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INVITING NEW CITIZENS TO EXPLORE MANITOBA WITH THE CULTURAL ACCESS PASS
THE INSTITUTE FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP BRINGS ITS UNIQUE PROGRAM TO MANITOBA WINNIPEG, MB - May 10, 2012 - In celebration of Manitoba Day, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) officially launched its unique Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program in Manitoba at a special event at the Manitoba Legislature, adding 12 attractions to its roster such as the Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg Art Gallery and La Maison Gabrielle-Roy (full list below). From coast-to-coast, CAP provides new Canadian citizens, and their children, a year of free access to more than 1,000 Canadian attractions from museums and historic sites to national and provincial parks. The Cultural Access Pass program introduces our countrys newest citizens to Canadian experiences, even offering access to volunteer and employment resources. "The Manitoba Museum is pleased to join the Cultural Access Pass program, providing new Canadian citizens with unrestricted access to Manitoba's rich human and natural history, said Claudette Leclerc, Executive Director of The Manitoba Museum. CAP complements the Museum's existing Call it Home program which promotes inclusion while educating newcomers about Manitoba, their new home." Stephen Borys, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) agrees: "I see no better way to welcome new Canadian citizens and stay true to our mandate, than through the Cultural Access Pass program. WAG is a place for cultural expression, inspiring new ideas, experiences and dialogue through art. Were proud to be a partner in this important initiative." According to Statistics Canada, record numbers of people from all over the world are immigrating to Manitobas vibrant communities. Manitoba is welcoming and culturally diverse, an excellent place for new citizens to call home, said Gillian Hewitt Smith, Executive Director and CEO, Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Were thrilled with the opportunity to place our Cultural Access Pass into their hands, opening doors to Manitobas compelling cultural experiences and fostering a sense of belonging for Canadas newest citizens. With plans underway to continue CAPs Manitoba expansion, the ICC is proud to list the following Manitoba attractions in its CAP roster: Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, La Maison Gabrielle-Roy, Manitoba Agricultural Museum, Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, River Road Provincial Heritage Park, St. Boniface Museum, St. Norbert Art Centre, St. Norbert Provincial Heritage Park, The Manitoba Museum, Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. CAPs aim to include new citizens in all aspects of Canadian life is supported by Canadians on Citizenship, a national public opinion survey and recent ICC collaboration: 30% of Canadians, both native- and foreign-born, feel that one of the best ways to make new Canadian citizens feel like good citizens is to simply reach out and include them.

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ABOUT THE CULTURAL ACCESS PASS PROGRAM The Cultural Access Pass is introduced to every new Canadian citizen (approximately 170,000 a year) at the time of their citizenship ceremony. With an average of almost 100 registrations per day, more than 47,000 new citizens have registered and used CAP. As the diversity and value of CAP experiences increase, so too will the pace and rate of new registrations - this year alone, the ICC estimates an additional 35,000 new members! CAP is generously supported by the Canadian Museums Association and the RBC Foundation. Details about the Cultural Access Pass program, including a full list of participating attractions, can be found here: culturalaccesspass.ca. ABOUT THE ICC The Institute for Canadian Citizenship is a national, non-profit organization that engages Canadians in citizenship through innovative programs, campaigns and partnerships designed to ensure new citizens are welcomed and included as equals, to create meaningful connections among all Canadian citizens, to foster a culture of active, engaged citizens and to celebrate what it means to be Canadian. Our Building Citizenship program brings together new and established Canadians at community citizenship ceremonies; our Cultural Access Pass (CAP) offers new citizens the chance to visit more than 1,000 attractions across Canada for free for a full year from the time theyre sworn in; and our annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium fosters a debate on the future of citizenship and Canadas civic culture. The ICC was founded and is co-chaired by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul. The ICC is supported by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). For more information, visit icc-icc.ca. You can also follow us on Twitter (@ICCICC).

-30FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jess Duerden Institute for Canadian Citizenship (416) 593-6998 ext.225 jduerden@icc-icc.ca

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