M-129 Funding for the arts

That:

(a) the House recognize that,

(i) the arts and artists enhance community health and well-being by promoting social inclusion, improving mental health, and supporting underrepresented communities through advocacy, visibility, and intercultural dialogue,

(ii) artists and arts organizations in Canada strengthen communities from coast to coast to coast by providing meaningful cultural experiences for local residents and tourists,

(iii) arts and culture contributed $54.8 billion to Canada’s GDP and 914,000 jobs, representing 4.4% of all Canadian workers in 2021,

(iv) consistent, reliable, and long-term funding empowers organizations and artists to better strategize and plan for their future endeavors,

(v) public data reveals substantial regional inequities in federal funding provided through the Canada Council for the Arts,

(vi) the Regional Development Agency model has proven successful in other areas of government funding, and could serve to ensure a more equitable geographic distribution of federal resources,

(vii) artists from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups face numerous barriers in accessing funding, and public funding is integral to their success; and

(b) in the opinion of the House, the government should,

(i) consider the advisability of restoring the Canada Council for the Arts' granting budget to $500 million annually to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources while maintaining existing funding commitments,

(ii) consider amending the Canada Council for the Arts Act to adopt the use of the Regional Development Agency model to ensure equitable regional funding,

(iii) meaningfully consult with diverse and historically underfunded communities to ensure equitable regional funding nationwide is balanced with increased funding accessibility for artists and arts organizations from underrepresented and equity-deserving backgrounds.