NDP election platform makes familiar promises on arts and culture

The federal NDP’s election platform, unveiled yesterday (April 9), echoes the Liberal Party’s pledges on arts and culture.

Both parties appear to have been paying attention to the Canadian Arts Coalition, which is calling for an increase the annual budget of the Canada Council for the Arts to $300 million; and a new market access and development fund.

The NDP says it will increase funding for the Canada Council and implement tax averaging for artists and cultural workers; explore the creation of a new international touring fund; implement a matching grant for Canadian museums, historic buildings and heritage lighthouses; introduce tax incentives for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings; provide stable, long-term funding to the CBC and other public broadcasters.

The NDP cost breakdown earmarks $25 million over the next four years for “placing museums on a strong footing”; and an initial $30 million next year for “restoring support for Canadian Culture” that doubles the following year, and reaches $90 million for 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Last week, the Liberals said they would double the annual budget of the Canada Council for the Arts from $180 million to $360 million over the next four years; restore the PromArt and Trade Routes programs and increase their funding to $25 million; create a domestic tours program; and provide the CBC and Radio-Canada with “stable and predictable funding”.

Comments

1 Comments

cuz

Apr 11, 2011 at 8:55pm

Apparently everyone except the NDP knew a couple of weeks ago there was going to be an election. A little late to the party aren't they?? Is this the type of government we can expect them to run?

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