[e-drive]EQUIFLASH [ACTION NEEDED - SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE ARTS - NATIONAL]

[caea-l-admin at list.web.net]

November 15, 2004

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ADVOCACY ALERT - ACTION NEEDED     
SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE ARTS - EMAIL CAMPAIGN 
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This e-mail is a CALL TO ACTION for Equity Members.
 
Stephen Harper, the Leader of the Opposition will be appearing in
Parliament tomorrow - Tuesday, November 16 - and is expected to address
party concerns about accountability in the funding processes at the
Department of Canadian Heritage and with the Tomorrow Starts Today
program.  Equity Members are urged to email a letter (with points
outlined below) to The Hon. Stephen Harper at the Office of the Leader
of the Opposition: Harper.S at parl.gc.ca
 
**
 
Each year, the official opposition can request that a Minister come
before Parliament to defend their portfolio's spending. The Conservative
Party has targeted the Heritage Department and will spend four hours
questioning the value of the Department's direct spending (for example
on the programs including Stabilization, Cultural Spaces Canada, and
Arts Presenters that are part of the Tomorrow Starts Today package) -
and, possibly, funding to cultural agencies, including The Canada
Council.  The Conservatives have indicated that their concerns revolve
around accountability, measurable results, whether the Department's
spending programs are beneficial to the community, and whether they
promote sustainability. They are preparing to mount the same attack on
the extension of "Tomorrow Starts Today" when it comes up for renewal. 
 
To quote a response from Stephen Harper, "The Conservative Party . . .
has several concerns specific to the Tomorrow Starts Today program
package.  While the recipients of the funding may be highly deserving,
we feel that the process is vague and that there is a lack of precision
and detailed criteria demanded in the selection of recipients.  We are
also concerned with the lack of additional goals or objectives regarding
the 2004 renewal of the program.
 
We believe that if we are going to continue funding these organizations,
the government must provide a clear picture concerning the length of the
funding, and the organizations need to establish a clear definition of
their responsibilities and obligations.  Otherwise, the funds should be
recognized as permanent funding programs by the federal government."
 
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

The Tomorrow Starts Today program is administered by Canadian Heritage.
This program was announced in June, 2001 by the Hon. Sheila Copps, as a
three year investment in the arts across Canada.  It was renewed last
year for one further year and it expires on March 30, 2005.  
 
This program has provided $660 million in funding support to the arts
across Canada over the past four years.  It supports the 745,000 artists
and cultural workers in Canada and funds many of the programs that
Equity members utilize on a regular basis, including:
- the  Canada Council for the Arts, $25 million a year which funds core
operations of 800 arts groups across the country, as well as touring
across Canada. 
- Canadian culture abroad, encouraging the export of Canadian cultural
goods and services 
-Cultural Spaces, which funds basic cultural infrastructure renewal 
- many flagship arts training institutions, including the Banff Centre,
the National Theatre School in Montreal, and the National Ballet School.

-Aboriginal arts programs. 
 
YOUR LETTER
 
At a time when the existence of Canadian theatre and the survival of our
artistic community is threatened, the importance of an involved
membership cannot be overstated. Politics and the arts can't be
separated these days. The theatre is an art but it is also a discipline
and an industry. It requires your participation.
 
If you choose to write a letter it should focus on how funding of the
arts benefits you as an artist in this country. 
 
Urge the renewal of Tomorrow Starts Today funding, and thank him for his
statement in support of funding for the arts. 
 
State that the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative also increased badly
needed funding for the Canada Council for the Arts which funds various
arts organizations that in turn support Equity members. 
 
You might consider discussing how Canada has a long history of
supporting the arts and what an invaluable contribution to our society
this has made. Threatened funding cuts will hurt artists and communities
across the country.  
 
Send your letter to The Hon. Stephen Harper at the Office of the Leader
of the Opposition:  Harper.S at parl.gc.ca
CC: Heritage Minister Liza Frulla at frulla.l at parl.gc.ca, and your local
Member of Parliament.
 
DATE AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS.  IF YOU CAN SEND THIS
OUT BEFORE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, THAT WOULD BE MOST EFFECTIVE.
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Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
Tel: 416-867-9165
Fax: 416-867-9246
e-mail: communications at caea.com