Dear Minister MacKay,

I would like to start by congratulating you on your appointment as Minister responsible for ACOA, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As you know, I was the Conservative candidate for the riding of Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor during the recent federal election. When I was asked during a debate in Bonavista what I thought of the Garrick Theatre's efforts to secure ACOA funding to complete the theatre's renovation, I said I would be more than happy to lend my support to the project if elected to Parliament. Although I was not elected, I maintain that the Garrick Theatre project is the very kind of project that deserves assistance in getting off the ground.

This project will build significantly on the all-important tourism potential of a region that faces great economic challenges.

The Garrick would complement, rather than compete with, other nearby tourist attractions. It would create new economic potential, rather than simply shifting it from one business or community to another.

The Garrick will also offer quality, year-round, entertainment and generate consistent economic activity that would help stabilize a largely seasonal economy.

Moreover, the appealing architecture and location of this theatre in the heart of Bonavista's historic town centre will create momentum for the revitalization of the entire core of the town.

In sum, I believe the Garrick Theatre project will yield immense social and economic value for the entire town of Bonavista.

As a final note, I should point out that the Garrick has already received partial funding for its exterior restoration. The public money invested in this project to date will be essentially lost if the project cannot be brought to fruition.

I appeal to your economic reason and your social compassion, and respectfully ask you to take any measures that are appropriate in your capacity as ACOA Minister to ensure that the Garrick Theatre project is funded to completion. Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,
Aaron Hynes
Ottawa
aaron.hynes@nf.sympatico.ca

cc:
Hon. Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Hon. Danny Williams, Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
Hon. Tom Hedderson, Minister, Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Scott Simms, M.P., Bonavista Gander Grand Falls-Windsor
Roger Fitzgerald, M.H.A., Bonavista South
Paul Mills, Vice-President (Newfoundland and Labrador), ACOA
Mayor Betty Fitzgerald, Town of Bonavista

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