“What is provided in Canada to support our artists is the envy of the world.”
Heather Ostertag, CEO of FACTOR
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“The Federal Government is showing real leadership on arts funding.”
Tim Yerxa, Executive Director, Fredericton Playhouse
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Letter to the Editor
RE: “Culture industry plans new funds offensive” (Winnipeg Sun, 2009-08-09)

I was surprised by a recent misleading story in the SUN papers on arts policy. While it is not surprising that your journalist again chose to focus on negative comments, I believe your readers need to be informed of the overwhelmingly positive response from Canada's culture sector to the Harper Government’s policies and budget decisions, if for no other reason than to provide the balance your journalist’s article lacked.

Our Government’s Economic Action Plan contains 540 million dollars over two years for arts, culture and heritage. There is 276 million dollars in new money for modernized arts and culture programs - this, on top of our Government’s 8% increase to arts funding since we came to office in 2006.

At the time the Plan was released, Stanley Péan of the Union des écrivaines et écrivains québécois, who was quoted in the article in question, stated that there were many initiatives in the budget to be applauded, especially the additional funds for cultural infrastructure and arts training.

In June, I announced that our Government was renewing and guaranteeing all federal arts program funding for five years, including an increase in funding to the Canada Council for the Arts. That day, Alain Pineau, National Director of the Canadian Conference of the Arts, said it was “excellent news for artists and arts organizations throughout our country,” and that the “five-year financial commitment provides exactly the kind of stability that the sector needs.” Lucy White, Executive Director of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, stated that the announcement confirmed that “this government understands the importance of on-going, sustained support” and congratulated our Government in particular “for responding to our call for continued support for the Canada Council for the Arts.” Robert Sirman, CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts who was present for the announcement, acknowledged that “this funding confirmation couldn't come at a better time," adding it will “help stabilize the arts sector during a particularly challenging economic period."

Since that time, I have received a number of letters from members of the arts community, including Shannon Litzenberger of the Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) who was also quoted in the article. In a letter dated July 29th, Ms. Litzenberger informed me that the renewed investment “was met with applause and a sigh of relief by members of the Canadian dance sector.” In fact, they were “thrilled that this government has taken action on a key recommendation made by the CDA and other arts sector representatives during pre-budget consultations last fall.”

Just last week, during Les Francofolies festival in Montreal, I announced that our Government was renewing and increasing the Canada Music Fund. This was met with applause by a room full of artists and members of the arts community, including Heather Ostertag, CEO of FACTOR, who stated during the news conference that “what is provided in Canada to support our artists is the envy of the world.” Days later, the Vancouver Opera sent a letter thanking our Government for our “strong leadership in delivering essential support to the arts across Canada.” And this past Thursday, at an announcement of over a million dollars to 52 arts organizations in New Brunswick, Tim Yerxa, Executive Director of the Fredericton Playhouse, said "the federal government is showing real leadership on arts funding."

As I continue to travel across the country, meeting with arts and culture groups to discuss their issues and concerns, I hear more of these kinds of comments than the ones used in the article. The true fact is this: our Government has delivered for the arts and culture communities, and we will continue to do so.

Hon. James Moore, PC MP
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages