Thank you, Madam Chair.
Ladies and gentlemen of the committee, thank you for giving the Conseil québécois du théâtre the opportunity to contribute to this reflection.
My organization represents professional theatre practitioners and organizations in Quebec. We represent 310 individual, organizational and association members, comprising more than 2,000 people.
Today, I am joined by a member of our association, Rachel Billet of Théâtres associés, who speaks on behalf of theatre institutions and advocates for performance venues among her peers in Quebec across all disciplines of the performing arts.
The issue of the state of creative and performance spaces in Canada, as well as their role in supporting the next generation of artists, is crucial. Theatre institutions and specialized theatre presenters offer much more than just venues for performances: they provide spaces for artists and audiences to gather, meet and network.
We estimate that in 2024, there were approximately 4,588 theatrical performances in Quebec. They attracted 1.2 million people and generated $35.1 million in box office revenue. These venues serve as true incubators for the entire theatre ecosystem. However, their viability is endangered because they depend directly on the vitality of the creative forces that work there. That is why, before planning the future of our infrastructure, we must understand the reality facing the Quebec theatre community, which is operating under intense pressure.