Good afternoon. My name is David Baile. I'm the general manager of Opera Atelier here in Toronto. I'm also the secretary treasurer of Opera.ca, a service organization; it's the national voice of opera in Canada.
I'm very pleased to be able to address the Standing Committee on Finance. Opera.ca believes that arts play a vital role in the prosperity of our country's economy, and we value the opportunity to engage with you in this dialogue.
In the budget presented last May, the federal government acknowledged the contribution of the arts to our economy. With this recognition, they addressed the urgent need for arts investment by providing the Canada Council for the Arts with $50 million over the next two years. This is an excellent first step and is welcomed by the opera sector, and indeed the entire arts community. We'd like to thank the government and all parties for this clear demonstration of support.
I'd also like to echo the recommendations of others and stress the importance of securing stable and predictable long-term funding for the arts through the Canada Council. It is critical to the stability and potential of this sector that this welcome infusion be made permanent.
Opera.ca also urges members of this committee to further invest in stable, long-term funding to the Canada Council. Specifically, we are calling for an additional investment of $100 million over time.
The reasons for stable public investment in the arts are twofold. First, a federal investment provides the foundation and leadership to lever other funding from the private sector, other levels of government, patrons, and foundations. It is a linchpin in effective business planning and management of our volunteer-driven, not-for-profit companies.
Second, it allows for the inherent risk of creating and showcasing new Canadian talent. Risk is essential to artistic innovation, much as it is in business or science. The need for working capital and research and development activity is key to the advancement of all industries.
As members consider these recommendations, I wish to stress that I and my colleagues across Canada appreciate and recognize that the federal investment in the arts is only part of a healthy mix of revenue sources. For my own company, for instance, federal contributions represent less than 8% of our gross revenues; earned and other contributed income are by far the most significant sources for us. However, the federal investment is critical, and as a result, for each production we engage in excess of 100 professional artists and technicians, including 10 principal singers, 12 dancers, 20 chorus members, 30 musicians, and another 40 people behind the scenes.
The committee has asked us to address very specific questions about the role we play in the economic health and prosperity of Canadian citizens and businesses. Art is essential to the vibrancy of a rich and engaging way of life. The arts are a key partner of creating vibrant communities that attract investment, business, and competition.
Canada's future rests in the hands of its children and youth—cliché, perhaps, but unquestionably true. With the erosion of arts education in schools, there's a huge demand on arts organizations to fill the gap. Communities that offer artistic opportunities, such as Opera Atelier's “Making of an Opera” for youth, enable them to learn discipline, good values, teamwork, and leadership, and in turn create healthy communities. With this program in particular, Opera Atelier is now in the position that we turn away literally hundreds of youths because of a lack of resources.
Training in the cultural sector also affects Canada's prosperity. Artists and other professionals working in the field aren't typical employees. Opportunities for professional development and training are sporadic and scattered at best. It is for this reason that Opera.ca urges the government to move forward on the implementation of the labour market partnership agreement, a Canada-Ontario initiative.
Another of the committee's questions asked about securing Canada's competitive place in the world. My position at Opera Atelier has provided a unique window for me to see firsthand how the arts can open doors to business opportunities in Canada. Opera Atelier has toured internationally for years now, and in the past few years primarily to Asia. Two years ago, performing at the Seoul Arts Center, Opera Atelier set a record for single ticket sales. We've been invited back this year but still do not have confirmation of support from the Canadian government.
It is a paradox that the Canadian government is contemplating cuts to our foreign cultural diplomacy programs, when recently the United States announced an infusion of resources, tripling their commitment to these initiatives. It is with this experience at hand that Opera.ca urges the Government of Canada to ensure that it continues to sustain its DFAIT investment in ensuring that organizations like Opera Atelier have the opportunity to hold Canada's flag high in other parts of the world.
In closing, I would like to thank the committee for allowing me to be here today. I look forward to discussing our recommendations with you in detail. Thank you.