Torchbearers from the Coalition for the Future of Spectacle, which represents broadcasters, show programmers and festival organizers, gathered at the Cabaret du Lion d’Or on Wednesday concerned about the state of federal funding for broadcasting shows.
The two main funding programs intended for them, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) and the Development of Communities through Arts and Heritage (DCAP), have not been reviewed since 2007 and are in danger of being ignored by the Trudeau government.
“The last federal budget surprised us all,” said Frédéric Julien, director of research and development at the Canadian Association of Arts Organizations (CAPACOA).
Frédéric Julien, director of CAPACOA, Julie-Anne Richard, general director of the Rideau Entertainment Presenters Association, Martin Roy, general director of FAME and Jon Weisz, general director of the SMAQ network at a press conference. MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
“The federal government has been silent about the future of FCPA funding,” added Julie-Anne Richard, the general director of the Rideau Entertainment Presenters Association.
If the status quo remains, “recipients of grant programs could be deprived of $8 million per year in subsidies,” Mr. Julien added, pointing out that as of today, “even if you add additional funding from 2019, FCPA funding, adjusted for inflation, is already 4% below the 2003 benchmark when the program was launched.
Therefore, on April 1, the FCPA could be 25% below the 2003 threshold.
“A customer who received $109,000 in 2014 will receive the maximum amount this year, $61,700. Taking inflation into account, he would have $137,000. In current dollars we are 40% below, while in constant dollars we are 55% below,” argued Martin Roy, director general of Festivals and Major Events (FAME).
“This cannot continue like this!” the director exclaimed at a press conference.
“The cultural sector is bearing the brunt of the combined impact of inflation and labor shortages. […] Financial imbalances will not be without consequences for the entire channel, as between 70 and 75% of the revenues of multidisciplinary channels are paid to producers and artists,” recalled Ms. Richard.
“An investment in the broadcasting sector is a real contribution to the strength of the Canadian economy, provinces and regions,” the director general also recalled, emphasizing that during the shows, on average, almost $ 60 per viewer was returned to the local economy in ticket price .
In catch-up mode
The Coalition for the Future of Entertainment is calling on the government to quickly commit to permanently integrating the two funding programs into the budget base and developing them so that they are the subject of a “real catch-up process”.
Recall that Ottawa Treasury President Anita Anand has asked all federal ministries to jointly commit to $15 billion in cuts before October 2nd.
Currently, the coalition has not addressed the issue of pressure tactics.