CCA Bulletin 28/10 - The Economic Update: what does it mean for the cultural sector?

Just the facts

On October 12, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered his Economic and Fiscal Update. The speech provided updated information on Canada’s economic and fiscal context and did not contain any spending announcements, as has sometimes been the case in past years.

On the economic side, so far, Canada is performing quite strongly in relation to its G7 counterparts, notably the United States. On the fiscal side, things are less rosy, particularly in the short-term. This year’s deficit will be the largest ever at the updated level of $55.6 billion, up $1.8 billion from the March estimate (most of the increase is due to accounting changes that shift expenditures for transitional assistance payments to the provinces from the 2010/2011 fiscal year to 2009/2010).(more)

CCA Bulletin 26/10 - Copyright: the Parliamentary debate about to begin

Just the Facts

Bill C-32, the Copyright Modernization Act, is scheduled to be presented in the House of Commons for second reading next week, on Tuesday, November 2. Debate in second reading covers the basic principles of the proposed piece of legislation. In an exceptional turn of events, in the case of C-32, the government has obtained the agreement of the three opposition parties to limit debate to a minimum so that the Bill may proceed to committee review as quickly as possible.(more)

CCA Bulletin 25/10 - The CCA Publishes its Annual Analysis of the Federal Budget

Just the Facts

Having received answers to the questions raised with the government, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) is now pleased to publish its annual Analysis of the Federal Budget from the perspective of the arts, culture and cultural industries.

The analysis of the 2010 budget examines federal funding to the Department of Canadian Heritage, cultural agencies and Crown Corporations; organizational and funding changes within the Department of Canadian Heritage; federal funding of key programs across the arts, heritage and cultural industries; and other noteworthy developments affecting the sector.

While there is little in the way of “bad news” in the budget – indeed, it is status quo in the funding of programs and Strategic Reviews of the Canada Council, the CBC, the National Film Board and Telefilm, which did not face any cuts –  all eyes are on next year, and the shape of things to come.(more)

CCA Bulletin 21/10 - CCA urges the government to keep investing in arts and culture beyond Canada’s Economic Action Plan

Just the Facts

On Friday August 13, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) submitted its pre-budget brief for 2011 to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. In it, the CCA frames the manner in which the federal government should invest in arts and culture, and emphasizes the need for the government to continue its commitment of stable funding for arts and culture as we come to the end of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The CCA outlines priorities to stabilize and enrich the economic capacity of the creative sector. The complete submission defines six recommendations for investment:

1. Audience and market development at home and abroad: The CCA asks the government to dedicate $40 million of “new money” in order to expand its capacity to support market development nationally and internationally for Canadian artists, cultural institutions and industries. 

2. Canada Council for the Arts: The CCA asks the government to increase the base budget of the Canada Council for the Arts by an additional $30 million per year beginning in 2011-12, with a view to reach $300 million by 2015.

3. Training and Internship/Mentorship Opportunities: The Department of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC) should expand access to EI training support for the self-employed. Also, HRSDC should dedicate $1 million per year for five years to foster the professional development of cultural workers through internships and mentorships.

4. National Museum Policy: The CCA asks that in the context of a new National Museum Policy, the government dedicate an additional $50 million to promote Canada’s national heritage, exhibit Canadian stories and preserve our culture.

5. Cultural Statistics: The CCA requests that the government give an additional $1 million to the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) to develop and maintain a satellite account for culture at Statistics Canada, as is done for tourism and the voluntary sector.

6. Investment Incentives: Finally, the CCA supports Imagine Canada’s suggestion to establish a “stretch” tax credit that would increase the federal charitable tax credit by an additional 10% on all new giving up to $10,000, in order to increase the flow of charitable gifts from Canadians. (more)

CCA Bulletin 20/10 - The Long-Form Census Controversy and the Arts

Just the Facts
On June 26, as Canadians were focused on the G-8 and G-20 meetings in Toronto, the government discretely announced its decision that the long-form census would no longer be compulsory. The census, which is sent every five years by Statistics Canada to a fifth of Canadian households, would be replaced by a voluntary survey of a full third of Canadian households. The short version of the national census, which contains only eight questions, remains compulsory and protected by the Constitution.

Statistics Canada was not consulted on this decision but simply asked to provide alternative solutions, none of which, they recognize, will provide the same quantity and quality of information. While no solution can adequately compensate for the change in methodology, the extended voluntary Household Survey will cost Statistics Canada an estimated $ 30 million more to administer a system which all statisticians describe as faulty. (more)

CCA Bulletin 19/10 - What are the Department of Canadian Heritage's Priorities for 2010-11?

