The Writers’ Union of Canada monitors candidates on their commitment to artists

With voting day on the horizon, Canadian artists have kept the pressure on political candidates because we know we have the strong support of ordinary Canadians, states Writers’ Union of Canada Chair Wayne Grady. “The Prime Minister sparked a major debate, and the public has responded to artists’ efforts to keep arts funding high on the election radar. These last days of campaigning will see politicians drilled on how they plan to help arts and culture entrepreneurs make a secure living in Canada.”

Recent statistics peg Canadian arts and culture as an $85 billion a year industry, accounting for 7.5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. Employment numbers show 1.1 million people employed directly or indirectly in the sector, with average annual earnings coming in at a level of $23,500 in 2004 dollars. A study released in March 2005 shows average Canadians spend almost as much money on books as they do on newspapers and watching movies. The latest released figures show Canadians spend more that half a billion dollars on trade books alone and 35 per cent of that amount is on Canadian books.

"Income averaging, tax breaks on copyright or royalty earnings, and stronger support for artists’ families and their health needs should all be at the forefront of party platforms and candidate commitments,” said Grady.

The Writers’ Union strongly protested the $90 million in recent cuts to the arts and wrote to the heads of Canada’s five federal parties and select officials asking for their positions on funding arts programs. The Liberal Party of Canada responded to the questions posed, and replies were received from Conservative Party members. The other political parties have indicated support for cultural programmes in their campaign speeches, but so far have not responded to our questionnaire.

The Writers’ Union 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 cultivating the creative community.

"Before people head to the polls, politicians better believe that voters want to know who is making the biggest commitment to sustaining and promoting the creative economy, and who will help Canadian artists compete in the global marketplace. It’s not only good business, it’s how Canada presents itself to the world,” said Grady.

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