2015 Federal Candidates ~ Arts Survey

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On September 13, PineRidge Arts Council, Durham West Arts Centre Inc. and Durham West Arts Centre Foundation polled our 2015 Federal Candidates with this Arts Question. We will place the responses in the order received.

With the 2015 Federal Election fast approaching we would like to hear your view and commitment on the following.

Most Canadians believe that the Arts are important to the Quality of Life, yet funding for the arts takes a back seat.
We were wondering if you will / if you support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle?

Should federal government take the leadership role financially?

Would arts centres be considered infrastructure projects?

Comments you would like to add?

We look forward to your replies and will publish all responses on our websites.

AJAX RIDING	DURHAM RIDING	OSHAWA RIDING
	CORINNA TRAILL Liberal Candidate for Durham Riding Most Canadians believe that the Arts are important to the Quality of Life, yet funding for the arts takes a back seat. We were wondering if you will / if you support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle? Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party are deeply committed to supporting Canada’s arts sector. We believe there is the need for long term, stable investments in this sector. We recognize the valuable contributions that this medium produces both at home and abroad. In addition to being an economic driver and providing Canadians with high paying, secure jobs, they ensure that Canadian culture is preserved and promoted. Canadian-produced media has a fundamental role in Canadian society, highlighting stories about what it means to be Canadian and making sure we remember that the things that bind us together as a country are much more powerful than any differences and divisions. Should federal government take the leadership role financially? To support creativity, it is crucial to adopt fiscal measures which will provide better and more stable revenue for our artists and creators and, in concert with the provinces, to provide the kind of training which will prepare many of them to be efficient entrepreneurs in the new digital environment. A Liberal government would also evaluate the level of resources required for the Copyright Board to deliver on its mandate in a timely fashion. We believe in the need for long-term, stable investments across the arts and culture sector. Under the Conservative government, funding for the arts in Canada has steadily eroded, with major cuts to initiatives such as CBC programs that that help bring an artist’s work to life and to audiences at home and abroad. Would arts centres be considered infrastructure projects? The Liberal Party believes it is important to invest in infrastructure in order to ensure a strong and growing economy. This includes investing in cultural infrastructure to favour creativity and public access by modernizing our aging venues to take advantage of the new digital technologies. Comments you would like to add? Additionally, a Liberal government will reverse the ideological cuts made to CBC/Radio-Canada and provide stable, long-term funding because we know a strong public broadcaster is a critical part of maintaining Canada’s cultural identity and essential to the advancement of the domestic production industry. We will ensure that there is a long-term, robust, and predictable funding plan to support our public broadcaster. Cutting funding to the CBC/R-C is wrongheaded, and only serves to undermine our ability to capture and broadcast Canada’s unique culture, history and diversity. I hope that this information is helpful and illustrates how the Arts will benefit with the election of a Liberal government. Please feel free to contact me via this email address (traillcomms@gmail.com) or by calling my campaign office at 905-623-2714.


