The New Investment in the
GTA’s Cultural Infrastructure
May 31, 2002
The Prime Minister announced today an investment of up to $113.5 million
in the cultural infrastructure of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) under the
Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program.
With funds from the province of Ontario, this means that up to $232
million will be available to build and renew Toronto’s cultural
infrastructure.
We are delighted that, through the efforts of the Honourable David
Collenette and with the support of the Greater Toronto Area Caucus, we were
able to reach an agreement so promptly with the new government of
Ontario.
This is a great example of what governments can achieve by working
together for the benefit of their citizens.
This investment will help ensure that the Greater Toronto Area remains a
magnet for tourism and investment. It will sustain Toronto’s cultural
institutions, contribute to an improved quality of life and support
Toronto’s position as a modern, world-class city.
Here are the seven institutions targeted by the program and some of
the projects they have planned :
- The Royal Ontario Museum, to build a new signature building, and
add exhibition halls.
- The Canadian Opera Company, to build a 2,000-seat theatre that
will house the Company and the National Ballet of Canada, and improve media
capabilities.
- The Art Gallery of Ontario, to build a new gallery to house the
Thompson collection, and renovate existing galleries.
- The National Ballet School, to develop a former CBC property, add
a new training facility, renovate and refurbish some of its existing
facilities.
- The Royal Conservatory of Music, to create a Performance and
Learning Centre, build a 850-seat multi-purpose concert hall, and add four
floors of program space.
- The George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, to increase
exhibition space, and add a multi-purpose room with retractable seating for
educational programming.
- Roy Thompson Hall, to make improvements to the auditorium’s
acoustics, install the latest technologies in sound and lighting,
re-configure seating, and build a new lounge.
This is one of a series of matching federal and provincial investments to
improve the quality of life of Canadians through infrastructure investments
totalling more than $715 million to date in Ontario, including a recent $76
million federal investment in the Toronto Transit Commission.
This investment in cultural infrastructure complements the $500 million
investment we announced last year to encourage and foster cultural creation
across Canada.
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