Arts adds over $84-billion to economy: study by David Akin
Source : National Post
August 26, 2008
OTTAWA -- More than a million Canadians owe their livelihood to Canada's cultural sector, the Conference Board of Canada said Tuesday in a study it said was the most comprehensive look at the economic impact of the arts in Canada.
The Conference Board, an independent Ottawa-based think tank, said cultural industries accounted for $84.6-billion worth of economic activity in 2007, about 7.4% of the country's gross domestic product.
Federal support of the arts has recently become a hot political issue after the Conservative government announced cuts of about $50-million over the next few years to programs that supported cultural workers.
"Countries around the world, as well as many cities and regions, recognize that a dynamic culture sector plays a key role as a magnet for talent, enhances economic output, and acts as a catalyst for prosperity," said Michael Bloom, a Conference Board vice-president.
Cultural industries employed about 616,000 people in 2003, the Conference Board said, almost 4% of national employment. However, the culture sector contributed a total of 1.1 million jobs when direct, and indirect effects are taken into account.
Earlier this year, Parliament approved total spending on cultural programs, like the CBC and the Canada Arts Council, of more than $4 billion. That's about 19% more than the Liberals spent in their last year in office in 2005-06.
Critics of the Conservatives, though, say a large proportion of that spending is for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the celebration of Quebec City's 400th anniversary.
© National Post
The Conference Board, an independent Ottawa-based think tank, said cultural industries accounted for $84.6-billion worth of economic activity in 2007, about 7.4% of the country's gross domestic product.
Federal support of the arts has recently become a hot political issue after the Conservative government announced cuts of about $50-million over the next few years to programs that supported cultural workers.
"Countries around the world, as well as many cities and regions, recognize that a dynamic culture sector plays a key role as a magnet for talent, enhances economic output, and acts as a catalyst for prosperity," said Michael Bloom, a Conference Board vice-president.
Cultural industries employed about 616,000 people in 2003, the Conference Board said, almost 4% of national employment. However, the culture sector contributed a total of 1.1 million jobs when direct, and indirect effects are taken into account.
Earlier this year, Parliament approved total spending on cultural programs, like the CBC and the Canada Arts Council, of more than $4 billion. That's about 19% more than the Liberals spent in their last year in office in 2005-06.
Critics of the Conservatives, though, say a large proportion of that spending is for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the celebration of Quebec City's 400th anniversary.
© National Post
