Federal Funding Cuts Affect the Cultural Community

From Arts in Guelph - November/December, 2006

On September 25, 2006, the federal government announced a broad set of cuts to federal government expenditures. The $1 billion of spending cuts was aimed at cutting areas which, in the government's opinion, were not providing good value for the money, were inefficient or were not core to the government's priorities.

For the cultural community, the bitterest pill to swallow initially was the reduction of $4.63 million to the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) at the Department of Canadian Heritage. Although a motion supported by all Opposition parties in the House of Commons late in October appears to have restored the MAP funds, there is still considerable concern about the lack of movement on a promised National Museum Policy.

Other cuts at the Department of Canadian Heritage, including $1.105 billion to achieve "operating / program efficiencies," are still unclear, but there is no question that the cultural community is worried about the future of existing commitments for programs such as Arts Presentation Canada which funds many festival and other presentations across the country (including Guelph and area).

Concerns also abound regarding the reduction of $11.8 million in the Public Diplomacy program at the Department of Foreign Affairs, a program that has funded academics and cultural organizations for their international work. Their efforts in promoting Canadian studies and culture abroad have gone a long way to enhance the appreciation of Canada as a sophisticated and diverse society - beyond "Canada as Mounties, mountains, maple syrup, Molson's and moose," a view commonly held by foreign tourists (Val Ross, Globe and Mail, September 30, 2006).

The cultural sector will also be affected by cuts in other areas. For example, the recent announcement listed over $90 million in cuts to the voluntary sector, including the outright elimination of the Canada Volunteerism Initiative which, among other significant achievements had overseen the establishment of volunteer networks across the country, including the Ontario Network under Manager Brenda Doner of Guelph. In addition, the cuts of more than $55 million (half of the program's budget) to the Summer Career Placement Program could have significant impact on already-underfunded cultural organizations (including many in the Guelph area) that rely on students to assist them during the summer months.

Arts in Guelph readers can demonstrate their concern by writing a letter to the editor or contacting federal MPs to voice their opinions about the impact of these cuts on the cultural and voluntary sector.