PICKERING/UXBRIDGE RIDING	SCARBOROUGH/ROUGE PARK RIDING	WHITBY RIDING
PAMELA DOWNWARD Pickering/Uxbridge Candidate \| Canada’s New Democrats Thank you for getting in touch to inquire about the NDP policy on arts and culture. The NDP has long recognized that the arts make our communities and our economy stronger. Arts and culture encourage creativity and innovation, improve our quality of life and build cultural identity. Cultural workers also contribute significantly to our economy. Please find below the answers to your specific questions: 1. Most Canadians believe that the Arts are important to the Quality of Life, yet funding for the arts takes a back seat. We were wondering if you will / if you support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle? We share your view that arts and culture play a role in our quality of life. Our vision for the arts includes protecting our heritage, supporting key Canadian institutions and making our Canadian talent thrive on digital and traditional platforms. We are also concerned about the status of artists in our society, and about the relatively low wages paid to artists and cultural workers. We do not support the cuts that were made by Stephen Harper’s Conservative government to vital cultural programs and institutions like the CBC, Telefilm and the National Film Board. 2. Should federal government take the leadership role financially? The NDP believes the federal government needs to contribute to arts and culture funding along with provinces and municipalities. By cutting vital institutions like the CBC/Radio-Canada, the Conservative government failed to take a leadership role in supporting the sector. 3. Would arts centres be considered infrastructure projects? An NDP government will broaden the eligibility criteria for infrastructure projects to allow local governments to apply for funding for projects in recreational and cultural infrastructure. We will give municipalities more flexibility so they can access funding according to their priorities. 4. Comments you would like to add? The NDP will restore the funds Stephen Harper’s 2012 budget cut from the CBC. After years of cuts by successive Liberal and Conservative governments, our public broadcaster’s position is precarious and needs stability to ensure its independence and the quality programming we have come to treasure. For further information on the NDP’s commitments to arts and culture, please refer to our forthcoming election platform. JENNIFER O'CONNELL Liberal Candidate, Pickering/Uxbridge Thank you so much for your email. I understand and fully value the role the arts play in improving lifestyles for millions of Canadians and will therefore fully support the arts as an MP. The federal government has a role to play in funding and promoting arts, specifically Canadian content that demonstrates, and enhances our unique cultural identity. The Liberal Party has a concrete plan to increase investments in infrastructure projects. These projects will include green infrastructure investments, spaces for child care and affordable housing for seniors among a number of other facilities. Facilities that promote art and Canadian culture are an important part of infrastructure developmentacross the country. A Liberal government will reverse the ideological cuts made to CBC/Radio-Canada and provide stable, long-term funding because we know a strong public broadcaster is a critical part of maintaining Canada’s cultural identity and essential to the advancement of the domestic production industry. We will ensure that there is a long-term, robust, and predictable funding plan to support our public broadcaster. Cutting funding to the CBC/R-C is wrongheaded, and only serves to undermine our ability to capture and broadcast Canada’s unique culture, history and diversity." Thank you so much for your advocacy with regards to this important issue. MP CORNELIU CHISU Conservative Candidate, Pickering/Uxbridge Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program I do, and the Conservative Party does support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle. The Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program was created to help you celebrate your community, its past and it’s present. The Program increases opportunities, through festivals and other events and projects, for local artists and artisans to be involved in their community and for local groups to commemorate their local history and heritage. The Local Festivals component provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals. Successful applicants may receive up to 100 percent of eligible expenses to a maximum of $200,000 for festivals that: • present the work of local artists, artisans, or performers of local historical heritage; • actively involve members of the local community; • are intended for and accessible to the general public The Community Anniversaries component provides funding for non-recurring events (including capital projects up to $25,000). Successful applicants may receive up to 100 percent of eligible expenses to a maximum of $200,000 for events that: • commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality; • mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th); • commemorate in 2014 and up to 2017, inclusively, the 75th anniversary of locally significant events directly related to the Canadian participation in World War II; • present the work of local artists, artisans, or performers of historical heritage; • actively involve members of the local community; • are intended for and accessible to the general public The Legacy Fund component provides funding for community capital projects. Successful applicants may receive up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses to a maximum of $500,000 in funding for community capital projects that: • commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality; • mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th); • NEW commemorate in 2014 and up to 2017, inclusively, the 75th anniversary of locally significant events directly related to the Canadian participation in World War II; • involve the restoration, renovation, or transformation of existing buildings and/or exterior spaces with local community significance; • encourage arts and heritage