Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Meet to Discuss Culture and Heritage Priorities

HALIFAX, June 19, 2019 – Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for culture and heritage held their annual meeting to discuss their governments' priorities and opportunities to collaborate for 2019–2020. The meeting, which took place in Halifax this year, was co-chaired by the Honourable Leo A. Glavine, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage of Nova Scotia and the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.

This annual meeting fosters positive relations between governments, and supports the preservation, growth and development of the culture and heritage sectors in Canada. Annual ministerial meetings provide the opportunity for governments to address common priorities, as well as to seize new opportunities related to the arts, culture and heritage.

This year's ministerial meeting focused on strengthening the creative economy, strengthening culture and heritage infrastructure and resources and strengthening culture and heritage promotion in Canada.

Ministers acknowledged that creative industries play an important role in creating jobs across Canada and in enhancing our country's prosperity and image abroad. Ministers discussed the need for funding in support of promoting creative industries to international markets, and to showcase our talent throughout the world. The objective is supported, among other initiatives, by the Government of Canada's Creative Export Strategy, launched a year ago, and also by trade missions and the funding available to maximize the export potential of our creative industries.

Ministers also discussed Canada's participation as Guest of Honour at the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair—an event rich in literary, cultural, tourism and commercial opportunities—as providing the country as a whole the potential to promote cultural industries internationally.

Ministers discussed key initiatives relating to investments in cultural infrastructure, and the shared goal to promote and attract foreign direct investment to Canada. In this regard, ministers underlined the critical role of intergovernmental collaboration to strengthen, support and modernize culture and heritage infrastructure projects.

Ministers recognized that cultural infrastructure and cultural spaces bring people together, providing creative talent with access to shared space, equipment and other resources to develop the skills needed to thrive in, and contribute to, the creative economy. They encourage innovation and collaboration among artists, creators, cultural entrepreneurs and industry, helping generate new markets for Canadian creativity in all its forms.

Ministers had the opportunity to exchange ideas with a special guest from The Manitoba Museum who presented their internationally recognized Education Kits for Northern Communities and We Are All Treaty People, two initiatives that illustrate the significant role and impact museums can have in supporting reconciliation.

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers agreed that they continue engagement in the near future to deal with the challenges presented by the change in the way consumers access cultural products, especially with regard to the retention of local content.

Before the FPT meeting, ministers met with representatives of national Indigenous organizations. The session focused on learning more about Indigenous Peoples' views on Indigenous languages and the links between language and culture, the engagement of Indigenous youth in culture and heritage, and how to help foster cultural exchanges between Indigenous communities. The ongoing dialogue and exchange of information is valuable for all parties and for continuing to build relations moving forward.

Provincial and territorial ministers also met in advance of the FPT meeting. They discussed opportunities to collaborate on provincial and territorial involvement in the Frankfurt 2020 Book Fair. In addition, the provincial and territorial ministers agreed to a common statement of objectives for the culture sector in the context of the review of the Copyright Act.

FPT ministers are encouraged by the level of collaboration and hope to continue working together on shared priorities. The next meeting will be hosted by Alberta in 2020.

Quotes from the ministerial co-chairs

 "This annual meeting is a great forum for in-depth discussions on arts, culture and heritage. It ensures that our governments continue to collaborate on common interests and to share perceptions, experiences, insight and knowledge. It allows us to focus on what is most important for the cultural sector and for all Canadians."
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

"It has been an honour to host the FPT Ministers responsible for culture and heritage from across the country here in Nova Scotia. The discussions that took place were extremely valuable as we all work to strengthen culture and heritage within our jurisdictions. This meeting has allowed for continued collaboration on common goals and has presented opportunities to work together on upcoming initiatives."
—The Honourable Leo A. Glavine, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage of Nova Scotia

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Highlights

The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Conference of Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage is held annually and provides an opportunity to strengthen Canada's culture and heritage sector by broaching topics of common interest and determining ways that partners can work together.

Culture brings wide benefits to Canadians and their communities, while making a significant contribution to the nation's economy. Culture GDP in Canada in 2017 was $53.1 billion, with jobs in culture totalling 666,474.

Canada exported $16 billion of culture products in 2016. This represented 2.5 percent of total exports and almost 30 percent of culture GDP.

Related Products

Culture Satellite Account – Trade of Culture and Sport Products for 2010–2016
Culture Satellite Account – Provincial and Territorial Culture Indicators for 2017

Associated Links

Creative Export Strategy
Culture Satellite Account

Contacts

Simon Ross
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

Carla Grant
Director of Communications
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
902-424-1593
carla.grant@novascotia.ca