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Speech
From Throne
Throne Speech 2001
A Vibrant Canadian Culture
January 30, 2001
In a time of rapid change and globalization, it
is more important than ever to know and appreciate who we are as Canadians and
what brings us together as a country.
As people and nations reach out to each other in
the global village, across time-zones, borders and cultures, it is imperative
that governments protect and nurture unique values and identities.
Arts and culture help us understand who we are
and express our common citizenship.
Writers, performers and artists play a crucial
role in shaping the wonderfully diverse Canadian experience; in reflecting it
back on ourselves and projecting it in the world.
Our government places a high priority on
protecting our unique Canadian voice and identity by helping our writers,
artists, performers and publishers thrive in the global economy and the digital
age.
A Record of Achievement
The February 2000 Budget allocated
$75 million over 3 years to enrich Canadian cultural content on the
Internet.
We recently announced our new Canadian Feature
Film Policy, with investments of $50 million a year in feature filmmaking.
The Canadian Magazine Fund will provide
$150 million over three years to magazine publishers.
The government renewed its funding to the sound
recording industry with investments of $30 million over the next 3 years.
The Canada Council for the Arts received an
additional $10 million to support orchestras, emerging artists and the
development of young audiences. This is in addition to a $25 million
increase in 1997 that targeted research and innovation.
Canada has been playing a leading role in
advocating the creation of a new international instrument to protect cultural
diversity at the global level.
2001 SFT Commitments
The CBC/SRC is one of our most important cultural
institutions. We will increase its resources which will enable it to fulfil its
role - which is connecting Canadians to their country and their history and
creating new opportunities for our creators.
We will also:
- Assist the book and sound-recording sectors
in making the transition to the new economy.
- Continue to support the development of
digital content for new media in both French and English.
- Work to expand international markets for
Canadian cultural products and services.
- Work with the private and not-for-profit
sectors and other governments to strengthen Canada’s cultural
infrastructure.
- Help communities develop their own
sustainable and relevant arts and heritage programs.
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