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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.
Highlights
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.
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