I just want to explain the impact of cancelling the PromArt Program. I am referring here to page 6, the introduction.
Through PromArt, federal government support for touring projects undertaken by a dance company would represent 10 per cent of their operating budget. Investments by the company itself would represent 20 per cent of its operating budget, and the Quebec government's contribution would be 15 per cent. That gives you an idea of the kind of financial package that has to be put together in order for a company to access the international market. Given the removal of the 10 per cent portion of its total funding that came from the PromArt Program, the company will now have to invest 30 per cent of its operating budget. Thus, in the very short term, the company's production cycle will be disrupted. The financial planning for a production cycle begins three or four years in advance. It involves the creative work, the touring activities, touring income, investments made by co-producers, investments in the creative work, and so on. Companies will now have to choose between honouring their touring contracts—and having to reduce the budget for their next creation—and deciding to engage in no creative work whatsoever for the next two years. Obviously, that will mean they have to lay off performers and no longer hire technicians, and designers, and possibly even shut down altogether, as they will no longer be able to continue their activities.