Speech From Throne 

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.

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.

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.