The live performance sector plays a vital role in shaping Canada’s cultural identity, contributing significantly to our economy and enriching the lives of Canadians from coast to coast. However, the sector continues to face considerable challenges. At CAPACOA, we believe that sustained and predictable support is essential to ensure the continued vibrancy and accessibility of the arts in Canada.
In response to these challenges, we present a series of recommendations designed to strengthen the foundations of our cultural sector. These recommendations aim to secure long-term investments, enhance the visibility of Canadian festivals, and ensure that arts, culture, and heritage remain a central focus in our national budgetary priorities. We call on the government to recognize the profound impact of the arts and to take decisive action to support its growth and sustainability.
Summary of our recommendations:
- That the government make permanent the supplementary investments of $15.5 million per year in the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) and $7 million per year in the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program. These supplementary funds were first announced in the 2019 budget and subsequently extended and expanded in the 2021, 2023 and 2024 budgets.
- That the government permanently allocate at least 1% of its overall spending towards arts, culture, and heritage. As part of this allocation, we recommend an additional, permanent investment of $270 million into the arts, culture, and heritage sectors, via:
- $140 million to the Canada Council for the Arts
- $130 million to the Department of Canadian Heritage
- That the government create a program dedicated to the growth and the tourism attractiveness of Canadian festivals and events, managed by the regional development agencies and with a $60M annual budget.
“Two-year funding investments simply do not provide enough leeway for … larger, higher-value tours to take off. If the CAPF and BCAH are to truly deliver on their objectives of connecting artists with Canadians in their communities, then the federal government must provide them with stable, predictable funding.”
– Pre-Budget Submission
The recommendations outlined above are crucial for ensuring the resilience and growth of Canada’s arts, culture, and heritage sectors. By making these strategic investments permanent, the government can provide the stability that our sector needs to thrive.
