As an arts publication, we are vested in the promotion and dialogue surrounding a healthy and growing arts community, not only in Toronto but across Canada. The arts are our finest export, and our creative output embodies what it means to be Canadian.
After 9.5 years of conservative rule, we believe it is now time for a newly elected federal government that will take a more progressive role in the development of Canada’s cultural products.
With the Canadian Federal Election Vote approaching on Monday, October 19th, 2015, we urge voters to choose candidates with the best chance of defeating the Conservatives in their riding.
Here is a summary of the Arts-related platforms for each of the four sitting political parties that are running in the 2015 Federal Election.
Liberals
The Liberal Party of Canada believes that supporting the culture and creative industries will result in job growth and strengthen the economy. They intend to reverse the Conservative belief that the federal government does not have a role to play as a facilitator of arts and culture. This means actively seeking to protect and promote Canadian art and artists through the expansion of new markets via tours, festivals, shows and exhibitions across Canada and abroad.
- Double the investment in the Canada Council for the Arts to $360 million per year.
- Study arts funding in Europe as a possible model for Canada.
- Restore international cultural promotion programs cut by the Conservative government, including Trade Routes and Promart.
- Increase funding for the National Film Board and Telefilm Canada.
- As part of the Liberals’ $6 billion investment in social infrastructure over the next four years, they will increase funding to The Young Canada Works program, which directly benefits both the heritage and arts sectors.
- Modernize cultural policies and digital media laws to ensure they are well adapted to the new Canadian arts and culture environment.
- Review of the Broadcasting Act and the Copyright Act so that Canadian content rules better help writers, composers, producers and artists succeed.
CBC initiatives: (via the Canadian Arts Coalition)
- Reverse the $115-million cuts made to CBC’s budget and re-invest in the CBC with stable and predictable multi-year funding.
- In consultation with the CBC, establish a Protocol outlining the objectives the public broadcaster is expected to achieve over the multi-year funding period.
- Within the context of this Protocol, require that the CBC’s program content is predominantly Canadian and sufficiently diversified to meet the needs of the various Canadian publics, including aboriginal peoples and that it respects the specificity of Francophone and Anglophone markets, with their particular environments, dynamics and conditions for success.
- Review the appointment procedure for CBC Board Directors and CEO to ensure their independence and competence.
- Involve the CRTC and the Auditor General in ensuring CBC’s accountability to taxpayers.
NDP
The NDP under leader Tom Mulcair, have expressed a commitment to supporting artists, creative workers and cultural innovators. Besides restoring the funding to the CBC, The NDP is the only party to state it will intervene to stop the CBC from selling off any of its properties.
- Build federal government support for the arts and cultural industries in finding markets and showcasing Canadian content abroad as a means to create jobs.
- Allow artists to be able to promote their work internationally through the appointment of cultural attaches at Canadian embassies.
- Establish a new $10-million digital content fund to support celebrations of Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
- Actively work with the media industry to ensure the long-term sustainability of Canadian broadcasting industries, and ensure that content thrives on all platforms.
- Nationally promote the cultural awareness of Canada’s broadcasting cultural content.
- Provide $60 million over four years to the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board.
- Make grants from the Canada Council for the Arts more accessible for artists.
- Allow self-employed artists to average their incomes.
CBC initiatives:
- Reverse the $115 million in cuts to the CBC outlined in the 2012 budget.
- Guarantee multi-year financing to protect the CBC/ Radio-Canada and ensure editorial independence from the government.
- Implement an independent process for appointing members of the CBC’s Board of Directors.
Green Party
The Green Party echo the Liberal Party’s Arts Platform in that they believe developing the Arts and Culture sector is a major part of an overall economic development strategy. They also recognize the importance of the more intangible, less quantifiable benefits of promoting arts in Canada. As stated in the Green Party Policy Points, “We do not live, work, raise children and do other life-sustaining activities simply to increase the GDP. Nor is individual and collective well-being simply “enhanced” by arts and culture. As a nation, we rely on arts and culture to articulate who we are individually and collectively.”
- Increase access for artists, actors, musicians, dancers, authors, and playwrights to enter international markets.
- Adequately funded Canada Council for the Arts. (Amount unspecified)
- Reverse the funding cuts to the promotion of Canadian art abroad by the Harper Government including the embassy art program.
- Increase funding to the National Film Board, and Telefilm Canada. (Amount unspecified)
- Modernize existing structures, such as copyright and Canadian content quotas, and to look at new ways to help Canadian artists succeed.
- Work towards a House of Commons committee to establish a comprehensive Canadian Cultural Digital Strategy.
- Provide adequate investment in arts and culture through both Heritage and Industry Canada.
- Seek to guard Canadian cultural sovereignty in trade negotiations.
CBC initiatives:
- Provide $1.5 billion over five years for the CBC/ Radio-Canada
Conservatives
The Conservative Party of Canada believes the federal government should not be involved with the promotion of arts and culture in Canada. They feel the free-market system is best equipped to deal with the financial and cultural viability of artists, arts presenters and groups across the country. Despite this ideology, the Conservatives have offered some support to some performances arts spaces, and will also increase support to Canada Day celebrations. The Conservative Arts mandate (or lack thereof) has been particularly damaging to the CBC, which has seen it’s funding reduced to the extent that they are no longer effective as a national broadcaster.
- $110 million renovation of the National Arts Centre scheduled for 2017.
- $15 million endowment incentive fund for local museums.
- $25 million over five years in renewed funding for the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
- $210 million over four years to community events celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
- Harper has stated he will fight proposed digital media taxes that would affect online streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube.
- In response to recording industry lobby groups, the Copyright Act will be extended to provide protection of performances and sound recordings from 50 to 70 years.
CBC initiatives:
- $115 million in funding cuts over three years, as outlined in the federal government’s 2012 budget.
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