fredericton’s cultural policy highlights the city’s three founding cultures and recognizes the role played by culture in affirming community identity, social cohesion, and economic development. In line with this policy, Fredericton is planning a wide variety of programming with no fewer than 16 different activities. Its project, Exposing Our Culture, makes use of the community’s historical features and artistic traditions and calls for the participation of various cultural partners. The public art and artists-in-residence programs and the celebratory activities will promote a greater presence for art in public areas and increased participation of residents. The proposal gives particular attention to young people, First Nations people, and Francophones.

Fredericton’s project will create a lasting legacy by fostering the community’s cultural growth and involving cultural groups. It will also encourage the participation of Francophones and First Nations people in promoting valuable exchanges.

Caraquet, New Brunswick

Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution: $500,000

The Town of Caraquet’s proposal is ambitious and proposes activities to attract a large audience drawn from many of the communities on the Acadian Peninsula. While stressing its Acadian heritage, Caraquet will support various forms of art, including poetry, performing and visual arts, film, and theatre. Its project, “Caraquet, ville lumière 2009″ (Caraquet, 2009 City of Light), demonstrates an impressive commitment to culture and growing financial support for the arts and cultural sector–support far above the per-resident average for communities in this category.

Caraquet has made great efforts to develop and implement policies that link economic growth and cultural tourism. These projects are a source of pride for the community and contribute to its vitality. This is the second time that Caraquet has been designated a Cultural Capital; the first was in 2003.

BACKGROUNDER

Candidate Communities for Cultural Capitals of Canada 2009

Over 125 000 population

Kitchener, Ontario
Saguenay, Quebec
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
50 000 to 125 000 population

Coquitlam, British Columbia
Guelph, Ontario
Lethbridge, Alberta
Red Deer, Alberta
Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec

Under 50 000 population

Caraquet, New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Victoria County, Nova Scotia
Whistler, British Columbia