Hello, ladies and gentlemen of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Festivals and Major Events Canada speaks as the recognized voice of the festivals industry in Canada, and works closely with Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux, in Quebec.
These two associations together represent 45 events right across Canada.
As the only pan-Canadian organization exclusively comprising festivals and events in the country, the scope of FAME's thinking extends to all festivals and events of all sizes in every region and province. There are hundreds if not thousands.
In fact, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the room of one of our members, the Edmonton Heritage Festival, which puts together a true celebration of multiculturalism, and attracted an estimated 345,000 this past August. Jim Gibbon, the festival's executive director, is here with us today as an observer. This year, FAME has come up with a three-pillar plan to create a better business environment for all festivals and events in Canada by keeping them safe, helping them to grow and focusing on creation.
The first pillar of our plan has to do with security. Security costs at festivals have risen by 60% for members of FAME in the last five years alone in light of the increased risk of incidents at public events. This is why we are asking the government to provide additional funding in the amount of $10 million for the communities at risk security infrastructure program, and expand the program criteria to include festivals and events. Our recent meetings with Minister Goodale's team led us to think that it's possible to work closely together in ensuring that modern threats are handled with modern technologies.
The second pillar of our plan involves growth and development.
FAME wants the industry to remain competitive in order to attract international tourists, which is a booming market, and suggests a program designed to increase festivals and events that can generate more tourist and economic activity. I recommend a program with $20 million in funding per year, similar to current programs in Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario, to some extent.
We have had positive discussions with Minister Joly's team.
In 2011, in its evaluation of the marquee tourism events program, the Government of Canada concluded that the program had responded to the need for economic stimulus to the tourism sector. Today, we strongly believe that a similar program managed by regional development agencies, or by Destination Canada, would have a great impact that we can also measure precisely with studies like the one we conducted with KPMG on 17 Canadian events over the past year.
Finally, our third pillar revolves around culture.
While festivals and events have grown a lot, the budgets of the two Department of Canadian Heritage programs that support them have not increased in over 10 years, despite the fact that the funding in constant dollars is about 15% lower than what it was originally. As a result, these programs are under a lot of pressure and can no longer keep up with demand, which Minister Rodriguez could certainly confirm.
An administrator of the Canada arts presentation fund said that to say that the program is oversubscribed and cash-strapped is an understatement. The only option is for the CAPF to identify funding priorities and give deductions to existing clients. Unless the budget is increased, the CAPF will not be in a position to reverse this trend. We had hoped to receive an increase in last year's federal budget, but unfortunately this did not occur.
Like the Canadian Arts Coalition, we are seeking a major reinvestment in the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, which should be nearly doubled, as the budget of Canada Council for the Arts was. We are talking about $30 million, $20 million of which would go to the programming arts festivals and performing arts series presenters component. On top of that, we recommend adding $10 million for the community development through arts and heritage program.
If it makes this investment, the Government of Canada will be able to say that it has taken action on the entire cultural value chain during its mandate, from creation to exports, and including domestic presentation, which is currently the weak link.
On behalf of dozens of festivals, as well as events, organizations such as TIAC, and cities that support them, I ask you to keep our events safe, help them grow and focus on creation, and to include FAME's requests in your final report and recommendations.
Merci.