Chinese community benefits from infrastructure program

[CAWED]

NOVEMBER 27, 1998

_CHINESE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM_

_VANCOUVER, B.C. – A new theatre will give members of
Vancouver’s Chinese community a greater opportunity to promote
and preserve their culture and participate in Canadian society. _

_The Chinese Cultural Centre of Vancouver_ will receive $250,000 under
the _Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Works Program_ to
construct a presentation theatre as part of its new $1 million
cultural facility. The new centre will do much to promote the
preservation, awareness and historical significance of the Chinese
community in the Lower Mainland. The theatre will seat 200 and will be
used for activities such as symposiums, debates, lectures, stage
performances and educational programs.

"Investment in facilities such like the Chinese Cultural Centre
strengthens and enriches the Chinese Canadian community, and that
benefits the entire city of Vancouver," said _Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
MLA and Minister of Municipal Affairs Jenny Kwan_. "That is why
investment in community projects such as these is an integral part of
the Infrastructure Works program."

"I’m so pleased to be able to announce this funding on the 25th
anniversary of the Chinese Cultural Centre," said _MP for
Vancouver-Kingsway Sophia Leung_, on behalf of _Ron J. Duhamel,
Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification_ and minister
responsible for implementation of the infrastructure program in
Western Canada. "The importance of facilities like these to our
communities cannot be overstated. They play an important social and
economic role in rejuvenating and revitalizing the local Chinese
Canadian community and add to the diversity of Canada."

"The Chinese community will benefit greatly from this theatre," said
_Angela Kan, Executive Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre_. "It
will enrich the community’s cultural life and allow for
educational and cultural exchanges. It will also enhance local
prosperity by attracting tourists to the area."

_Phase 1 of the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Works Program_
funded over 400 projects valued at $675 million and created more than
9,000 jobs.

A top-up to the program was announced in April 1997 and combines
contributions from the federal and provincial governments and local
partners for a total of more than $150 million. To date, $130 million
of the top-up funding has been invested in 190 projects creating more
than 1,800 jobs. The program is coordinated by the _Ministry of
Employment and Investment_ as part of the provincial government’s
three-year plan to create jobs, reduce taxes and cut red tape.

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February
1997 budget and is therefore built into the existing framework. This
announcement is an example of how the federal government is
prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by
making efficient use of their tax dollars.