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

Creative Economy, Indigenous Culture, the  150th anniversary of Confederation and Historic Places Are at the  Heart of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Collaboration

Ministers  responsible for culture and heritage lay the foundation for renewed  co-operation

July 6, 2016 – Victoria

 Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for culture and  heritage met face to face today during an annual meeting to discuss their  priorities, exchange ideas and strengthen relationships.

 Following the meeting, which was co-hosted by the  Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, ministers  committed to:

 

   
• Continue to make efforts to stimulate the creative  economy. Governments, with the support of various partners, will undertake  feasibility studies to further expand Canada's Culture Satellite Account. The  goal is to provide a broader and richer source of data for key stakeholders,  and Canadians in general, about the value and importance of culture in Canada's  economy. Ministers also wish to raise more awareness of the importance of  viable cultural infrastructure as a way to stimulate our creativity, improve  our quality of life and have tangible impacts on our economy.
   
   
• Reflect on the recommendations of the Truth and  Reconciliation Commission of Canada and significant action that could be taken  in this regard. All governments shared their plans to explore how culture can  help pave the way to reconciliation and strengthen relationships with  Indigenous peoples.
   
   
• Celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary  of Confederation. All governments will continue to work collaboratively on  preparing for this important milestone. 2017 will be a year-long pan-Canadian  event highlighting our culture and heritage, creating opportunities to come  together, and generating economic benefits for our communities.
   
   
• Continue to support the conservation and  protection of historic places in Canada. Ministers will strengthen their  ongoing collaboration to ensure these witnesses of the past remain important  aspects for the development of the modern, prosperous and creative Canada of  tomorrow.

 

British Columbia closed the meeting by passing the  torch to Quebec, which will host the 2017 ministerial conference.

 

Quick Facts

   
• Arts, culture and heritage represent $54.6 billion  in the Canadian economy and more than 630,000 jobs.
   
   
• The Culture Satellite Account is a statistical  framework created to better measure the economic importance of culture, arts,  heritage and sport in the Canadian economy.
   
   
• The Culture Satellite Account expansion  feasibility studies represent a combined annual investment of close to $250,000  from the Government of Canada, all provinces and territories. The objective is  to develop more in-depth data on culture trade, culture tourism, digital  products, volunteerism and heritage conservation, as well as an economic impact  model.
   
   
• In June 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation  Commission of Canada released its findings and 94 Calls to Action aimed at redressing the legacy of  residential schools and fostering reconciliation in Canada.
   
   
• The Canada 150 Fund has an overall budget of $210  million. Through the Fund, the Government of Canada will continue to make strategic  investments in activities that support the vision of Canada's 150th anniversary  of Confederation and encourage Canadians to participate directly. All provinces  and territories are also participating in the celebration of the 150th  anniversary of Confederation.
   
   
• In Canada, there are more  than 12,000 historic sites listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places,  representing thousands of years of history and the building of our country.

Quotes from Co-Chairing Ministers

 "British  Columbia is honoured to co-host this meaningful meeting between the provinces  and territories and the federal government. Collectively, we join with all  Canadians to celebrate the fact that all of our provinces and territories have  a rich and diverse culture, including all First Nations, Inuit and Métis  peoples. Arts and culture are at the heart of the creative economy, one of the  most rapidly growing sectors in the world. People working in the creative  sector help to drive the economy and contribute to healthy and vibrant communities."

 —The  Honorable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural  Development for British Columbia

"Working together to promote the value of culture and heritage is key to making  our country stronger. Canada's upcoming 150th anniversary of  Confederation is an important moment in our history, a great opportunity to  unite in our diversity and show our country at its best. Our collaborations  will contribute to a richer, more creative tomorrow and provide lasting  legacies for future generations."

—The  Honorable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Associated Links

 Canadian  Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat
Culture Satellite Account
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Canada 150
Canadian Register of Historic Places (Parks Canada)

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For more information  (media only), please contact:

Media Contact
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
Province of British Columbia
250 888-1462

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media  Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

Media  Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca