FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2023

More newcomers will gain even more access to the best of Quebec and Canada through the enhanced Canoo Access Pass.

MONTREAL, QC — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is pleased to certify Montreal’s Danse Danse as a Canoo Newcomer Equity Partner. Newcomers who are members of the ICC’s Canoo Access Pass will now have multi-year access to heavily discounted premium seats to Danse Danse’s programming, starting with the 2023-2024 season in the heart of Montreal’s cultural centre – Place des Arts. 

A recent study by the ICC revealed that newcomers’ disillusionment with Canada is on the rise. Citizenship adoption rates have declined 40% since 2001, and 30% of newcomers under 30 plan to leave Canada within two years.

“Through the Canoo Access Pass, Danse Danse is actively restoring newcomers’ faith in Canada and Quebec, offering transformative, welcoming experiences that make our country easier to love and harder to leave,” says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the ICC. “As with every part of Canada, Quebec’s prosperity depends on newcomers not only coming, but staying, thriving and becoming proud citizens. Danse Danse and the rest of Canoo’s Newcomer Equity Partners are stepping up even more to provide this vital service for immigrants and for Canada over the long term.”

Newcomers who join Canoo will enjoy world-class contemporary dance performances, including shows from the iconic Kidd Pivot Company, under the direction of internationally-renowned Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite and the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies.

“Danse Danse has been partnered with the Canoo Access Pass since 2018 by offering free and highly reduced tickets to newcomers to encourage their participation in Montreal’s vibrant cultural life. Now, we want newcomers to have a heightened welcome by reserving Canoo tickets in the best seats, says Pierre Des Marais, Artistic and Executive Director of Danse Danse. “This initiative is part of our approach to accessibility and inclusion through various projects and partnerships. The challenge is to meet the needs of different audiences by taking into consideration the multiplicity of realities of each spectator.”

“The show was great! I have rarely experienced shows where technology and danse are combined,” said Lydia, one of Canoo’s members who recently attended Danse Danse’s Jungle Book Reimagined. “This is a great opportunity for us [newcomers] to have more access to these experiences.” 

Since 2010, Canoo has welcomed over 500,000 newcomer members. All recent permanent residents and new citizens can experience the best of Canada by downloading the free Canoo app. In 2024, Canoo will open to even more newcomers.

About Canoo & Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC)

The Canoo Access Pass is designed to make newcomers fall in love Canada by granting access to the country’s best experiences. 
By downloading the free Canoo app, newcomers get access to over 1500 experiences and destinations including parks, museums, galleries, concerts, travel, professional sports, and more. Partner offers include VIA Rail, Parks Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, Cirque du Soleil, and Toronto FC.

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) works to unlock Canada for newcomers, facilitating and encouraging the journey towards full and active Canadian citizenship. The ICC is an independent charity, co-founded in 2006 by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul. 

About Danse Danse 

Danse Danse, an associate presenter at Place des Arts, invites dance lovers to discover the best of contemporary dance from here and abroad in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles.
Each season, Danse Danse presents a program of some dozen productions in the Théâtre Maisonneuve, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier and Cinquième Salle, proudly contributing to Montréal’s international reputation as a metropolis of movement.

Media Contact

ICC/Canoo
Brooke Timpson 
403.605.2282
media@inclusion.ca 

Danse Danse
Sheila Skaiem, Publicist
514.572.8687
sheila@avecsheila.com