Our Major New Investment in Canadian Arts and Culture

May 3, 2001                                        

Fulfilling our pledge -- made in Red Book III and reiterated in the January Speech from the Throne -- the government yesterday announced a major new investment that will enhance the growth and development of Canadian culture.

At more than $500 million over the next three years alone, it is the largest federal investment in arts and culture in more than 40 years.

The investment is comprehensive in scope. It will promote excellence in all aspects of the creative process, encourage diversity in Canadian content, promote access to arts and heritage for all Canadians, taking into account our linguistic duality, the unique and distinct character of Quebec culture and the inestimable contribution of the First Nations' cultures.

• $288 million will be invested to encourage the growth, development and diversity of creative work in Canada, particularly among young people who are being called upon to project our traditions into the future; and promote access to the arts and heritage for all Canadians. The Canada Council for the Arts will receive $75 million of this funding.
• $108 million will be invested to promote the development of the new media industry and increase Canadian content on the Internet -- which is fast becoming the most popular medium of communication among Canada's youth.
• $60 million will be added to the CBC budget this year in order to further highlight Canadian stories and foster Canadian talent on radio and television.
• $56 million will be invested to ensure that our cultural industries -- notably the book and sound recording sectors -- are able to project a strong, distinctive and original Canadian voice in the new digital economy.
• $32 million will be invested to promote the export of Canadian cultural products and services and to explore new markets for our artists.
• $24 million will be invested in the preservation of Canada’s historic places to ensure a rich legacy for the future.