Trade Routes was indeed launched in November 2001 as a trade development program designed for the arts and cultural sector, including the performing arts, visual arts, crafts, design, film, television, sound recording, publishing, heritage, and new media. It was established to ensure that Canadian arts and cultural exporters had the same kinds of export services and business opportunities that were available to other priority sectors of the economy. It supported both profit and not-for-profit in the arts and cultural sector preparing to export and sell Canadian artistic work and cultural products in international markets.
Somebody mentioned earlier, maybe it was Mr. Del Mastro, that the Canada Council really does support artists. At the Department of Canadian Heritage we do not have a direct support route to artists because we prefer the arm's-length peer review opportunity of the Canada Council. But we do help cultural businesses. We help them export their goods, and that was why the Trade Routes program was originally created.