An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)
This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.
Status
This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
Summary
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
This enactment creates the position of Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate. It also corrects a reference to the Canada Council for the Arts in the English version of the Parliament of Canada Act .
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill S-202 seeks to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to create the position of a parliamentary visual artist laureate, an officer of the Library of Parliament, who would promote the arts in Canada through various activities like creating art, sponsoring events, and advising the Parliamentary Librarian. The laureate would be selected by the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons from a list of nominees reflecting Canada's diversity and serve a term of up to two years. The aim of the bill is to recognize the importance of visual arts, support artistic expression, and raise the profile of Canadian artists both domestically and internationally.
Conservative
Questioning the bill's timing: The Conservatives question the timing of Bill S-202, given the current economic struggles faced by many Canadians, including rising food bank use and difficulties with housing costs.
Support for the arts: While questioning the bill, members stated that they support arts, culture and heritage and have worked to support artists through their work on the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, though they feel that some artists have been threatened by other legislation like Bill C-11.
Considerations for the position: Members raised questions about the process of selecting the artist laureate, the expected output, and whether the work would reflect Canadian values and identity. They will be listening to witnesses during the committee stage to better understand if there was demand for the position and if it represents good value for money.
Promoting Canadian art: Members expressed the hope that the visual artist laureate would promote art that honors Canadian soldiers, and that the position would ensure the work of indigenous artists and other undervalued artists are well-represented within Parliament.
NDP
Supports the bill: The NDP supports Bill S-202, which aims to create a parliamentary visual artist laureate to promote arts and culture in Canada. While supportive, members also emphasized the need for broader governmental support for the arts sector, particularly after the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Broader support needed: Members believe that while the bill is a positive step, it's insufficient to address the significant challenges faced by the arts sector nationwide. They argue that the federal government needs to provide more substantial and sustained financial support to restore and bolster the arts, especially in regions with vibrant artistic communities.
Prioritize life-saving measures: While not opposing the bill, members contrast the ready support for this symbolic legislation with the rejection of other bills, such as those addressing pharmacare and the toxic drug supply crisis, which they argue would have a more significant and immediate impact on people's lives.
Indigenous representation crucial: It is essential to ensure Indigenous representation when selecting Parliamentary visual artist laureates. Canada’s commitment to ongoing reconciliation must include Inuit, Métis and First Nations among its first Parliamentary visual artist laureates.
Bloc
Support for the bill: The Bloc Québécois supports the creation of the position of visual artist laureate for the House, drawing parallels to the existing position of poet laureate. The member believes the works produced will be a great source of inspiration.
Freedom of expression: The Bloc emphasizes the importance of ensuring the visual artist has as much freedom as possible in their work and that the position is not politicized, referencing past concerns about the politicization of art, such as discussions around the National Gallery's decolonization efforts and the Riopelle exhibition.
Recognizing diversity: The Bloc hopes the artist's work will reflect the diversity of Canada, including the presence of a francophone minority outside of Quebec and Quebec's own status as a francophone minority within Canada.
Support for artists: Creating this position sends a message to artists and is a good thing, especially considering the difficulties artists have faced during the pandemic, including event cancellations, funding problems, and psychological distress.
Liberal
Supports creation of laureate: The Liberal Party supports Bill S-202, which seeks to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to create a parliamentary visual artist laureate. This position would be similar to that of the parliamentary poet laureate and would promote the arts in Canada through Parliament.
Recognizing artists' contributions: The bill recognizes the significant contributions Canadian artists make to society and national identity, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, by breaking down barriers, fostering understanding, and offering creative outlets.
Promoting diverse expression: Creating a parliamentary visual artist laureate would celebrate Canadian visual arts and artists from diverse backgrounds, projecting an image of open-mindedness, creativity, and innovation both within Canada and internationally.
Arts enrichment for all: Establishing the laureate position will give new ways of seeing things, encourage transformations in how Canadians see themselves, promote a more complete and just understanding of the country's problems from other perspectives, and open opportunities for transformative experiences not just for legislators but for all Canadians.
Pursuant to order made earlier today, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at report stage of Bill S‑202, under Private Members' Business.
The question is on the motion.
Links & Sharing
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
