John Godfrey - Liberal

The Liberal Government is committed to supporting and promoting Canada’s artists and creators on the domestic and international stage. Support for Canada’s major arts institutions is a long-term objective of the Liberal government. The Liberal commitment to the arts is typified by our commitments to the Tomorrow Starts Today Initiative, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

In 2001, the Liberal Government announced the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative, which provides major support for Canadian arts and culture. Since its introduction, the initiative has provided almost $740 million to all aspects of the creative process.

On December 15, 2004, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that this initiative would be extended for another year with a budget of up to $192 million. Budget 2005 further extended $172 million of new funding per year for another four years, for a total of $688 million. This brings total new funding for Tomorrow Starts Today to $860 million over five years. This multi-year investment will help create stability within the arts and culture community by providing predictable levels of funding in the years to come.

On November 23rd, 2005, the Liberal Government committed $342 million over the next three years to increase funding for arts organizations throughout Canada. This type of investment helps build vibrant communities that contribute to the social and economic development of every part of Canada. The new funding will allow arts organizations in all regions of Canada to attain new standards of creative excellence and innovation and provide for artists' tours and shows, both in Canada and abroad.

The Department of Canadian Heritage offers a number of important programs to provide support to Canadian artists. One example is the Cultural Initiatives Program, which facilitates the involvement of artists from across Canada in over 150 national and international art festivals and special art events. Canadian Heritage also operates a national arts training contribution program, supporting national institutions that prepare young people for professional arts careers.

The Canadian Council of Arts, an arms-length government organization that fosters and promotes the study and production of works in the arts, is another key mechanism that supports Canada’s artists. In 2004, the Council distributed $132.3 million in grants and prizes to 6,100 artists and art institutions and 14,441 writers.

The Liberal government also recognizes that reduced taxes help ease the financial burden on low-income Canadians, including many of our artists. That is why the Liberal government, starting with Budget 2000, consistently implemented policies to reduce taxation. The tax rate for individuals who make less than $35,000 annually has now been reduced to 15percent.

Furthermore, Budget 2005 committed to the progressive increase of the basic amount Canadian’s can earn without paying federal income tax. By 2009, the taxation threshold will increase from $8,000 to $10,000. This will keep more money in the pockets of the Canadians who need it the most, including our artists and creators.

Sincerely,

John Godfrey Liberal Campaign
Don Valley West
122 Laird Drive, suite 201
Toronto, ON M4G 3V3
416-424-4687