NLIS 2 
September 27, 2001
(Executive Council)
 

St. John's to host the Juno Awards

Premier Roger Grimes, federal Industry Minister Brian Tobin, and Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, joined their colleague Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, at a news conference today to announce that the 2002 Juno Awards will be held in St. John's. Also participating in the announcement was Ross Reynolds, chairperson of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).

"This is a spectacular day for the music industry in this province. It is also a very significant day for the culture and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier Grimes. "Music remains one of the most substantial examples of artistic expression in this province. Our oral traditions of storytelling have passed from generation to generation through music and song. Hosting this showcase of Canadian culture and music demonstrates that we have reached a national calibre for both the talent we are proud to promote and share with Canada and the world, and the capacity to host the event." 

"The Juno awards will bring hundreds of visitors to St. John's including more than 500 artists and music industry people. In addition, the national broadcast of the actual awards show will reach a national audience numbering in the hundreds of thousands. That kind of exposure offers substantial benefits to province's tourism industry," said Minister Tobin. "I want to invite the people of Canada to join us, here in St. John's, Newfoundland in April 2002, to celebrate Canadian music and to confirm, once again, this country's appreciation of, and gratitude to, the artists in our country."

"Canadian music embodies the creativity and spirit of all Canadians," said Minister Copps. "Through music we give expression to our values and to our identity in the world as Canadians. From the pioneers of Canadian music such as Joni Mitchell, the Guess Who and Gordon Lightfoot to a new generation of Canadian musicians like Nelly Furtado, Jimmy Rankin and Great Big Sea, Canada continues to produce artists that strengthen our culture and our quality of life." 

"While the Junos honour the extraordinary creativity of Canada's musical talent, the awards also recognise our broad cultural and geographic diversity," said CARAS chairman, Ross Reynolds. "The Junos have been celebrated in the west and in central Canada. CARAS, the not-for-profit organization behind the Junos, is pleased that we can now share the excitement with the fans in Newfoundland. We are also looking forward to the famous Newfoundland hospitality."

The Junos will be a two-night event including the Premier's Gala and awards on Saturday April 13, with the awards show airing to an international audience on Sunday, April 14. There will also be a three-day music festival preceding the awards show in various locations around St. John's featuring local talent and artists from other parts of Atlantic Canada.

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960
                       Catherina Kennedy, Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928
                       Heidi Bonnell, Industry Canada, (613) 995-9001
                       Joseph Kira, Communications, Canadian Heritage, (819) 997-7788
                       Daisy Falle, CARAS, (416) 485-3135

2001 09 27                                     10:20 a.m.