EQUIFLASH [FEDERAL BUDGET TABLED MARCH 4th]

[CAEA e-drive]

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FEDERAL BUDGET TABLED MARCH 4th
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The long anticipated 2010-2011 budget was tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

It appears that there is very little in the way of new funding or programming for the live-performance sector. 

The government did announce "In 2010-11, the Government will provide $1.3 billion in support to affected sectors, including forestry, agriculture, small business, tourism, shipbuilding and culture. These investments will help to maintain and create jobs across the country." However, the budget does not go into any detail about how this culture funding will be allocated, and it appears that this support references already existing (or already announced) spending, not new monies.

The government largely ignored investment in arts and culture as an economic stimulus tool, and failed to capitalize on the increasing importance of the creative economy in the overall economic health of the country.

Funding for the Canada Council remains stable as announced previously by Heritage Minister James Moore. 

Read more:
CBC - Budget fails to impress arts groups: 
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2010/03/04/budget-arts-reax.html

CCA Bulletin - 2010 Federal Budget: The Action Plan Winding Down, but Administrative Reform Ramping Up: http://www.ccarts.ca/en/advocacy/bulletins/2010/0710.htm

Text of Budget 2010: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2010/pdf/budget-planbudgetaire-eng.pdf
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