MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan, September 7, 2007 – Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for culture and heritage gathered in Moose Jaw to discuss the contribution of arts and culture to the vitality of communities across the country and to explore emerging cultural themes.
At the meeting, co-chaired by the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, and by the Honourable Sandra Morin, Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation for Saskatchewan, the Ministers spoke on issues of common interest, such as r aising awareness about the arts in communities, creating a supportive environment for artists and governments’ support for museums.
“ Canada’s New Government is committed to the development of the arts and culture and to the promotion of Canadian artistic excellence at home and abroad,” said Minister Verner. “We are proud to work together with the provinces and territories to support the enrichment of the cultural life and heritage of Canada’s communities.”
“It is an absolute delight to host the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage in one of Canada’s Cultural Capitals for 2007, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,” said Minister Morin. “ In order to sustain our culture and heritage, it is important that representatives from jurisdictions across the country meet and discuss issues of common interest.”
The importance of articulating the impact of the arts, culture, and heritage on the development of communities and on the well-being of individuals featured prominently on the agenda. Ministers agreed to collaborate on a new project that would focus on measuring and quantifying these benefits.
Ministers received expert reports commissioned by the Working Group on the Impact of New Technology on Cultural Policies and discussed the identified recommendations and follow-up. The submitted reports describe the current environment in the publishing, music, audiovisual and new media sectors, the technological transformations taking place, as well as the challenges for governments on such issues as support methods, regulatory environment and intellectual property. Ministers also approved the Group’s work plan for the coming year, including further study of the topic of public support for cultural industries and the development of an expert report that defines the best practices in this field.
The Ministers discussed the rising importance of cultural tourism domestically and globally, as well as the resultant need to continue developing productive working relationships between the arts, cultural, heritage, and tourism sectors. Ministers were pleased to see the positive effects and considerable progress of the Culture/Heritage and Tourism Initiative. Increased collaboration and sharing of information between the different domains and among jurisdictions, as well as the growing participation of departments and agencies, are contributing to achieving the goal of the initiative to create better understanding and strengthen the ties between culture and tourism.
Following a discussion with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) on the cultural celebrations related to the Games, Ministers unanimously declared that the Games belonged to all Canadians. They also expressed a desire to ensure that the Cultural Olympiad, together with the ceremonies and celebrations of the Games, reflect Canada’s cultural diversity and creativity by providing an opportunity for artists from across the country to showcase their talents. Ministers adopted a resolution to work within their own jurisdictions, as well as collaboratively and with VANOC, to provide support for activities that maximize the cultural, economic, and tourism benefits stemming from the 2010 Winter Games.
Provincial and territorial ministers reiterated their support for the long-term continuation of the Library Book Rate and expressed concerns about the discontinuation of the Exhibit Transportation Services and the need for increased support for museums.
Provincial and territorial ministers responsible for Culture and Heritage met on September 6 with Alan Latourelle, CEO for Parks Canada, to discuss the results to date of the Historic Places Initiative and future directions. The Historic Places Initiative, a federal, provincial, territorial collaboration, notably through the Canadian Register of Historic Places, is aimed at fostering a culture of heritage conservation in Canada. On behalf of Minister Baird, Mr. Latourelle expressed the government's desire to continue this important collaboration. He acknowledged the initiatives put in place by provinces and territories to promote and protect Canada’s heritage.
Ministers recognized the successes of the Historic Places Initiative and agreed that a report on results be presented at the next meeting of Ministers. All jurisdictions agreed to continue with their collaborative work to demonstrate and ensure that Canadians are aware of the contribution that built heritage conservation makes in improving the quality of life in Canada’s communities. Ministers also agreed that future directions for the Initiative would focus on the development of tools with youth and Aboriginal people, and identifying the links between built heritage and community and environmental sustainability. The topic of a National Trust, announced in the 2007 Federal Budget, was discussed by Ministers. Provinces and Territories expressed their wish for further discussions and consultations on its establishment and mandate. Provincial and territorial ministers reiterated their support for additional federal financial investment and incentives for heritage conservation.
Quebec Minister of Culture, Communications and Status of Women, Madame Christine St-Pierre, was pleased to extend an official invitation to her federal, provincial and territorial counterparts to hold the next meeting in Québec City on September 25 and 26, 2008, during celebrations of the 400th anniversary of Québec City, cradle of the French presence in North America.
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Information:
Richard Walker Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages 819 994-5978 |
Donald Boulanger A/Chief, Media Relations Canadian Heritage 819 994-9101 |
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Aidan Morgan |
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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.)