Canadian Heritage committee  I was discussing the situation of the artists the UDA represents. Between 2019, that is, before the pandemic, and 2021, the incomes of performing artists fell by 46%. I repeat: 46%. Since performing artists earn $16,000 to $25,000 a year, you can imagine what a 46% decline in inc

Canadian Heritage committee  …when a crisis such as this occurs or when economic challenges resulting in income losses arise. In conclusion, I believe we have barely started to understand what the worst long-term consequences of the pandemic will be for artists and arts and culture. I know I have enormous c

Finance committee  Yes, we were consulted on several occasions, before and after the election.

Finance committee  Yes, I believe that the government is sensitive to our concerns. I very much want to keep that connection, because it's important for us. It's good news that we have an open channel of communication and it must stay that way.

Finance committee  Exactly. What we need now are answers.

Finance committee  I will gladly do that. Thank you very much.

Finance committee  We have to be careful, because a lot of artists are not part of any association or any union. Those who are not represented are generally the most vulnerable, the ones who have no RRSP, no safety net, no insurance and so on. That is why, in our opinion, the Fondation des artistes

Finance committee  Unfortunately, I will never be able to talk to you about people leaving the sector. Neither will you actually, because you will never know who they are. I do not like talking about particular individuals, but if, say, Fred Pellerin had not started to write and had not managed to

Finance committee  I would have to give it some thought because I have not looked at that possibility from that angle. I can come back to you with a more specific answer. Instead of giving you a wishy-washy answer, I would really like to study the issue. I have asked myself the question as well but

Finance committee  You would have to ask Ms. Roy, because she managed the envelope on a discretionary basis. As I understand it, the envelope was hers and she decided to put $2 million into the fund and then, later, another $3 million. The first $2 million were spent very quickly. One month after t

Finance committee  Can you hear me better now?

Finance committee  I am sorry, Mr. Chair. Let me continue my answer to Mr. Lemire's question. At the moment, it is difficult to reach our members. You have to understand that a career has highs and lows, and that income levels are always a series of peaks and valleys. I will speak for the Union d

Finance committee  In my opinion, the consequences will clearly be devastating. The longer we wait, the more urgent the situation becomes and the worse the problem gets. Currently, it is very difficult to reach our members. Why? As you probably know…

Finance committee  I have been saying that since the crisis started. The Fondation is already organized, it's already in operation, the approach has been tested and there is an accountability mechanism. The foundation has been in existence for more than 35 years. Five million dollars have gone thro

Finance committee  Thank you for listening.