Update on Canada/EU negotiations: the culture angle

CCA Bulletin 03/12

Some encouraging news concerning the status of culture in the on-going trade negotiations between Canada and the European Union! The CCA learned during the briefing session held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) that . . .

Copyright reform : the government fast-tracks the process

CCA Bulletin 02/12 February 15, 2012 Just the facts Bill C-11, known as the Copyright Modernization Act,  was adopted at second reading yesterday after the government imposed a limit to the debate last week. All opposition parties voted against, but the bill was adopted thanks to the government majority. Barely hours after the vote, the special Legislative Committee met to establish its work plan and once again, the government majority could overcome opposition parties’ objections and set a very tight agenda for the hearing of witnesses and...

What to expect with the return of the House in Ottawa?

CCA Bulletin 01/12 January 27, 2012 highlights federal legislation on the horizon: Bill C-11, new CRA guidelines for arts organizations and potential changes at the CRTC.

FROM THE DESK OF Alain Pineau: A little of this, a little of that . . .

CCA Bulletin 33/11 December 1, 2011 Well, this week has been a little different than others. For once, I was able to put aside my primary preoccupation of the last few months – the reinvention and financial autonomy of the CCA (I will come back to that at the end of this bulletin!) – to participate in other forums where the stakes were just as important. This started Monday morning with a half-day session on the importance and the challenges of public broadcasters. This event was organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as...

Federal budget: Economic and Fiscal Update and the Second Set of Supplementary Estimates

CCA Bulletin 32/11 November 17, 2011 Just the facts Last week, the government released its Update of Economic and Fiscal Projections. One main message emerged from the document:  owing to continued weakness in the global economy, downward revisions for economic growth in Canada and considerable economic uncertainty going forward, the government will not return to fiscal balance until 2015-2016, a year later than projected in Budget 2011. This does not alter the seriousness and resolve of the government to adhere to the Strategic and Operating...

FROM THE DESK OF Alain Pineau: Time for an update!

CCA Bulletin 31/11 November 15, 2011 How time flies! This fall is particularly busy for all of us: I’m not not sure exactly why, but it seems that everyone is running on an accelerating treadmill! So it is time again to keep you posted on a number of current files. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Let’s start with the negotiations between Canada and the European Community. I participated in the briefing session organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on October 28. The main issue concerning...

Bill C-11, the Legislative Committee Has Been Struck

CCA Bulletin 30/11 October 31, 2011 It is Halloween: what could be more terrifying than to speak of copyright! So here is the bulletin promised in our last missive. Just the facts Several names were circulating for a few days and as per its obligation to name committee members within five days of the start of the second reading debates, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs has established the Legislative Committee on Bill C-11. The committee is made up of 12 members and cannot begin its work before the House passes the motion...

Cultural funding: where will the axe fall?

CCA Bulletin 27/11 September 12, 2011 Just the facts The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) today presents its analysis of the 2011 federal budget, which was adopted in June by the 41st Parliament, further to the May general election.   Like last year, this year’s budget analysis reveals that overall, federal funding to the cultural sector remains stable, which has more or less been the case since 2006 under successive Conservative minority governments. While the CCA characterized this ‘holding pattern’ as reassuring last...

The CCA urges the government to invest in a renewable resource: culture

CCA Bulletin 26/11 August 11, 2011   Just the Facts Today, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) submitted its 2012 pre-budget submission to the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Finance. In consultation with our membership, we encourage the government to maintain and if possible, increase its investments in Canadian artistic creativity, a renewable, non-polluting natural resource that contributes greatly to the economy, to our quality of life and to our standing in the world. Tell me more The CCA has taken a reasoned...

Canadian programming: the CRTC returns to regulation

CCA Bulletin 25/11 August 8, 2011 The CRTC requires private English television service providers to support the production of domestic programming, including “programs of national interest” such as drama or comedy series, documentaries and awards shows that promote Canadian culture. Following the group-based licence renewal process, the CRTC now requires Bell Media, Corus Entertainment and Shaw Media to devote at least 30% of their gross annual revenues to Canadian programming production. The majority of these funds go towards...