The Writers’ Union of Canada questioned politicians on their commitment to artists; two parties responded

"Recent cuts to federal funds and future support for artists has become a hot election issue because voters care about Canadian culture," said Writers’ Union of Canada Chair Wayne Grady. “I’m sure all parties will want to take a closer look at how they respond to writers, other artists, and all Canadians who want vibrant and economically successful art in this country.”

The Writers’ Union of Canada wrote to the heads of Canada’s five federal parties and selected cabinet ministers and critics asking for their positions on arts funding and recent cuts to important cultural programs. Two parties responded.

"Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office said they were forwarding our letter to the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry,” said Grady. “The Honourable Jim Flaherty’s office said the resources of an MP, including the Conservative Minister of Finance, could not be used for matters pertaining to a General Election, so they were sending the inquiry to the Conservative Party of Canada. Doug Ferguson, President of the Liberal Party of Canada, wrote and addressed each of our eight questions. We have not heard back from the other parties.”

The Writers’ Union strongly protested the $60 million in recent cuts to arts funding programs such as PromArt and TradeRoutes. “Those programs were an investment in our emerging and established artists and told Canada’s story to the world,” said Grady. "These funds had proved their worth as economic springboards, allowing Canada to compete in the global marketplace and have a presence on the international stage. We need to commit more money, not less, to ensuring a viable cultural identity in this country. Our artists, craftspeople and creative entrepreneurs deserve a secure living, which very few of them enjoy.”

The Writers’ Union has also encouraged its membership, comprised of more than 1,650 writers of books in all genres, to question their local federal candidates on their parties’ cultural policies and their own positions on supporting the creative community. The Writers’ Union is also calling attention to copyright legislation that will have a direct impact on creators, which was before the House of Commons prior to the election call.

"Political candidates who don’t believe Canadians value their artists, and are unaware that creators drive a huge portion of the economy, are out of touch,” said Grady. "Politicians and particularly the heads of the federal parties need to address the concerns of the vast number of Canadians who want to sustain and promote the cultural sector.”

The Writers’ Union of Canada asked politicians:

1. Does your party acknowledge that the federal government has a responsibility to invest in art and culture in Canada as it does in other sectors of national activity?

2. Does your party agree that artists, intellectuals, and cultural institutions contribute as much to the international image of Canada as athletes and business people do?

3. If so, what programs and policies will your party put in place to ensure that artists, creators, and intellectuals participate in Canadian foreign policy strategy?

4. Does your party intend to replace the programs dedicated to the internationalization of Canadian culture (PromArt and TradeRoutes)? Please provide specific details.

5. What does your party plan to do to stimulate and sustain the creative economy in Canada?

6. Is your party prepared to address the socio-economic needs of self-employed workers in the creative economy by finding ways to make the social safety net available to them?

7. New technology is affecting creators' rights in ways that deprive creators of compensation for use of their works. Is your party considering copyright law policies that will modernize our legislation and ensure that technology does not have a negative impact on creators' ability to earn a living?

8. Does your party intend to emulate Quebec’s policy of exempting a portion of income from copyright sources from taxation as an incentive for greater innovation and productivity?

The Writers' Union of Canada is our country's national organization representing professional authors of books. Founded in 1973, the Union is dedicated to fostering writing in Canada, and promoting the rights, freedoms, and economic well being of all writers. For more information, please visit www.writersunion.ca

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For additional information
Deborah Windsor, Executive Director
The Writers’ Union of Canada
416. 703.8982 Ext. 221
dwindsor@writersunion.ca