activities in your community; and • are intended for and accessible to the general public. Children’s Arts Tax Credit Also, we encourage parents to introduce their children to the arts by offering the Children’s Arts Tax Credit. Through the Next Phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government introduced a 15% non-refundable Children's Arts Tax Credit to better recognize the costs associated with children's artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental activities. The Children's Arts Tax Credit is available for a wide range of activities that contribute to a child's development, but which are not eligible for the Children's Fitness Tax Credit. The credit is provided for up to $500 of eligible expenses per child, and is otherwise based on eligibility conditions for the Children's Fitness Tax Credit. Who Is Eligible? The credit is available in respect of children under the age of 16 for registration costs associated with participation in qualifying supervised activities. For children eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, the age limit is raised by two years and an additional $500 non-refundable amount is provided. Should federal government take the leadership role financially? The Federal Conservative Government has taken a financial leadership role and will continue to do so through The Canada Council for the Arts, a federal, arm's-length Crown corporation created by an Act of Parliament in 1957 (Canada Council for the Arts Act) "to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts." A Conservative Government accomplishment under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. The Canada Council offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations in music, theatre, writing and publishing, visual arts, dance, media arts and integrated (multidisciplinary) arts. It also seeks to raise public awareness of the arts through its communications, research and arts promotion activities. The Canada Council awards prizes and fellowships every year to some 200 artists and scholars. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Public Lending Right Commission operate within the Canada Council. The Canada Council Art Bank contains some 18,000 works of contemporary Canadian art that are rented to the public and private sectors. The Canada Council is governed by an 11-member Board. The Chair, the members of the Board and the Director of the Canada Council are appointed by the Governor in Council for fixed terms. The Canada Council relies heavily on the advice of artists and arts professionals from all parts of Canada (some 750 serve annually as jurors, or peer assessors, in the awarding of grants) and works in close co-operation with federal, provincial and municipal cultural agencies and departments. The Council reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage. The annual budget allocation from Parliament is supplemented by endowment income, donations and bequests. I will continue to support the Arts in Pickering / Uxbridge Would arts centres be considered infrastructure projects? Yes Arts Centres are considered in the current New Build Canada Program. They are funded through The Federal Gas Tax Fund, which is a permanent and predictable funding for municipalities and Regions, an arts center could be funded with the support of the region and its municipalities. The annual guaranteed funding in Durham is: Recipient 2015-2016 \| Allocation Ajax, Town of $3,173,513 Clarington, Municipality of $2,448,122 Durham, Regional Municipality of $17,605,789 Pickering, City of $2,568,953 Oshawa, City of $4,331,933 Scugog, Township of $624,539 Uxbridge, Township of $597,148 Whitby, Town of $3,533,198 I would suggest that a discussion takes place with the Region of Durham to see if a partnership can be developed. Having said this, when elected, I will, work diligently with stakeholders to support the Durham Arts Center.		RYAN KELLY NDP Candidate for Whitby Riding Most Canadians believe that the Arts are important to the Quality of Life, yet funding for the arts takes a back seat. We were wondering if you will / if you support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle? Arts are central to our Canadian culture and lifestyle. We will restore funding to the CBC, and ensure that stable funding exists for our national broadcaster into the future. I have been instrumental in helping the Living Room Community Art Studio received funding from OSSTF, ETFO, and the durham region labour council. I attend as often as possible with my kids to make art! I hope to do more to support our local arts scene. Living in Peterborough while completing a degree spoiled me! Should federal government take the leadership role financially? Absolutely! Art studios, museums, galleries should be community hubs, open and available to the public. Would arts centres be considered infrastructure projects? This makes sense. Are they not currently? Please provide more information on if this is currently considered so, or why it is not. Comments you would like to add? We are the only party to have an arts caucus! CELINA CAESAR-CHAVANNES, EMBA, MBA Liberal Candidate, Whitby Most Canadians believe that the Arts are important to the Quality of Life, yet funding for the arts takes a back seat. We were wondering if you will / if you support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle? My daughter Candice is a budding artist and values her time with paint and canvass www.candycoatedart.com. At nine years old, she turned her hobby into a small business and has been excited about her creations ever since. Our party and Leader, Justin Trudeau, are deeply committed to supporting Canada’s arts sector and believe in the need for longterm, stable investments in this sector. We recognize the valuable contributions that this medium produces both at home and abroad. In addition to being an economic driver and providing Canadians with high paying, secure jobs, they ensure that Canadian culture is preserved and promoted. Canadian-produced media has a fundamental role in Canadian society, highlighting stories about what it means to be Canadian and making sure we remember that the things that bind us together as a country are much more powerful than any differences and divisions. Should federal