Conservatives are big fans of culture, arts by Jim Flaherty
Source : Toronto Star
August 26, 2008
Re:Politicians may want to take cover,
Aug. 20
I would like to inform Martin Knelman that I plan on attending the Toronto International Film Festival again this year. It is a personal highlight, but more importantly, it is a world-renowned event that allows us to showcase some of the best and brightest Canadian filmmakers. That's why our government contributed $25 million toward the Festival Centre.
Our government is a strong supporter of the arts and culture. In 2007-08, we invested close to $2.31 billion through a number of programs from Canadian Heritage and portfolio agencies; a nearly 8 per cent increase since we formed the government. What's more, that's more than the old Liberal government ever did in 13 years in power!
In 2007, we invested $30 million per year on an ongoing basis to support festivals and activities celebrating heritage and local arts. Through this program, we provided $1 million in funding for the 2008 Luminato Festival in Toronto.
In addition, our government has provided $128,400 in funding for the Royal Ontario Museum and $14 million to 16 national arts-training organizations that support the development of promising artists in Toronto, Hamilton and on Manitoulin Island. We have also increased our support to the Canada Council for the Arts by $30 million on an ongoing basis. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does demonstrate our commitment to Canadian culture and the arts.
As the government, we also have a responsibility to Canadian taxpayers to ensure that all programs are relevant, efficient and provide real value for money. This is why we have decided to discontinue certain programs that had either reached their objectives, had high administration costs, had poor performance, or did not give satisfactory results. I make no apologies for protecting taxpayers' dollars.
Mr. Knelman, our government believes culture and the arts are a cornerstone of Canadian society and should be nurtured and supported.
Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the GTA
© Toronto Star
Aug. 20
I would like to inform Martin Knelman that I plan on attending the Toronto International Film Festival again this year. It is a personal highlight, but more importantly, it is a world-renowned event that allows us to showcase some of the best and brightest Canadian filmmakers. That's why our government contributed $25 million toward the Festival Centre.
Our government is a strong supporter of the arts and culture. In 2007-08, we invested close to $2.31 billion through a number of programs from Canadian Heritage and portfolio agencies; a nearly 8 per cent increase since we formed the government. What's more, that's more than the old Liberal government ever did in 13 years in power!
In 2007, we invested $30 million per year on an ongoing basis to support festivals and activities celebrating heritage and local arts. Through this program, we provided $1 million in funding for the 2008 Luminato Festival in Toronto.
In addition, our government has provided $128,400 in funding for the Royal Ontario Museum and $14 million to 16 national arts-training organizations that support the development of promising artists in Toronto, Hamilton and on Manitoulin Island. We have also increased our support to the Canada Council for the Arts by $30 million on an ongoing basis. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does demonstrate our commitment to Canadian culture and the arts.
As the government, we also have a responsibility to Canadian taxpayers to ensure that all programs are relevant, efficient and provide real value for money. This is why we have decided to discontinue certain programs that had either reached their objectives, had high administration costs, had poor performance, or did not give satisfactory results. I make no apologies for protecting taxpayers' dollars.
Mr. Knelman, our government believes culture and the arts are a cornerstone of Canadian society and should be nurtured and supported.
Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the GTA
© Toronto Star
