The Federal Budget: A digest of reactions from within the culture sector

After yesterday’s federal budget, many in the arts and culture community were pleasantly surprised to see that it includes a commitment to renew and provide ongoing funding to key arts and culture programs at the Department of Canadian Heritage. The twittersphere was alive with comments when it began to sink in that this renewal was announced a year ahead of any anticipated news.

Many organizations submitted pre-budget recommendations in other areas; on these the budget was silent.

Here is a cross section of cultural sector responses to Budget 2014 to date:

ACTRA was disappointed that the budget did not do more to create security in the industry and capitalize on its potential to create jobs.

“This is yet another budget with no action on the part of this government to harness the enormous job-generating potential of our industry,” said Ferne Downey, ACTRA National President. “Status quo isn’t good enough. To compete internationally, our industry needs to grow and evolve. That means solid, long-term investments and public policy that boosts production from coast to coast.”

“ACTRA has asked the federal government to guarantee stable, long-term funding for the CBC, NFB, Telefilm and increased funding for the Canada Media Fund. ACTRA is also looking to the federal government to make regulatory changes to re-introduce income averaging for artists, and to sign and ratify the Beijing Treaty, thereby extending moral and economic rights to audio-visual performers.”

Read the full statement here.

The Canadian Arts Coalition was pleased about the renewal of key Canadian Heritage programs on a more permanent basis.

“[the Canadian Arts Coalition] applauds the Government of Canada for renewing key programs at the Department of Canadian Heritage in Budget 2014. These programs include the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, and Cultural Spaces Canada. The Canada Book Fund and the Canada Music Fund have also been renewed.”

“Budget 2014 also makes permanent $25 million to the Canada Council for the Arts that had previously been renewed from year to year. This is a promising step and welcomed by the Canadian Arts Coalition.”

Read the full statement here.

The Canadian Museums Association was similarly buoyed by the announcement that funding for the Virtual Museum of Canada will receive a boost and that the government seems to be committed to important role of heritage activities and museums.

“The Federal Government has demonstrated its continued support of Canada’s museum community by allotting new funding to a few key areas in a time of overall financial constraint,” observed John McAvity, executive director of the CMA. “We welcome the proposals for ongoing funding of heritage programs as they clearly recognize the important role of museums in our society.”

“The Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) will see its annual funding increased by $4.2 million for a total of $6.2 million per year. The VMC is to be taken over by the Canadian Museum of History.”

“A total annual investment of $2.1 million (a $1.2 million increase to the existing $0.9 million) for the Online Works of Reference, which provides access to The Canadian Encyclopedia/Encyclopedia of Music in Canada and The Dictionary of Canadian Biography. The Canadian Museum of History will also take over this program.”

“With 2017 fast approaching, it’s good to see that the celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation are on the Federal Government’s list of priorities,” says McAvity, “but there is still no confirmation regarding the allocation of funds toward the initiative. The CMA will keep reminding politicians across all parties about the importance of museums in the 2017 celebrations, as well as other critical issues affecting the museum community.”

The full statement by the CMA can be found here.

We anticipate further statements from other organizations.  We’ll keep the blog updated.