Culture: what should go into the next federal budget?
CCA Bulletin 24/11
July 11, 2011
Culture: what should go into the next federal budget?
As is the case each summer, the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Finance has launched its annual national consultation on what should be included or excluded in the next federal budget. This year’s process is taking place in parallel with the secretive Strategic and Operational Review which is currently underway within all government departments and agencies. The objective of the review is to find a cumulative “savings” of $ 11 billion over the next three years in order to balance the budget by 2014–15. The President of the Treasury Board, the Hon. Tony Clement, has indicated that whole programs may be cut, and that for the first time in seven years, imminent electoral considerations will not bear on the preparation of the budget. It is in this context that the CCA seeks your input as it prepares its submission for the 2012 federal pre-budget consultations. The CCA’s National Policy Advisory Committee and Board of Governors will review input from our members at the end of July to ensure that we meet the August 12, 2011 deadline.
Just the Facts
The CCA is asking for your input as to what you think should be in the 2012 federal budget for the arts and culture sector. Please send your views and arguments to info@ccarts.caas soon as possible, and no later than July 29, 2011. If you or your organization wishes to appear in front of the committee in any of the following cities, July 29 is also the last day you can notify the Clerk of the Committee with your request. The committee hopes to hold public hearings in the following cities:
- Whitehorse, Yukon
- Prince Rupert, British Columbia
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Windsor, Ontario
- Toronto, Ontario
- Montreal, Quebec
- St. John’s, Newfoundland
- Moncton, New Brunswick
The Standing Committee on Finance has laid out certain guidelines for this process including a five page limit, and only three specific recommendations. So within this framework, we would appreciate receiving input around these topics:
- How to achieve a sustained economic recovery in Canada;
- How to create quality sustainable jobs;
- How to ensure relatively low rates of taxation;
- How to achieve a balanced budget.
In particular, we are seeking thoughts and suggestions about how to attain high levels of job growth and business investment in order to ensure shared prosperity and a high standard of living for all Canadians.
The CCA will be submitting a brief to the Minister of Finance and to the Standing Committee on Finance, and has asked to appear in Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal.
What can I do?
Write to us at info@ccarts.ca and if you intend to present a submission and wish to appear, contact the Clerk of the Committee at FINA@parl.gc.ca. Don’t forget to send us a copy of your brief as well.