EQUIFLASH [ADVOCACY ALERT: 2016 FEDERAL BUDGET TABLED]

[CAEA e-drive]

-----------------‎
ADVOCACY ALERT: 2016 FEDERAL BUDGET TABLED
-----------------
The first budget of the new federal Government was tabled in the House of
Commons by Finance Minister Bill Morneau yesterday. The fiscal blueprint
delivers on many of the arts and culture promises included in the Liberal
party  election platform.

Executive Director Arden R. Ryshpan commented "The current Government
clearly understands that investment in arts and culture is an economic
stimulus tool and is working to capitalize on the importance of the creative
economy in the economic health of the country." Ryshpan added, "Equity is
particularly pleased to see the increases to Canada Council funding and
resources dedicated to increasing the ability of Canadian artists to tour
internationally."

GENERAL OVERVIEW:
Deficit: $29.4 billion this year, $29 billion the next before falling - but
no surplus forecast before the next election.
Debt: Expected to grow by $113 billion by 2020-21, but debt-to-GDP ratio to
stay mostly flat at around 32 per cent.
Growth: Deficit based on 0.4% annual growth - much lower than economists
predict.

ARTS FUNDING:
General: $1.9 billion for arts and culture organizations, including the
Canada Council, Telefilm Canada and the National Arts Centre (over five
years).
Canada Council for the Arts: Investment of $550 million (over five years).

CBC: $675 million to "modernize and revitalize CBC/Radio-Canada in the
digital era." (over five years).

CULTURAL INDUSTRIES SHOWCASED ABROAD: $35 million investment (over two
years), beginning in 2016–17 to support the international promotion of
Canadian artists and cultural industries. This funding will be directed to
assist Canadian foreign missions promotion of Canadian culture on the world
stage as Canada approaches the 150th Anniversary of Confederation.

FURTHER CULTURAL EXPORTS: The Minister of Canadian Heritage will consult
with the industry on how best to continue to support Canadian cultural
exporters over the next year.

CHILDREN'S ARTS TAX CREDIT: Will be cut in half in 2016 and eliminated in
2017. (Note: while well-intended, the Children's arts tax credit was
structured in such a way so that it unfortunately rarely supported lower
income Canadian families' access to cultural activities.)

MORE:
- Budget 2016: http://bit.ly/25mR6hH (PDF download available)
- Budget arts highlights: http://bit.ly/1RkzMm3 (mid-page)
- CBC - Budget boosts funding to Canada Council, CBC: http://bit.ly/22w0Bwf

-----------------
Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria Street, 12th floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
communications at caea.com
www.caea.com

-- 

The foregoing communication is intended only for the use of the individual 
or individuals named above and should not be read by or delivered to any 
other person. Such communication may contain information which is 
privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure. Any 
collection, use, disclosure, forwarding or copying of this communication is 
strictly prohibited. If you have received this information in error, please 
accept our apology and immediately return the communication to the sender 
by electronic mail and destroy the message.

See also Equity's Privacy Policy available at
http://www.caea.com/EquityWeb/Security/Privacy.aspx