CFMT-TV is Canada’s first multilingual and multicultural television system. Its pioneer programming seeks to strengthen understanding and respect between Canadians and to project Canada’s cultural riches to international audiences and markets.

"The National Archives aims to develop new partnerships to promote awareness and knowledge of Canada’s past, and to ensure that Canada’s documentary heritage properly reflects the diverse nature of our society," says National Archivist Ian Wilson. "Our partnership with CFMT is a model example of how we are working towards these goals."

"CFMT-TV is honoured to contribute broadcast documentation of the Canadian ethnocultural perspective," says Madeline Ziniak, Vice-President and Executive Producer. "We are pleased to make these examples of diversity television available to the public, as important manifestations of our identity."

Under the terms of the new partnership the National Archives will acquire and provide a permanent home for a selection of CFMT’s best productions. They will be preserved in state-of-the-art formats so they continue to be available to future generations of researchers and the general public.

The ceremony and reception, open to members of the media, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. in the main lobby of the National Archives, 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa. The occasion will be jointly hosted by National Archivist Ian Wilson and CFMT representatives Leslie Sole, Executive Vice-President and Madeline Ziniak, Vice-President and Executive Producer. A compilation tape of the programs being donated to the National Archives will be screened and representatives of both organizations will be available for interviews.

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For more information:

Pauline Portelance
Media Relations Officer
Telephone: (613) 996-6128
E-mail: media@lac-bac.gc.ca