That troubles us, of course, because the arts sector is an under-funded sector in Canada. When these kinds of cuts are made to departments other than those directly concerned with the arts, it concerns us. That's why we're here. We're starting a campaign across Canada to meet with the MPs of all parties in order to demonstrate the obvious need that cultural organizations in Canada have for stable and sustainable funding. That's what's lacking.
Cuts have been made to programs intended for businesses that have to tour, for dance companies, for example, that travel a lot outside Canada. Cuts are being made to assistance programs, whereas these companies have already made and signed commitments. They can't go back on them. As a result, there are gaps in their budgets, and this contributes to underfunding and to this chronic problem. We didn't think this was a good way to manage in any economic sector in Canada whatever, but you'd think these ways of doing things are becoming systematic for arts and culture.