government take the leadership role financially? To support creativity, it is crucial to adopt fiscal measures which will provide better and more stable revenue for our artists and creators and, in concert with the provinces, to provide the kind of training which will prepare many of them to be efficient entrepreneurs in the new digital environment. A Liberal government would also evaluate the level of resources required for the Copyright Board to deliver on its mandate in a timely fashion. We believe in the need for long-term, stable investments across the arts and culture sector. Under the Conservative government, funding for the arts in Canada has steadily eroded, with major cuts to initiatives such as CBC programs that that help bring an artist’s work to life and to audiences at home and abroad. The Liberal Party believes it is important to invest in infrastructure in order to ensure a strong and growing economy. This includes investing in cultural infrastructure to favour creativity and public access by modernizing our aging venues to take advantage of the new digital technologies. Comments you would like to add? Additionally, a Liberal government will reverse the ideological cuts made to CBC/Radio-Canada and provide stable, long-term funding because we know a strong public broadcaster is a critical part of maintaining Canada’s cultural identity and essential to the advancement of the domestic production industry. We will ensure that there is a long-term, robust, and predictable funding plan to support our public broadcaster. Cutting funding to the CBC/R-C is wrongheaded, and only serves to undermine our ability to capture and broadcast Canada’s unique culture, history and diversity. Craig Cameron Green Party Candidate Whitby Most Canadians believe that the Arts are important to the Quality of Life, yet funding for the arts takes a back seat. We were wondering if you will / if you support the Arts and the role it plays in our lifestyle? I am a huge supporter of the arts. My spouse and I believe that exposing our son to as much arts and culture as possible is essential to his continuing growth and participation in the community. Arts and culture are essential to Canadian identity. Even more than that, Canada’s arts and culture sector is an important economic driver that requires serious attention from the Department of Industry and Heritage Canada. Our vibrant arts and culture industry has the potential to diversify and expand, generating billions of dollars of lucrative commercial activities and countless jobs. A nation relies on its artists to tell its own story and shape its identity. Canadians are enthusiastic readers, listeners, and viewers, but we recognize that culture also needs public support to thrive. Arts organizations, especially the Canada Council for the Arts and the CBC, require steady, predictable federal funding. Public broadcasting is a vital tool for an informed and effective citizenry, as well as an important counterweight to media concentration. Many Canadian artists, writers, and performers have international followings, but assistance is still needed to give local talent a fair opportunity to compete in the global marketplace. Ensuring that our cultural sector remains strong is essential to our quality of life, and delivers economic benefits as an encore. Green MPs will stand up for the arts. Should federal government take the leadership role financially? In short, yes. The Green Party will increase funding for the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada, and our orchestras, theatres, and publishers, to bring public support for arts and culture in line with other industries. To protect the independence of Canada’s arts and culture institutions from political influence, we will establish arm’slength committees made up of various diverse stakeholders representative of Canadian society to appoint the heads of Canada’s cultural organizations such as the CRTC, the Canada Council for the Arts, the CBC, and Telefilm Canada. To support individual artists and workers, we will seek increased funding incentives for artists and art events to tour Canada’s rural regions and for arts and culture programs in schools. We will also protect Canada’s cultural identity during trade negotiations and change the Canada Revenue Act to allow arts and culture workers to benefit from a tax averaging plan that will take into account variable annual incomes in the sector. The Green Party of Canada recognizes the vital role that the Canada Council for the Arts plays in developing, sustaining, and promoting Canadian culture in all its diversity. An arm’slength Council with stable, adequate funding is key to providing Canadians with affordable access to their cultural heritage. The Green Party supports the call of many arts organizations to gradually increase the Canada Council for the Arts’ Parliamentary appropriation with the longterm goal of reaching $300 million. This is a worthwhile investment in Canadian arts. Would arts centres be considered infrastructure projects? As a Green MP with a 'non-whipped' voice I would agree to this measure. Arts centres are an integral part of a vibrant community and as such should be considered vital infrastructure. Comments you would like to add? The federal government has a number of roles to play to ensure that Canadian artists thrive in both traditional and digital media and that Canadians have access to their work. The government needs to work both to modernize existing structures, such as copyright and Canadian content quotas, and to look at new ways to help Canadian artists succeed. The Green Party believes that this can best be done by taking a holistic look at our programs, funding, legislation, and regulation to explore how we can best maintain and grow a strong environment for art in Canada. The Green Party supports the Canadian Arts Coalition’s call for a House of Commons committee to conduct this review, with an aim to establishing a comprehensive Canadian Cultural Digital Strategy.

PineRidge Arts Council Inc., a not-for-profit (Public Benefit Corporation) volunteer organization.

PineRidge Arts Council
650 Kingston Road
P.O. Box 18258 Steeple Hill Postal Outlet
Pickering, Ontario L1V 1A0
Canada

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