EQUIFLASH [ADVOCACY ALERT: BOOSTING THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR]

[CAEA e-drive]

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ADVOCACY ALERT: BOOSTING THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR
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Equity continues to advocate for the arts and culture sector by
communicating the needs of our members to policy-makers at all levels of
government. Most recently, Equity has presented two Ontario ministries with
recommendations to strengthen the arts and culture sector.

While this work may appear Ontario-centric, if Equity is successful and
makes headway and/or effects change in Ontario, it would be our intention to
propagate these same recommendations/ideas/principles to other provinces
across Canada. Such is our current intent with Bill 17, An Act to Protect
Child Performers, passed in Ontario in 2015.

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** Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) Provincial Culture
Strategy **
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The Ontario government has been consulting on the development of a
Provincial Culture Strategy. The government hopes to have a draft policy
document ready by June 2016.

Equity responded to a draft discussion paper issued by the Ministry and also
attended a community consultation: http://bit.ly/1Z4an3x (PDF)

Here are some interesting points in regards to the process:
• This will be Ontario’s first culture strategy and the first time there has
been a conversation with Ontarians on the value of culture in their lives
and communities.
• The culture strategy will set the government’s priorities and actions to
support the culture sector over the next five years.
• The arts policy framework will be a key part of the culture strategy. It
will be a tool or lens to ensure consideration of artists and arts
organizations in other policy and program areas across government.
• The ministry currently supports four culture sectors: arts, cultural
industries (music, interactive digital media, film and television, and book
and magazine publishing), heritage (including community museums and
archaeology) and public libraries.
• Consultations will focus on these sectors but will seek input on other
aspects of culture that may be important to individuals and communities
(e.g. fashion, intangible heritage).

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** Ontario Ministry of Labour Changing Workplace Review **
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The Ontario government has also been consulting on non-standard working
relationships. A final report and recommendations are expected in Summer
2016.

The live performance sector is composed of a transient workforce, one in
which workers perform in multiple contexts, quickly change from worksite to
worksite and constantly shift work environments. Equity members cope without
the assurance of income security that comes with stable employment and
regular hours of work in addition to the risks inherent in transient
employment and variable workplaces. Equity members are experts at
non-standard working relationships. The Association appeared before the
review panel in early fall 2015 and made several recommendations.

Equity's recommendations: http://bit.ly/1Q8saoG (PDF)

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Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria St., 12th floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
communications at caea.com
http://www.caea.com

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