February 13, 2019 – Last month, we reported that 12 Members of Parliament had written to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Finance to express their support for an increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Canadian Arts Coalition and of Festivals and Major Events, this number nearly doubled.
24 MPs are now supporting a CAPF increase! (see the list)
In addition, we also have the attention and support of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez. Further to our collective open letter, Minister Rodriguez published a reply in which he said he had heard our plea. But the most important manifestation of support came last week. In a letter to Festival and Major Events, Minister Rodriguez affirmed: “You can count on my support.” He further indicated that he had forwarded our file to the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance.
The next and final chapter in this flawless, 8-month advocacy marathon will be the tabling of the federal budget, which is expected to take place during the third week of March.
Recap of the advocacy campaign
| 2017 | The Canadian Arts Coalition first includes the Canada Arts Presentation Fund within its policy recommendations for the government |
| July 2018 | The Canadian Arts Coalition submits a pre-budget brief requesting a $30 million increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. |
| October 2018 | 100 arts advocates meet Members of Parliament during Arts Day on the Hill. |
| October 2018 – February 2019 | Further to Arts Day and individual meetings, several MPs write letters to express support for an increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. |
| October – November 2018 | Members of the Canadian Arts Coalition and of partner associations appear before the Standing Committee on Finance as part of the pre-budget consultations |
| December 2018 | The Standing Committe on Finance recommends an increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund in its pre-budget report. |
| January 2019 | The Canadian Arts Coalition and partner associations publish an open letter. The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism replies a few days later. |
| February 2019 | The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism confirms his support in a letter to Festivals and Major Events. |
List of Members of Parliament who support a CAPF increase
These Members of Parliament endorsed an increase for the CAPF as a result of meetings with members of either the Canadian Arts Coalition (C) or Festivals and Major Events (F).
- Rachel Blaney, North Island — Powell River C
- Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, Hochelaga F
- Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Whitby C
- Guy Caron, Rimouski-Neigette — Témiscouata — Les Basques C
- Sean Casey, Charlottetown C
- Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Saint-Maurice — Champlain F
- Matt DeCourcey, Fredericton C
- Francis Drouin, Glengarry — Prescott — Russell F
- Julie Dzerowicz, Davenport C
- Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Beaches-East York F
- Greg Fergus, Hull — Aylmer C
- Andy Fillmore, Halifax C
- Mona Fortier, Ottawa — Vanier C
- Colin Fraser, West Nova C
- Hon. Bernadette Jordan, South Shore — St. Margarets C
- Hélène Laverdière, Laurier — Sainte-Marie F
- Joël Lightbound, Louis-Hébert F
- Hon. Catherine McKenna, Ottawa Centre C
- Steven McKinnon, Gatineau F
- Pierre Nantel, Longueuil — Saint-Hubert F
- Monique Pauzé, Repentigny C
- Jean Rioux, Saint-Jean F
- Raj Saini, Kitchener Centre C
- Gabriel Sainte-Marie, Joliette F