CCA Bulletin 49/06

Ottawa, November 28, 2006

Hope on the museum policy front, a mandate review for the CBC, and a clarification on "cultural rights"

Let us start with a short update on a Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) policy priority, namely the need for a new Museum policy. You will no doubt remember that the cut of $4.6 M to the Museum Assistance Program (MAP) announced at the end of September as part of the federal government's reallocation program of $1B for 2006-07 has caused quite a lot of protest and press across the country. The CCA has objected to this measure, which the government described as a "wasteful program". We have continued to unequivocally support the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) in calling for the Government to accelerate the implementation of a new, much-needed museums policy and funding program, supported unequivocally by the Heritage Minister when she was Heritage Opposition critic.

It would appear that there is some movement on that front and that there is hope this could be part of the next budget. which most currently expect to lead to a spring election. Recently, representatives from the CMA, the Société des musées québécois, the Alberta Museums Association, and the Heritage Canada Foundation appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage over the new Canadian Museums Policy.

Together, the group made clear and consistent recommendations based on CMA's recent meeting with Minister Oda, and on the comprehensive work done to date across the country by the museums sector. CMA recommendations include the creation of multi-year funding agreements, the replacement of MAP with a new arms' length agency, and the new investment of funds.

There is still no indication from the Minister of Canadian Heritage as to when the new museums policy may be introduced in the House of Commons. So, noting that this policy has been long in the making, has resulted from wide-ranging consultations, and has been the object of a broad political consensus prior to the last federal election, on November 20 th, the Standing Committee on Heritage adopted by a vote of 7 against 4 a Bloc Québécois motion recommending that the government submit for study a new museum policy within 120 days.

At the same meeting, the Standing Committee on Heritage has also taken the initiative concerning a CBC mandate review, which many observers expected Minister Oda to announce last June at the Banff Television Festival. The Standing Committee has adopted a NDP motion stating that the "committee undertake a full investigation of the role for a public broadcaster in the 21st century, an examination of the various services including the adequacy of regional programming, and an examination of the issues posed by new media; the study will gather public input from stakeholders and deliver a report to the Minister advising her of our findings; this undertaking shall commence upon the return of the House in January 2007."

The CCA intends to intervene in the process and is launching internal consultations to that end. The CBC mandate review, if it makes any progress before an election is called, will be a timely segue to the Cabinet commissioned CRTC report on the impact of new technologies on broadcasting, due in mid-December, and to the CRTC hearings on some aspects of the conventional "over-the-air" television policy review, which have started this Monday in Hull and where the CCA is intervening.

Regarding "Cultural Rights"

Since the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) released its revised mission statement, we have received inquiries about what is intended by our evocation of the term "cultural rights". Do such rights exist currently, or is it the long-term goal of the CCA to articulate a charter of cultural rights for Canadians? The answer to both of these important questions is: yes!

Canadians enjoy a wide range of "cultural rights", enshrined in legislation such as the British North America Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, official language protection, the recognition of Aboriginal cultures and multiculturalism. In addition, there are other more specific forms of "cultural rights" that respect the moral and economic rights of creators and copyright owners, and the status of the artist in Canadian society.

In addition to these domestic rights, Canada has been a signatory to international agreements, covenants and recommendations that further the field of cultural rights to include the UNSECO promotion of cultural diversity, exemptions in NAFTA for cultural goods and services, and the need to protect and promote artistic and cultural expression in all of its forms.

At our March 2006 National Policy Conference, delegates made a recommendation to the CCA Board regarding the development of a Charter of Cultural Rights as a worthy target for the energies of the organization. The Board of Governors has endorsed this concept and the CCA Secretariat will soon begin work on putting additional flesh on the bones of this important concept. As Canadians we enjoy a considerable number of cultural rights, the challenge is to preserve and enhance those rights to better reflect the richness of Canadian life.

If you have any ideas about a Charter of Cultural Rights, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@ccarts.ca.

And remember: if you ever have any questions about anything that you read in a CCA publication or Bulletin, please be in touch and we will do our best to answer you!