March 2006 Conference Reminder

If you have been following the federal election and public opinion polls as intently as the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA), you will doubtless feel the winds of change picking up.

At the moment it appears that on January 23 2006 the political landscape in this country will be altered when Canadians go to the polls to elect a new federal government. Every Canadian 18 and older has a right to have their say at the polling booth, but what about January 24 2006 and beyond?

For those of us working in the arts and cultural sector, the prospect of change brings with it a great deal of uncertainty. Will a new government honour the commitment to increase the budget of the Canada Council? Will it continue with changes to the Copyright Act? How will it make key appointments, such as the Director of the Canada Council for the Arts? How will it set an agenda for the arts and cultural industries for the next Parliament?

CCA's national policy conference and (for arts organizations only) attendant Chalmers Conference, gives you a chance to add your views and priorities to those of your colleagues on these and other matters of importance to artists, creators and arts professionals. CCA has already alerted the Department it would like the next Minister of Canadian Heritage to attend.

(CCA member organizations should have received a separate notice about the Chalmers Conference; for more information on how this year's Chalmers event links with the national policy conference, please contact the CCA secretariat.)

This is a chance not to be missed to have your voice heard in Ottawa and is an excellent opportunity to set the course of the new government in a direction that will serve the interests of the arts, heritage and cultural industry communities.

Reserve your space today, encourage your colleagues to do as well – the CCA will deliver your messages to the Hill for the duration of the next Parliament. We will continue to defend and promote policies and legislation that support the continued growth and diversity of artistic expression in Canada. Be a part of this opportunity to direct the winds of change. You will find attached an update of the content of the conference; registration forms can be downloaded at www.ccarts.ca. The number of spaces is limited, so register now!

I look forward to meeting all of you at this important event for all of us.

Alain Pineau
National Director
Canadian Conference of the Arts