The 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017 – A Matter of the Heart!

Raising awareness of Canadian diversity through youth engagement

October 13, 2016 – Montréal – Department of Canadian Heritage

Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth) and Member of Parliament (Vaudreuil–Soulanges), today announced funding of $148,460 to the organization Apathy is Boring for its pan-Canadian Signature project, 150 Years Young. Mr. Schiefke made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

The Government of Canada is providing this support through the Canada 150 Fund. As part of its project, Apathy is Boring will launch a national call to young Canadians to submit photos showing their civic engagement and volunteer work. Photos from all across the country will be posted on a Web page dedicated to the 150 Years Young project, with the hashtag #150yy. The photos will also be projected outdoors at historical and cultural sites throughout the country to help make young people aware of Canada’s diversity. Finally, a call to action will invite youth to engage with a cause that matters to them in 2017.

The 150th anniversary of Confederation gives Canadians the opportunity to get involved in their communities and to celebrate our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our country’s place in the world.

To make 2017 a year that all Canadians will remember, the Government of Canada will continue to invest in Canada-wide, regional and local projects to raise awareness and invite Canadians to participate in the many activities that will take place throughout the year.
Quotes

“Thanks to the pan-Canadian Signature project 150 Years Young, Canadians can discover the country’s diversity through the eyes of young people. The 150th anniversary of Confederation is an excellent opportunity for the next generation to share their optimistic outlook and show their engagement to our country. In 2017, choose your cause and speak from your heart!”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“Young people will have an opportunity to make Canadians aware of our country’s diversity by showing their engagement. I invite everyone to celebrate the 150th anniversary and discover how young people are contributing to our communities.”

—Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth) and Member of Parliament (Vaudreuil–Soulanges)

“We are very happy to have been chosen as one of the Signature projects for Canada’s 150th anniversary, and we are proud that our ‘for-youth, by-youth’ approach will be included in the activities planned for 2017. Together with our community partners, we will celebrate the contribution of our peers and help them to see themselves as agents of change, leaving a substantial legacy for our country.”

—Caro Loutfi, Executive Director, Apathy is Boring

Quick Facts

• Apathy is Boring is a charitable organization, led by young people, that uses art and technology to educate youth about democracy. The organization’s goal is to increase voter turnout among youth, promote their involvement in their community and establish an ongoing dialogue between young people and decision makers.
• The countdown has begun—there are less than 100 days left until the official start of celebrations for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation.
• We invite all Canadians to take part in countdown activities—in person and on social media with the hashtag #Canada150.
• The main themes of the Government of Canada’s vision for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusiveness, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the environment and youth.
• The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015. It has an overall budget of $210 million.
• Through the fund, the Government of Canada will continue to make strategic investments in activities that support the vision of the 150^th anniversary and encourage Canadians to participate directly.

Associated Links

Canada 150

Canada 150 Fund

Apathy is Boring

For more information (media only), please contact:

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

NT5