Tourism, Culture and Recreation
April 22, 2010The following
statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable
Terry French,Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation:
JUNO Week Showcases
Local Talent, Hospitality
This past weekend, Newfoundland and
Labrador and the City of St. John's, hosted the 39th annual JUNO Awards,
a celebration of this country's extraordinary musical talent — and also
a celebration of our capital city and our province as a whole.
The event was not without its challenges
— but Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are well known for rising above a
little adversity. We can look back now and know that all involved did a
fantastic job of making this event an incredible experience for the
artists involved, and for music fans in Newfoundland and Labrador and
throughout Canada.
The Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador invested more than $1 million into the JUNOs, and we anticipate
a short-term return on investment of about $10 million in terms of
economic activity generated. The national exposure we received,
including the opportunity to showcase 260 local artists, will also bring
long-term benefits to the province — particularly in terms of
highlighting Newfoundland and Labrador's vibrant cultural scene, an
important sector to which this government has contributed over $28
million since the launch of our cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland
and Labrador in 2006.
But what struck me most during the
weekend was how a little fog and damp weather could not discourage
people from having a good time — and for showing our visitors a good
time. JUNOs on George was a great success. For the first time in JUNO
history, the show was broadcast simultaneously at an outside venue,
allowing even more people to be part of the JUNO excitement. Thanks to
Kim Stockwood and Damhnait Doyle for doing such a great job hosting.
Special congratulations are extended to
local singer and songwriter, Amelia Curran, for winning a JUNO for Roots
and Traditional Recording of the Year for her album, Hunter Hunter. It
was great to see a local artist receive national recognition.
I also ask my colleagues to join me in
congratulating Ken Marshall, Chair of the JUNO Host Committee, and all
of the staff and volunteers who made Ruckus on the Edge such a rich and
diverse celebration of music in the week leading up to the JUNOs. It was
an amazing week, and all the hard work certainly paid off.
Thanks to them — and thanks to the people
of St. John's — for once again showing that this city, and this
province, has what it takes to host a world-class event.
2010 04 22
1:45 p.m.
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