Thank you so much.
I'm sorry I'm not there with you today in person.
As you've already heard from representatives from the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada cultural spaces fund has been successful in supporting small and mid-size renovation projects, but doesn't have the capacity to support large-scale projects.
The cultural spaces fund can assist with the initial development of major capital projects, helping them with their feasibility studies and bringing them to shovel readiness. Then, the bilateral agreements have the resources to take these major projects to completion.
In consultation with our provincial colleagues at ArtsBuild Ontario, we have heard that trying to raise funds for cultural infrastructure is unpredictable and inconsistent, based on region and province. With a significant absence of parallel programs to the Canada cultural spaces fund at the provincial level, arts organizations are left in a compromised position of lobbying provincial governments for discretionary matching funds for their cultural infrastructure projects. Currently, the bilateral agreements are the only regulatory indication that the provinces need to consider cultural hub projects. Therefore, the Canadian Arts Coalition recommends that future provincial bilateral agreements be permanently required to include a broad consideration of new cultural projects.
In addition to challenges with the provinces, the federal government needs to better communicate with the municipalities about cultural infrastructure. Many Canadian municipalities are acutely aware of the importance of culture in sustainable development, and have designed complex municipal cultural plans and policies as a result.
For example, many municipalities allocate 1% to public art commissions from each dollar spent on public infrastructure to enhance their built environment, make their cities more attractive to tourists, and improve citizens' quality of life. Municipalities play a vital role in the development of cultural districts. It is therefore essential for the federal government to communicate with municipalities about cultural infrastructure.
Unfortunately, that municipal funding is inconsistent, especially in underserved communities. In consultations with our colleagues, the coalition has heard the need for more arts spaces and cultural hubs in rural and remote communities, among francophone minorities, and especially in indigenous communities.
For example, on Tuesday you heard from our colleagues at Qaggiavuut in Nunavut. A proposed performing arts centre in Nunavut is an excellent example of the urgent need that exists in underserved communities. Therefore, the coalition recommends that the Canada cultural spaces fund continue to prioritize underserved communities.
Next, our colleagues who run cultural and community hubs contribute to a sense of belonging in many urban centres. The coalition would like to draw attention to the fact that many of the existing hubs, including the dance centre in Vancouver, are struggling to remain open. Hydro and heating costs make it expensive to operate these vital centres, especially when the buildings include theatres, galleries, and studios, which have unique, specialized requirements in heating and lighting. This is a gap in the funding system that the members of the coalition want to bring to the government's attention.
To conclude, the Canadian Arts Coalition wants to thank the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for the opportunity to speak on the major complex topic of cultural hubs and cultural districts.
The coalition sees its colleagues at major arts organizations succeeding to build cultural hubs in urban centres, but a lack of opportunity for mid-size and smaller arts organizations to develop innovative hubs of their own.
In practice, the funding from the Canada cultural spaces fund cannot be fully effective unless municipalities and provinces come on board.
The Canadian Arts Coalition respectfully suggests that the federal government consider cultivating cultural districts and creative cities whenever it invests in infrastructure.
Thank you so much.