Evidence of meeting #8 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Everyone is suggesting that.
Shannon, you suggested we increase the budget by $100 million per year. Is that what you said?
3:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Canadian Dance Assembly
I was speaking about the Canada Council for the Arts.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Exactly. So we would bring it from $180 million to $280 million, generally speaking.
3:55 p.m.
President, International Exchange for the Performing Arts
It is an independent organization. The peer jury and staff are already well acquainted with what international touring involves.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Are you aware of the announcement made today with respect to Les Grand Ballets Canadiens? Is there a direct impact?
4 p.m.
President, International Exchange for the Performing Arts
That is proof and direct confirmation of the fact that many companies, like Les Grands Ballets Canadiens… One company has come out and said so publicly, and I am convinced that in the coming days and weeks, many Canadian companies will find themselves in the same situation or will be forced to honour the agreements they have signed with foreign producers, even though that means incurring a deficit at the end of the year or being forced to shut down or fire staff.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
So, we can expect some closures, and perhaps even the demise of some--
4 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
--groups that are very important to us, as a result of these budgets cuts.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Okay.
As regards La La La Human Steps, at this point, have you had to cancel projects, are you afraid there could be short-term cancellations or do you sense any concern on the part of your international partners?
4 p.m.
Artistic Director, La La La Human Steps
Certainly, any tour takes two years to plan. As a result, it is pretty well impossible to factor in budget cuts that came about only a short time ago, compared to the two-year period over which our international touring schedule was developed. No, we have not cancelled anything so far, but there is no doubt that if it is more difficult to obtain funding to respond to opportunities that are available, we will also have more trouble honouring our commitments.
4 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Thank you very much.
First of all, I want to thank all of you for being with us today. It is wonderful to have you here.
We are here to talk about the Trade Routes and PromArt programs. The Minister of Canadian Heritage has often said in the House that these programs are ineffective. He has also made that statement to journalists in several interviews. And yet, the only two studies that exist on the Trade Routes and PromArt programs praise them to the skies, saying as well that it was too bad more could not be done. I believe 95 per cent of respondents said that if they could, they would make more use of the Trade Routes program, and 70 per cent were extremely satisfied with it. All agreed that this program had allowed them to explore new markets.
It was the same for PromArt. Departmental officials said that the program was very good the way it was, but that it might be a good idea to add an additional component to it, whereby they could make proposals, rather than simply waiting for grant applications to come in. As you can see, we are far from the kind of ineffective program Mr. Moore is talking about.
Mr. Rodriguez asked if you had taken part in any studies or if you had been consulted. They response was a chorus of nos.
Is there any other program available through Canadian Heritage or another department that could make up for the cancellation of Trade Routes and PromArt?
Let's begin with Mr. Paré.
4 p.m.
President, International Exchange for the Performing Arts
Are you referring to existing programs?
4 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Yes. Do you have access to other programs that could compensate for this loss?
4 p.m.
President, International Exchange for the Performing Arts
At Canadian Heritage, no. There are no other programs available at this time.
4 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Mr. Faucher, are there other programs out there for the theatre community?
4 p.m.
President, Conseil québécois du théâtre
There is the International Theatre Program administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, but it has only a tiny budget. The structure of it is fine, but financial resources are woefully inadequate.
4 p.m.
Bloc
4 p.m.
President, Conseil québécois du théâtre
It is approximately $100,000 at this time.
