The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is calling on the Federal Government to respond to a long-standing request for a financial commitment to support plans to mark the 400^th anniversary of Cupids in 2010.

Minister Jackman has written both, the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Newfoundland and Labrador�s representative in the federal Cabinet, and Avalon MP Fabian Manning to impress upon them the urgency of receiving a federal response so that important planning timelines can be met.

"Cupids, founded by John Guy in 1610, is the site of the first English colony established in Canada," the minister said. "We would expect our Federal Government, and this province�s federal representatives, to recognize the historical significance of this anniversary and the critical need to move forward with planning so that the Town of Cupids, the region, and the province can take every advantage of this milestone event and the long-term economic benefits this unique opportunity presents."

The Provincial Government has committed more than $2 million to date and has worked closely with Cupids400 Inc. on its request for about $7 million from the Federal Government. In addition to the celebration events, there are plans to construct a world-class interpretation centre to explain the provincial, national and international significance of Cupids � and to house the more than 110,000 artifacts uncovered since archeologist Bill Gilbert discovered the site of the original Guy Plantation in 1995.

"Our commitment to this event has always been very clear," the minister said. "To ask that the Federal Government articulate its commitment at this time is not unreasonable by any stretch of the imagination."

Minister Jackman noted the Cupids400 Inc. request is far less than the $110 million in federal funding provided to Quebec City to support the 400^th anniversary of that settlement � the first French colony established in Canada.

"We wish our friends in Quebec City the very best with their 400^th anniversary celebrations," Minister Jackman said. "We expect, however, that the Federal Government will also afford Newfoundland and Labrador the opportunity to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of Cupids in a manner which befits its rightful place as the birthplace of English Canada."

The events around the 2010 celebrations in Cupids are projected to inject $15 million into the provincial economy and provide long-term tourism-related benefits to the town and the region.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca