Author: Scott Dermody

  • CAC advocates to extend the CERB program for arts workers

    On learning that the government was introducing a bill to introduce changes to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)  this week, the Coalition took the opportunity to encourage all parties to extend the benefit beyond its current end date of October 3, 2020.  In letters sent to government Ministers as well as to critics in…

  • Our letter to Minister Guilbeault

    We have seen great responsiveness to the concerns of the arts and culture sector at the federal level, and sent a letter of thanks to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, included below. Hon. Steven Guilbeault, PC, MP Minister of Canadian Heritage Via Email Dear Minister Guilbeault: Thank you for recognizing the vital role of Canada’s…

  • Canada Announces Emergency Support for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations

    Canadian cultural, heritage and sport organizations are facing significant financial losses due to COVID-19. They have lost potential revenues from closed facilities or cancelled events. Meanwhile, they are facing challenges accessing Canada’s broader support measures such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy because of unique seasonal revenues and costs. The new COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund…

  • Thank you Kate Cornell!

    The Canadian Arts Coalition extends its deepest gratitude to Kate Cornell for eight years of incredible service and leadership, following her recent resignation as a Co-Chair, and a member, of the Steering Committee. Thank you, Kate, for your tireless dedication to the arts in Canada! Arts Day on the Hill Fall 2020 dates are being considered for Arts Day…

  • Pre-budget submission

    The Canadian Arts Coalition participated in the 2020 pre-budget consultations by providing a written submission that echoes messages from the Coalition’s federal election platform, and its summer 2019 pre-budget submission. CAC recommendations to the Government of Canada: 1. Sustain investments in the Canada Council for the Arts through 2024-25 2. Increase Department of Canadian Heritage…

  • Senate Report Puts Cultural Diplomacy at the Front Stage

    The Canadian Arts Coalition welcomes the conclusion of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade that “cultural diplomacy should be a pillar of Canada’s foreign policy”. The Coalition has long argued that arts and culture are foreign policy assets and has encouraged successive governments to develop and fund a comprehensive strategy to…

  • Canadian Arts Coalition’s Federal Election Platform 2019

    Arts and culture are integral to the well-being and daily life of all Canadians. The Government of Canada plays a critical leadership role, and thanks to its well-placed incentives, tax measures and direct investments, additional support is leveraged from other public and private sources. Canadians of all walks of life, including women and gender minorities,…

  • Budget 2019 Will Deliver More Arts Events in Canadian Communities

    The Canadian Arts Coalition (CAC) is pleased to see the government commit to a $16 million increase of the Canadian Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) over two years in the 2019 Federal Budget as well as an impressive amount of other increases for the sector. The CAC advocated for this targeted investment in the creative value…

  • Open Letter: Performing Arts Presenters Need Better Support

    The letter was published in La Presse Plus, on January 17, 2019. Ah, winter! For many Canadians, the season would surely be synonymous with hibernation were it not for the exceptional contribution of the arts – and of culture in general – during the cold season. With only a few days to go before the opening…