The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) is still working on its detailed Analysis of the 2010 federal budget, which is delayed as we wait for answers from the government on a number of issues.

As part of its Budget Analysis on arts, culture and heritage, the CCA examines the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Report on Plans and Priorities published in the spring. This document is the expenditure plan for the Department. It provides details on priorities, human resource requirements, major capital projects, grants and contributions, and net program costs. As such, this document reflects the intentions of the Department to take action on certain files, and presents a comprehensive examination of the Department’s priorities, program architecture and management structures. (more)

What are your thoughts on the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Report on Plans and Priorities? Comment below.

CCA's 2010 Federal Budget Analysis

Here is our executive summary of the 2010 Federal Budget:

The 2010 Budget includes stable funding to arts and culture with no cuts, but also yields no new investments into the creative economy. The CCA sees no investment towards cultural infrastructure, or funds for promotion abroad and audience development. It is encouraging that charities are given more flexible means to conduct business, and research granting associations will have an increased ability to fund higher education within the knowledge economy. Moving forward, some concerns include administrative reforms, freezes on departmental operating budgets, and changes to strategic reviews. These measures may not be viewed as cuts at the moment, but may lead to financial difficulties for the arts sector down the road.

To read the whole analysis, go to our website, then post your comments here - we'd love to hear from you!

2010 Federal Budget

Today, as the third session of Canada's 40th Parliament is launched with the Speech from the Throne, participate in an online discussion!

The CCA will publish bulletins analyzing how the Speech from the Throne and how the 2010 Federal Budget will impact arts and culture in Canada. Specifically, we will look at new funding initiatives for arts and culture, spending on cultural infrastructure, promotion of arts abroad, and development of new audiences.

We also hope to see plans to implement a digital strategy, new copyright legislation, and other innovative steps in the realms of telecommunications and taxation.

Over the next couple of days, and the following weeks look out for our evaluation of the Main Estimates, and the impact of deficit reduction on the Department of Canadian Heritage and other cultural agencies. We will also be keeping a watchful eye on how federal deficit reduction will be compounded by steps taken by provinces.

We hope this post will be the first in creating a dialogue about this new session of Canada's 40th Parliament. Use this thread to post comments, questions, links, and anything those interested in the arts would like to learn!

CCA Cultural Policy Workshops!

Thanks to the support of the Trillium Foundation, the CCA is traveling around Ontario this fall to conduct workshops on cultural policy in Canada. In coordination with local arts groups from around Canada, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) will host workshops, available in both official languages, which will inform participants about how public policy shapes the nature of arts, culture, and heritage in Canada. We hope to show you the best ways of making an impact on these policies.

The Politics of Arts and the Art of Politics is a half-day workshop designed for a small group of 20-40 participants. The workshops are open to all Canadians interested in arts and culture: from all disciplines and practices within the sector itself, artists and creators, municipal and provincial officials, educators and students, arts activists, volunteers, arts organization Board members and the business community.

We hope that by going from community to community, those involved in the actual workshops, and those who can only join us on this online forum, will be able to continue the discussion!

Please post your comments from your experience at our Cultural Policy Workshop, or share your thoughts from afar. The discussion does not have to end with the workshop...let's hear what you have to say!

Please also note the upcoming dates, to see if the CCA will be in your community:

• Peterborough, with the Artspace Artist-Run Centre,
  • November 4, 2009 1:30 – 4:30 pm
    Artspace, 3/378 Aylmer St. N
    To register, contact Artspace at info@artspace-arc.org or 705-748-3883
• Kingston, with the Kingston Arts Council,

• November 5, 2009 6:00 – 9:00 pm
  Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Wilson Room,
  
• 130 Johnson Street
  To register, contact the Kingston Arts Council at info@artskingston.com or 613-546-2787




• Sudbury, with the Sudbury Arts Council,
  • November 11, 2009, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
    Marguerite Lougheed Community Centre,
    
  • 328 Albert St. at Regent St.
    To register, contact the Sudbury Arts Council at sac.contact@gmail.com or 705-560-5412




• Sault-Ste-Marie, with the Arts Council of Sault-Ste-Marie and District and the NORDIK Institute,
  • November 12, 2009, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
    Algoma University, Room EW204, 1520 Queen St. East
    To register, contact Jude Ortiz at the NORDIK Institute, jude.ortiz@algomau.ca or 705-949-2301




• Waterloo, with Communication, Leadership, and Social Innovation & the Centre for Cultural Management, University of Waterloo
  • November 18, 2009, 7:00 – 10:00 pm
    Council Chambers (3rd Floor), Waterloo City Centre
    100 Regina St. South (at William)
    To register, contact Bill Poole at the Centre for Cultural Management, wpoole@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 x 35057