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

Toronto , September 29, 2006 - Canada ’s culture ministers agreed to pursue joint initiatives to foster creative and prosperous communities across the country by developing new and stronger links with culture, tourism and technology.

Strengthening the relationship between the cultural/heritage and tourism sectors, and the impact of new technologies on culture and cultural policy, were among the priorities addressed at this year’s meeting of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage. Held in Toronto, the meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Ontario Culture Minister Caroline Di Cocco. Other issues discussed by the ministers included the socio-economic condition of artists, arts and learning, and cultural investment.

The provincial and territorial ministers expressed their concern and disappointment with the recently announced reductions in federal funding, particularly to the Museums Assistance Program and the Canada Volunteerism Initiative.

All ministers recognized the importance of supporting volunteers in the vital role they play in sustaining cultural activity across the country. It was also recognized that the federal government continues its support for volunteer organizations.

The ministers emphasized how important museums are to the economic vitality and quality of life in communities across the country. The provincial and territorial ministers encouraged the Minister of Canadian Heritage to work cooperatively to develop a new federal museum policy that complements and respects provincial and territorial policies and priorities, and is appropriately resourced.

“ Canada’s New Government is committed to developing a museum policy that will better address today’s challenges and realities,” said Minister Oda. “The Government of Canada is proud to work with the provinces and territories to support creativity and innovation in order to provide Canadians with more opportunities to share their diverse cultural expressions amongst each other and on the world stage.”

“There is a new cultural awakening in Canada, as more and more communities realize that culture fuels the creativity and innovation that are vital to economic prosperity in the 21 st century,” said Minister Di Cocco. “Working together, we will foster a culture that builds a quality of place and a quality of life that every resident and visitor to our country will value and enjoy.”

While in Toronto, the ministers had an opportunity to hear from Charles Landry, one of the world’s leading authorities on cultural planning, heritage issues and the use of culture in urban revitalization.

Recognizing that cultural tourism is a growing trend in the global travel market, the ministers announced the renewal of the Culture/Heritage and Tourism Initiative for two years. A renewed initiative will seek to maximize the phenomenal potential of cultural and heritage tourism. Building on the success of the original collaboration launched in 2003, the initiative will continue to create and promote understanding that the support of Canada’s cultures and the sustainability of tourism are mutually reinforcing.

The ministers also identified technological innovation as another trend that holds great promise for Canada’s cultural sector and cultural consumers. Last August’s Technological Showcase - Montreal 2006 Imaginons notre culture au futur was attended by representatives from 12 governments, demonstrating the extent to which new technologies affect the entire cultural creative process, from creation to consumption, as well as cultural policy. Recognizing the increasingly important role that new technologies play in how Canadians use cultural products, ministers agreed to adopt a joint work plan to further investigate this issue.

Cultural innovation begins with the artist, and the ministers noted the important contribution that artists make to Canada’s social and economic well-being. Learning about and through the arts was further recognized as integral to building creative communities across Canada. The ministers were presented with the findings of an environmental scan on arts and learning, and shared best practices.

The ministers also had a meaningful discussion on the need for sustained cultural investment, and were presented with research findings on best practices to increase funding for arts and culture in Canada, including public and private partnerships (PPP).

The next regular meeting of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers will take place in Saskatchewan in the fall of 2007.

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Information:

Mark Thompson
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of Culture of Ontario
416-325-4071

Nancy Heppner
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788

Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101