CCA BULLETIN / BULLETIN DE LA CCA
NEW INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL INSTRUMENT GETS A THUMBS UP IN THRONE SPEECH
Ottawa, February 2, 2004 – A new session of government was ushered in today, under the guidance of Prime Minister Paul Martin. The Speech from the Throne, read by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, painted the general vision for the next session in broad strokes (restoring trust and accountability, strengthening Canada’s social foundations, building a 21st century economy) but provided few details as to how these goals would be achieved, particularly as they related to culture.
Overriding statements in the introduction sounded good:
“Our history has prepared us to be innovative in the modern world, where diversity counts for so much.... When we look around us at Canada today, we see many strengths, many achievements - a society with an enviable quality of life and so much potential, so much talent.”
However, one must not forget the fact that this “Government is launching an ongoing process of expenditure review” which will colour all decisions made by government departments in the future.
CCA is extremely encouraged by the government’s continued commitment to the work of the INCD and the cultural sector, as expressed under the rubric “Canada’s Role in the World”.
“The Government will continue its leadership in the creation of a new international instrument on cultural diversity, participate actively in la Francophonie, and promote and disseminate our cultural products and works around the world.”
Culture - Canada’s artists and cultural enterprises - received a mention under the heading “Great Places to Live - A New Deal for Communities”. The Throne Speech stated:
“To this end, the government of Canada is committed to a new deal for Canada’s municipalities.... A new deal that targets the infrastructure needed to support the quality of life and sustainable growth.... A new deal that helps our communities become more dynamic, more culturally rich, more cohesive, and partners in strengthening Canada’s social foundations.... A new deal that delivers reliable, predictable and long-term funding....
Another defining characteristic of our communities and of our reputation around the world is the vitality and excellence of our cultural life. Canada’s artists and cultural enterprises are among our best ambassadors, as well as being an increasingly dynamic element of the knowledge economy. Their work holds a mirror on our society and builds a legacy for future generations.
The Government will work with parliamentarians to modernize our arts and culture policies and federal cultural institutions to bring to bear the new technological possibilities of the digital age and to reflect Canada’s regional diversity and multiculturalism.”
The CCA is also optimistic about the phrase “reliable, predictable and long-term funding” ; this could mean a significant renewal of the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative. The statement on the arts and culture is strong; however, there is little substance in the following paragraph to provide comfort. There is a real need at the most basic level for improved funding to assist artists, creators and cultural workers, and to provide capacity building and sustainability for the organizations which support them. Providing funding for “new technological possibilities of the digital age” is extremely narrow, although - as always - we will need to view the details at the time of the next Budget to know what the Government really intends to do.
The government also commits to “enhance the social and environmental conditions in our communities right across Canada”. The government is to be commended for the measures it has already taken, and for committing ongoing support for the Voluntary Sector Initiative. The concept of “social economy”, mentioned in the Speech from the Throne, has been prevalent in the Province of Quebec. CCA anticipates this might mean continued work will be done on the policy capacity and funding of the non-profit sector, and improving and redefining charities so advocacy becomes a legitimate purpose.
The future of Bill C-20, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children and other vulnerable persons) and the Canada Evidence Act, remains a concern. This was dropped from the Order Paper when the previous Parliament was prorogued on November 7, 2003 (see CCA Bulletin 39/03). It would appear that this poorly drafted piece of legislation may have a future in the new session of the House of Commons, as the Throne Speech promises “The government will do more to ensure the safety of children through a strategy to counter sexual exploitation of children on the Internet and by reinstating child protection legislation.” Based on the past track record of the Liberal government, the CCA will continue to monitor any changes to the Criminal Code that would eliminate the defence of “artistic merit”, as we see this as counter-active to freedom of expression and the rights of all Canadians.
Other areas which might assist those in the cultural sector include:
•“To meet the challenges of the new economy, Canada’s workers must have the opportunity to upgrade their skills, to improve their literacy, to learn on the job, to move onto the path of lifelong learning. The government will therefore refine and enhance its programs to encourage skills upgrading, in concert with sector councils, unions, and business.” This should offer opportunities for organizations such as the Cultural Human Resources Council to advocate for improved training opportunities and professional development.
•“... to help communities identify children whose readiness to learn is at risk, the government will extend its successful community pilot project, Understanding the Early Years, to at least 100 communities.” The CCA reiterates its own commitment to promoting the active participation of young people in the arts, through the existing ArtsSmarts programme, and through the development of a further national initiative to encourage the arts in education and youth participation in the arts.
•The commitment to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler continues; the games carry a considerable cultural component.
Missing from the Throne Speech was any mention of the thorny issue of foreign ownership of Canada’s broadcasting system, an issue the CCA will be pursuing assiduously with the new government over the coming months.
For more information:
Kevin Desjardins
Communications and Public Relations Manager
(613) 238 3561 ext.11
Fax (613) 238 4849
08/04
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