Creative Canada: Minister Joly Reiterates the Government's Vision for the Future of Canada's Creative Industries at an Event in Calgary
Creative Canada is the federal government's new plan for supporting Canadian creators, delivering their content to a wide and diverse audience at home and abroad, and ensuring that there is always a space for the diversity of Canadian voices
CALGARY, Nov. 17, 2017 /CNW/ - In September, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, launched Creative Canada: the Government of Canada's vision for the future of Canadian creative industries.
During an event today at the National Music Centre, Minister Joly reiterated the main themes of the government's vision for Creative Canada, Canada's first-ever strategy to strengthen the country's diverse and vibrant creative sector. The renewed policy approach rests on three pillars: investing in Canadian creators and creative industry professionals, promoting the discovery and distribution of Canadian content at home and globally, and working to strengthen public broadcasting and support local news.
Initiatives outlined in the Creative Canada approach include:
- Support for creators and production in all regions of the country through increased funding to the Canadian Media Fund, starting in 2018. This will ensure continued production of major creations such as the supernatural horror series Wynonna Earp, produced by Seven24 Films in Calgary and now in its third season.
- A total of $125 million over five years to support Canada's first export strategy for creative industries. This includes Minister Joly leading Canada's first creative industries trade mission to China in April 2018.
- Support for Canadian artists and musicians, through additional investments in the Canada Music Fund as well as the review and modernization of existing funding programs. This year, additional assistance through Alberta Music—a provincial association presenting emerging Canadian artists on the international stage—allowed seven Calgary musicians to perform at major international events.
The arts and culture sector is a $54.6-billion industry and a cornerstone of Canada's economy. In Alberta, it generates sales of $5.7 billion and represents more than 55,000 quality jobs. These jobs are vital to our economy, and through Creative Canada, the Government of Canada will ensure that they remain sustainable well into the future.
Quotes
"Canadians are fiercely proud of our creators and creative industry professionals. Culture is an essential part of our economy, and helps build our identity, pride and shared sense of values. Canada's creative sector supports countless high-quality jobs that help grow our middle class and support families all across the country. Through Creative Canada, we will enact policies that help our creators and cultural entrepreneurs address the challenges of today's digital reality, and ensure that Canada's voice is heard loud and strong on the world stage."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Quick Facts
Canada's creative sector grows our country's economy and provides important jobs that help support the middle class.
The arts and culture sector provides direct jobs for more than 630,000 Canadians, as well as countless spin-off jobs created as a result of cultural production.
Creative Canada supports high-quality content in both English and French for audiences in Canada and around the world.
In 2014, culture contributed $5.7 billion to Alberta's economy, generating 1.6 percent of the province's gross domestic product. The 55,518 jobs linked to culture account for 2.4 percent of all jobs in Alberta.
The Government of Canada has invested $1.9 billion in arts and culture, currently the largest investment of any G7 country.
The creative industries trade mission to China in 2018 will support cultural organizations and businesses looking to build new partnerships and business relationships.
Associated Links
Speech—Launch of Creative Canada
Creative Canada Policy Framework
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
For further information: (media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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