Press Release
The
CCA Releases its Analysis of the 2006 Federal Budget -
How
would culture fare under a majority Conservative government?
Ottawa, ON (August 3, 2006) - The
Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) has released its annual
in-depth Annual Federal Budget Analysis. The document examines
federal funding to the Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH),
cultural agencies and crown corporations in Canadian Heritage's
portfolio and other noteworthy developments. It also addresses
other fiscal policies that were included in the 2006 federal
budget.
The
CCA observes that while overall cultural funding levels rise
modestly in Budget 2006, there is growing concern this may
be a period of proverbial calm before the storm and it asks
the question: How would culture fare under a majority
Conservative government?
The
oldest and largest coalition advocating for arts and culture
in Canada points to a number of reasons for the growing concerns
about the Harper government's intentions concerning arts and
culture. First, the CCA notes that of the new government's
top priorities, none targets the cultural sector. Instead,
the government's common refrain is that key cultural programs
and institutions are "under review" and will be subject to
consultation with Canadians.
Second,
the CCA points at the fact that of the five decision-making
committees put in place by Prime Minister Harper, Heritage
Minister Bev Oda has only been appointed to the Social Affairs
Committee, which limits substantially her capacity to press
for a cultural lens to be applied to policy in sectors beyond
social affairs - notably those related to economic growth,
infrastructure, international trade negotiations and foreign
affairs.
Furthermore,
expenditure commitments made under the previous government
are not honoured by the current government, as demonstrated
by the decision to significantly scale back the funding increases
to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Last,
the CCA points to numerous statements by Ministers and Conservative
MPs emphasizing freedom of choice, reliance on the private
sector and consumer choice in cultural policy. Could this
be setting the stage for a significant withdrawal, reorientation
of programming or reduction in federal funding to the cultural
sector? Are we heading towards a model where the federal government
may facilitate donations and support to arts and culture,
but considers this funding responsibility to rest essentially
with the private sector and with individuals?
The
CCA 2006 Budget Analysis provides insights regarding the "big
picture" of federal funding levels to arts, culture,
and heritage, i.e. Where is the money going? How will the
expenditure review affect the sector? How are individual programs
working? The document also offers a detailed examination of
crucial funding issues, trends, challenges and opportunities
on a sub-sectoral basis, with reference to specific programs.
Organizations
or individuals interested in acquiring the full text of the
document can do so by completing the publications order form
located on CCA's website (www.ccarts.ca).
Sixty
years strong, the Canadian Conference of the Arts is the national
forum for the arts and cultural
community in Canada . Representing over 250 thousand individuals,
the CCA serves as a leader, authority, and catalyst to ensure
that artists and cultural institutions and industries can
contribute freely and fully to a creative, dynamic, and civil
Canadian society.
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