Insights about the Federal Budget from the perspective of touring and presenting

The 2016 federal budget delivered everything we had been asking for via the Canadian Arts Coalition: doubling of the Canada Council’s budget, re-investment in international market access and lots of money for infrastructures. These historic investments are worth celebrating : we encourage you to share the Arts Coalition’s release and to thank your MP.

CAPACOA prepared a summary of the most important announcements along with insights for the touring and presenting sector (below). We would especially like to bring to your attention the investments for cultural and community infrastructures. If you have a capital project in mind – be it a new construction, renovation or acquisition of equipment – there’s money in the budget for you. Now.

  • $550 million over five years in the Canada Council for the Arts. This will effectively double the Canada Council’s appropriation by 2020-2021. The first installment of $40 million should be delivered to the Canada Council around the end of the summer. The Canada Council stated that this money will be delivered according to the new funding model and the new strategic plan, which will be released in mid-April. 
  • $35 million over two years, beginning in 2016-17 to support the promotion of Canadian artists and cultural industries abroad. This funding will immediately help Canadian foreign missions promote Canadian culture and creativity on the world stage, in particular as Canada approaches the 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Over the next year, the minister of Canadian Heritage will be consulting on how best to continue to support Canadian cultural exporters as they contribute to inclusive growth. We are still seeking further information as to how this money will be delivered.
  • $168.2 million over two years, starting in 2016-17, in the Canada Cultural Space Fund. This Fund supports the renovation and construction of arts, culture, and heritage facilities. This is a new investment, in addition to ongoing funds ($30M per year) that were made permanent in the 2014 budget.
  • $150 million to the Regional Development Agencies over two years, starting in 2016-17, for the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation. This is in addition to investments made in last year’s budget for community infrastructures.
  • $76.9 million over two years to support the construction of cultural and recreational communities on reserve.
  • $165.4 million for the Youth Employment Strategy in 2016-17. This will increase job opportunities for young Canadians in the heritage sector, under the Young Canada Works program. 
  • $114.9 million over two years to support the renewal of the National Arts Centre. This is in addition to investments made in last year’s budget.